Great coverage in the Tribune

[79 Bull]

One good thing about these weekday games - 2 FULL pages on USF with the major headline "Hall, Bulls Pour It On".  4 articles plus the notes/wrapup column.

[Velcro]

Hall, Bulls Pour It On

By BRETT McMURPHY bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com

Published: Nov 4, 2004

 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - When South Florida visited Legion Field last season, the Bulls wilted and were dominated in the second half.

This time, the Bulls were the second-half bullies, shocking Alabama-Birmingham 45-20 Wednesday night before a crowd of 9,220.

Trailing 20-10 in the third quarter, USF scored 35 consecutive points, including a record 28 fourth-quarter points.

``I don't know what happened,'' USF coach Jim Leavitt said. ``We just got going.''

Andre Hall got going was one reason - rushing for a school-record 275 yards and two touchdowns. The Bulls' much-maligned defense slowed down UAB quarterback Darrell Hackney, while USF quarterback Pat Julmiste threw for 186 yards and two scores, including a momentum- changing 77-yard touchdown to Johnny Peyton.

``I feel my play was the play of the game, at least that's what my teammates said,'' said Peyton, whose score gave USF a 24-20 lead.

USF (3-4, 2-3) was an 18 1/2- point underdog, making this the second-biggest upset in school history. Only a 35-26 upset in 2001 at Pittsburgh as 23-point underdogs was bigger.

``This is huge, but we still have a lot of work to do,'' USF senior defensive tackle Lee Roy Selmon Jr. said.

``Our team had struggled ever since the second half of the Army game,'' Leavitt said. ``It was difficult. Before the game I didn't know if we were ready or not, to be quite honest. We just played hard.''

The win was only USF's fifth in 30 games when trailing after three quarters and halted a three-game losing streak.

``The chain is broken,'' USF offensive tackle Derrick Sarosi said. ``Coach [Greg] Frey says one bad thing leads to another. The chain is now broken.''

With USF trailing 20-17, UAB was inside the Bulls' 10 and appeared ready to pad its lead. However, cornerback Mike Jenkins stripped UAB wide receiver Roddy White near the goal line and strong safety Danny Verpaele recovered and returned it to the 6.

``There's no doubt in my mind that was the turning point,'' USF co-defensive coordinator Wally Burnham said. ``For the first time in a long time we played with a lot of enthusiasm after that.''

Six plays after the fumble, Julmiste hit Peyton for the 77- yard touchdown.

Given up for dead after an upset loss to Army - that even prompted some fans to suggest getting rid of Leavitt - and a rout the following week at Louisville, USF is suddenly back in contention for its first bowl berth in school history.

``Hopefully this is that win that turns everything around,'' USF senior captain Alex Herron said. ``Maybe we can look back at this game and say this was it.''

Hall, who carried USF's offense in the first quarter, had touchdown runs of 35 and 63 yards in the final seven minutes.

``He's relentless,'' Leavitt said.

Despite 29 carries, Hall said he could ``go another quarter.''

``This win is big,'' Hall said. ``This win helps out the heart.''

The victory avenged last year's 22-19 home loss to UAB that eliminated USF from bowl contention. It came four days after USF's captains called a senior-only meeting to salvage the season.

``We talked about how we have to pick this team up. We're seniors, we have to lead,'' USF senior safety Javan Camon said. ``If we believe in each other, that's all we need. We don't worry about what other people say. We're the ones that are going to do this.''

The Bulls' defense sacked Hackney five times - two by Terrence Royal and one each from Tavarious Robinson, Curtis Chance and Ramon McCullough.

``If we would have lost the game it would have been a big blow,'' said Julmiste, who led the Bulls offense to a season- high 504 yards.

[Velcro]

Gipson's Pick Ends Drought

Published: Nov 4, 2004

 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - South Florida only has two interceptions this season, but both have been returned for touchdowns.

CB Bruce Gipson's 39-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter Wednesday night was USF's first interception since the season opener against Tennessee Tech.

Gipson's interception ended a streak of 177 consecutive passing attempts by opponents without an interception.

USF entered the game tied for last in the nation with Ball State with one interception. USF has had two interceptions by Javan Camon nullified by pass interference penalties, including one in the third quarter.

