Initial USF Postgame Notes

[Brad]

Courtesy USF

No. 12/16 USF Bulls vs. FIU Panthers

USF 17, FIU 9

Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008

Miami, Fla.

FIU Stadium

Individual Notes

- Captains for the game were Tyrone McKenzie, Jake Griffin, Marc Dile and Brouce Mompremier. Griffin has been a captain in all four games, while this marks McKenzie's third, Mompremier's second and Dile's first in the role.

- Dontavia Bogan earned his first career start for USF, which opened in a two tight end, two wide receiver set.

- Sophomore Trent Pupello pulled in a 14-yard reception, the first of his career, as USF got off the goal line with 10 minutes left in the first quarter.

- In the first quarter, sophomore Mike Ford rushed for his 15th-career touchdown, giving USF the 6-0 lead. He added a second rushing TD in the fourth, upping the Bulls' lead to 17-0. The 16 career rushing TDs moves him into sole possession of seventh in the USF career record books, moving ahead of Pat Julmiste (2003-06), who had 14. The four TDs this season lead the team.

- True freshman Cory Grissom, from LaGrange, Ga., made his USF debut as a defensive tackle in the third quarter.

- Senior Brouce Mompremier was taken off the field in an ambulance in the third quarter after he collided with Carlton Williams making a tackle. The Bulls intercepted a pass from FIU QB Paul McCall in the first play after the game resumed.

- R-Freshman Keith McCaskill recorded his first-career pass breakup when he batted a pass from FIU QB Wayne Younger in the fourth quarter.

- In the first quarter, junior QB Matt Grothe surpassed the 1,600-yard career rushing mark. In the game, he collected 48 yards on 11 attempts to increase his career total to 1645 yards on 422 carries in three seasons at USF. He also recorded his 500th career completion, a 30-yard pass to A.J. Love in the first quarter.

Team

- With tonight’s win, USF improves its all-time record – while in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) – to 55-30 and 83-47 all-time since beginning football during the 1997 season.

- USF’s win over FIU gives them a 4-0 start for the third time in the program’s history ... The Bulls also accomplished the feat in 1998 (5-0) and 2007 (6-0).

- In the first quarter the Bulls reeled off a 99-yard scoring drive on 13 plays in 5:19. It was the longest drive (yardage) of the season and second-longest in terms of time. Previously, the longest plays were a 73-yard drive against Kansas and a 5:55 drive at UCF.