Bulls Going for Best Regular Season Record

[E.T.]

Published: Saturday, November 24, 2007

south florida

Bulls Going for Best Regular Season Record

By Rick Brown

The Ledger

The University of South Florida Bulls football team is pretty much assured of a bowl bid with its victory last week over Louisville. Still, a big part in where USF will land can be determined following today's game at Pittsburgh. Yet, bowl bids aren't the only thing on the minds of USF players.

The Bulls (8-3, 3-3 Big East) will try to tie their best record for wins in the regular season in today's noon game (Channel 28).

"We know what's at stake in this game," said USF quarterback Matt Grothe (Lake Gibson). "There are some big bowls we have a chance to go to - Gator Bowl, Sun Bowl, and some other big-named ones. It is going to be a matter of just winning this game and seeing what happens."

Although Pittsburgh (4-6, 2-3) is having a down season, it has won two of its last four games. USF is not taking the Panthers lightly.

"Statistically, they're one of the best defenses we've played against all year," Grothe said. "They are only giving up right at 300 yards a game and not allowing teams to do much."

Pitt has a lot to play for as well.

The Panthers need a win today and next week against West Virginia to become bowl eligible.

Pittsburgh is ranked ninth nationally in total defense (303.7 yards per game), and junior linebacker Scott McKillop leads the nation in tackles per game (12.4).

"Getting ready for our last game this year is a great challenge," said USF coach Jim Leavitt. "They've got an outstanding football team. Playing up there, at their place, it's going to be a great challenge for us."

Leavitt wants USF to play like it did in last week's 55-17 rout of Louisville.

The Bulls took the lead eight seconds into the game on a fumble recovery on the kickoff for a touchdown. Running back Mike Ford had his second consecutive 100-yard game and USF tied a school-record by forcing seven turnovers. It was 41-10 at halftime and the Bulls cruised from there.

"Our defense played really well," USF defensive end George Selvie said. "It was really great shutting down that offense."

Pittsburgh is led offensively by running back LeSean McCoy, who is averaging 112.5 yards per game, second in the Big East. True freshman Pat Bostick is likely to start at quarterback. He is seventh in the Big East in passing, averaging 141.9 yards per game.

"(The Panthers) have a great offensive line, big offensive linemen," said Selvie, who is two tackles for losses from setting an NCAA single-season record. "(They have) a great running back I saw. We just have to shut him down. If we shut him down most likely we will shut down the whole offense."

Meanwhile, only USF itself has seemingly been able to stop its offense.

The Bulls have gained at least 400 yards of total offense in six of its last seven games. Grothe doesn't expect that to change today.

"This is one of those types of defenses that we fair well against," he said. "We should produce a lot this week."

[ Rick Brown may be reached at rick.brown@theledger.com or at 863-802-7569. ]

[On_the_Chip]

They can definitely do it today.........but man, it's cold out there.  I hope our team can look past the cold to play their game.

[E.T.]

I think the cold and field conditions will keep them focused on the task at hand.

Go BULLS !!!

[MikeG]

most wins in regular season would be a tie

they cannot beat the top record since that was 9-2 in 2002

one could argue about how strong the competition was then but sometimes records really are not all that important anyway

[raz7943]

most wins in regular season would be a tie

they cannot beat the top record since that was 9-2 in 2002

Exactly, headline is deceiving...Still have shot for most wins (10), but the 9-2 percentage would still be higher.

[mikebeau]

most wins in regular season would be a tie

they cannot beat the top record since that was 9-2 in 2002

Exactly, headline is deceiving...Still have shot for most wins (10), but the 9-2 percentage would still be higher.

10 wins and this season is a huge success despite the midseason stumble

[TRUTH D. Antagonist]

watching the Leavitt show on 28 now...  why did he say the Bulls have "never won 9 games in the regular season" ?

2002?

[MikeG]

watching the Leavitt show on 28 now...  why did he say the Bulls have "never won 9 games in the regular season" ?

2002?

because he is a terrible coach /smazza

[MikeG]

that was pretty bizarre that he forgot about his only 9 win regular season

[smazza]

Published: Saturday, November 24, 2007

south florida

Bulls Going for Best Regular Season Record

By Rick Brown

The Ledger

The University of South Florida Bulls football team is pretty much assured of a bowl bid with its victory last week over Louisville. Still, a big part in where USF will land can be determined following today's game at Pittsburgh. Yet, bowl bids aren't the only thing on the minds of USF players.

The Bulls (8-3, 3-3 Big East) will try to tie their best record for wins in the regular season in today's noon game (Channel 28).

"We know what's at stake in this game," said USF quarterback Matt Grothe (Lake Gibson). "There are some big bowls we have a chance to go to - Gator Bowl, Sun Bowl, and some other big-named ones. It is going to be a matter of just winning this game and seeing what happens."

Although Pittsburgh (4-6, 2-3) is having a down season, it has won two of its last four games. USF is not taking the Panthers lightly.

"Statistically, they're one of the best defenses we've played against all year," Grothe said. "They are only giving up right at 300 yards a game and not allowing teams to do much."

Pitt has a lot to play for as well.

The Panthers need a win today and next week against West Virginia to become bowl eligible.

Pittsburgh is ranked ninth nationally in total defense (303.7 yards per game), and junior linebacker Scott McKillop leads the nation in tackles per game (12.4).

"Getting ready for our last game this year is a great challenge," said USF coach Jim Leavitt. "They've got an outstanding football team. Playing up there, at their place, it's going to be a great challenge for us."

Leavitt wants USF to play like it did in last week's 55-17 rout of Louisville.

The Bulls took the lead eight seconds into the game on a fumble recovery on the kickoff for a touchdown. Running back Mike Ford had his second consecutive 100-yard game and USF tied a school-record by forcing seven turnovers. It was 41-10 at halftime and the Bulls cruised from there.

"Our defense played really well," USF defensive end George Selvie said. "It was really great shutting down that offense."

Pittsburgh is led offensively by running back LeSean McCoy, who is averaging 112.5 yards per game, second in the Big East. True freshman Pat Bostick is likely to start at quarterback. He is seventh in the Big East in passing, averaging 141.9 yards per game.

"(The Panthers) have a great offensive line, big offensive linemen," said Selvie, who is two tackles for losses from setting an NCAA single-season record. "(They have) a great running back I saw. We just have to shut him down. If we shut him down most likely we will shut down the whole offense."

Meanwhile, only USF itself has seemingly been able to stop its offense.

The Bulls have gained at least 400 yards of total offense in six of its last seven games. Grothe doesn't expect that to change today.

"This is one of those types of defenses that we fair well against," he said. "We should produce a lot this week."

[ Rick Brown may be reached at rick.brown@theledger.com or at 863-802-7569. ]

4-3 big east record is nothing to be proud about