Against Tech, CB Trae Williams scored on a 37-yard interception return. The school record for fewest interceptions in a season is nine in 1999.

LAND OF THE GIANT: At this summer's Conference USA media days, USF C Alex Herron met UAB QB Darrell Hackney for the first time.

Hackney is 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, so Herron figured he was a linebacker or defensive end.

``I asked him what position he played,'' Herron said. ``He said, `quarterback.' I said, `What position?' ''

Hackney is the biggest quarterback USF has faced since Kentucky's 6-4, 275- pound Jared Lorenzen in 2000.

FIRST TIMERS: USF freshman DT Curtis Chance, of Dixie Hollins, didn't wait long to make an impact in his first start. Chance sacked Hackney for a 3-yard loss on UAB's first play.

Chance injured an ankle in the second half and didn't return.

Freshman LB Ben Moffitt and junior DE Jon Simmons, of Clearwater Central Catholic, also made their first starts. Senior NT Lee Roy Selmon Jr., who had arthroscopic knee surgery Oct. 20, returned to the starting lineup.

On offense, freshman WR Johnny Peyton, of Pasco, made his first career start. He replaced junior WR Joe Pain, who was a late scratch because of a pelvis injury.

Peyton, who dropped a touchdown pass against Army, dropped another TD pass in the second quarter when he got behind the Blazers' secondary. Peyton made a juggling 47-yard catch to set up a TD and had a 77-yard scoring reception in the fourth quarter.

REUNITED: UAB DBs coach Shawn Raney was well aware of what to expect from USF RB Andre Hall.

Last year, Raney was defensive coordinator at Butler County (Kan.) Community College and Hall played at Garden City Community College. Butler won both meetings, but Hall made quite an impression on Raney.

``He sure is a good back,'' Raney said.

REDSHIRT GONE: Freshman DT Richard Clebert made his first appearance of the season Wednesday.

Clebert is one of six true freshmen who have played this season and can't be redshirted. The others: Chance, Peyton, WR Marcus Edwards, SS Danny Verpaele and RB Andre Copeland. USF officials, however, are expected to seek a medical hardship for Copeland, giving him an additional year of eligibility.

ODDS AND ENDS: Wednesday's game was only the second time in USF's history the Bulls played in rain. The first was a 17-10 victory against Southwest Missouri State in 1999. ... USF unknowingly made Legion Field history last year against Alabama. Because Legion Field's east upper-deck stands were recently condemned, Alabama never will play another game at Legion Field - making USF the Crimson Tide's last Legion Field opponent. ... OL Bobby O'Dell, who suffered a broken foot for the second time in five months, has quit USF's team.

Brett McMurphy

[Velcro]

Peyton Doesn't Let Opportunity Slip Away

By ADAM ADKINS aadkins@tampatrib.com

Published: Nov 4, 2004

 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Freshman wide receiver Johnny Peyton knew he was on the verge of making a name for himself at South Florida, but he also knew it was for all the wrong reasons.

Midway through the second quarter of Wednesday night's 45-20 Conference USA victory against UAB, Peyton let a sure touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Pat Julmiste slip through his fingers, the second one he had dropped this season.

``Yeah, I was [making a bad name for myself],'' Peyton said. ``It was like I was scared of the end zone. I mean, I make good catches for first downs, but every time I should have scored [i'd drop it].''

However, the Pasco High- product redeemed himself in the best possible way by hauling in a 77-yard touchdown pass from Julmiste early in the fourth quarter, which turned out to be the winning score in the Bulls' victory against the Blazers at Legion Field. It was Peyton's second collegiate touchdown reception.

``It was real nice to bounce back from the miss I had earlier,'' Peyton said.

Before Wednesday's game, Peyton probably was most known for letting a pass slip through his fingers in the Bulls' 42-35 loss to Army at Raymond James Stadium. Though his coaches and teammates repeatedly tell him to forget about mistakes made on the field, Peyton instead chooses to remember them.

``I never forget those. Never. Some people say forget it, but I feel [remembering drops] makes me determined to work harder,'' he said.

Peyton added an acrobatic catch on USF's first possession of the second half that helped set up a Bulls touchdown. On second-and-9 from the Bulls' 35-yard line, Julmiste aired it out for Peyton down the left sideline. Both Peyton and UAB cornerback Bobby Keyes jumped for the ball, and after it was initially tipped, Peyton was able to gain control and get both feet in bounds for a 47-yard catch. He finished with two receptions for a game-high 124 yards, a career best.

