Love finding his place at South Florida

[ChiTownBull]

http://www.bradenton.com/sports/story/808241.html

By RYAN T. BOYD - rboyd@bradenton.com

Leavitt was fuming.

"Coach Leavitt really showed me that I wasn't ready when I got here," the former Southeast High standout said. "I wasn't used to running full speed from point A to point B and everywhere in between. He told me, 'If you don't want to run full speed, then maybe this isn't for you.' I think he was trying to get me in the right mindset to do everything the best I can."

Love is up to speed now.

This fall, coaches and players are raving about Love's progress and the potential he brings to a loaded USF receiving unit.

Love, a 6-foot-2, 202-pound redshirt sophomore, added 10 pounds of muscle over the summer and runs a sub 4.4 seconds in the 40.

More importantly, Love has improved his nutrition, works hard in the weight room and is a film room junky.

"He's the most improved receiver we've had," USF passing game coordinator Mike Canales said. "His progress in the summer is unheard of right now. He's having the best camp of all the guys. He works on the little things that will help him get to the next, and he's on fire right now."

Love is quickly becoming quarterback Matt Grothe's favorite target.

"He's going to be a dang good player this year," Grothe said. "He's got size. He's got speed, and he has great hands. He's done a heck of a job this summer and the fall. He's going to be a playmaker."

Last season, Love had eight receptions for 111 yards and one touchdown. But he had trouble holding on to the football.

On his first college reception against Cincinnati at Raymond James Stadium, he fumbled deep in Bearcats territory. Two games later against Louisville, Love fumbled on the goal line.

Those were his only two fumbles of the season, and Love said he took the miscues as learning experiences.

His fumbles weren't because of a lack of effort.

"It comes with game experience," Canales said. "It was a freak thing in the Louisville game. He was just trying to make a better effort. It was the same thing in that Cincinnati game. Those things happen to good players, but he's gotten past that and has moved on."

The Bulls' receiving corps is arguably the team's most improved area heading into the season opener against Tennessee-Martin at 7 p.m. on Aug. 30 at Raymond James Stadium.

USF's receivers are bigger, stronger and have more experience than a year ago.

Canales said Love will see significant playing time as part of a six-man rotation.

There's no doubt Love will give an all-out effort.

"What happened with coach Leavitt always sticks in my head," Love said. "The coaches already told me they are looking for me to make plays. Right now, I've been making big plays, and I always play until the whistle (is blown)."

[Sunil]

Gotta "love" it... (cue the pun-police)...

[ChiTownBull]

Gotta "love" it... (cue the pun-police)...

or "I'm lovin it" with that awful micky d's jingle

[ChiTownBull]

though the best is

[BullyPulpit]

I can hear the band now after each touchdown:

"All you need is Love. All you need is Love, Love. Love is all you need."