Peyton wasn't the only freshman wideout to get into the end zone. Jackie Chambers, who shares a room with Peyton on road trips, caught his first collegiate touchdown and the first of Julmiste's two touchdown passes on the night, a 38-yarder with 1:18 left in the half.

``We made some big plays with Johnny Peyton and Jackie Chambers,'' quarterbacks coach Rod Smith said. ``The freshmen stepped up real big, and that helps [Julmiste] with his confidence.''

Smith was pleased with the way the passing game, especially the deep ball, came through against the Blazers after USF put up just 67 yards in the Bulls' loss to Louisville.

``It's fantastic because it gives you a sigh of relief that finally something is clicking,'' Smith said.

[Velcro]

USF Salvages Its Season With A Splash

MARTIN FENNELLY

Published: Nov 4, 2004

 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Nothing says college football quite like South Florida at UAB on a rainy Wednesday night at historic Legion Field. Bear Bryant's ghost wore water wings.

For some reason, the buzz held that this was one of the biggest games in UAB football history. Huh? USF was 2-4, armed with the nation's 106th-best offense and a defense that had allowed at least 30 points in four of its six games.

But those really were ESPN2 cameras. The reason for the excitement, we learned, was that a UAB win would be the Blazers' sixth, making them eligible for a bowl game for the first time.

Well, they didn't make history.

Neither did the Bulls.

Instead, they avoided the first four-game losing streak. Uh, that's putting it mildly. They saved their season is what they did. More than that even.

How about a stunning school- record 275 yards rushing from Andre Hall?

How about another record, 28 fourth-quarter points?

How about defense? And defense. And defense.

It was hard to believe Jim Leavitt's team had been that close to shaking hands with the devil, not after they stampeded from behind for a runaway 45-20 victory. There were more than a few clouds during Wednesday's game. Some carried rain, others reality. In the end, the night was bright and sunny.

Anything Seemed Possible

There were many reasons to believe in this team on this night. We forgot the collapse against Army and the embarrassment at Louisville. We stopped focusing on what the Bulls aren't and saw what they can be.

They're still just 3-4, but six wins and bowl eligibility at least seem possible again. Not probable - possible.

Anything seemed possible while watching Hall, who scored the last two touchdowns, first from 35 yards away, then from 63.

And there was some poise from Bulls sophomore Pat Julmiste, who has seemed so very lost this season, especially during the three-game losing streak. Julmiste ran for one touchdown and though he completed only seven passes, he threw two for long TDs - to freshmen Jackie Chambers and Johnny Peyton.

And there was the USF defense, crushed by Army and Louisville in consecutive weeks, but which mostly shut down UAB's high- scoring offense, hampering strong-armed Blazers quarterback Darrell Hackney and his favorite target, Roddy White, who led the nation in average receiving yards with 126 per game.

True, the rain was torrential at times. Maybe the elements contributed. But the Bulls defense was an element, too. A big one. And they made big plays.

UAB was up 20-17 and driving for another touchdown when USF cornerback Mike Jenkins forced a fumble inside the 5-yard line. Teammate Danny Verpaele recovered. A few minutes later, on third- and-11, Julmiste found Peyton behind the UAB defense for 77 yards and the go-ahead score. A few minutes after that, USF's Bruce Gipson picked off a Hackney hack pass and ran 39 yards for another touchdown. Hall drove the final two nails.

Sign Of Good Things To Come?

UAB apparently couldn't wait for USF to hit town. The Blazers were coming off a stunning 59-55 loss to Tulane. UAB's defense was looking for a little feel good. ``South Florida is going to be in for a rude awakening,'' UAB senior cornerback Bobby Keyes told a Birmingham newspaper.

This normally would have been bulletin-board material for USF, though they couldn't have pinned it to a wall in 70-year-old Legion Field, because the wall would have collapsed. The old joint is so creaky its upper deck has actually been condemned by Birmingham authorities.

The Bulls brought down the house anyway, so much so that you forgot that the record is just 3-4, that there are no guarantees in the four games to come. Bowl game? This season could still come out looking like a swoon.

But there went Andre Hall. And the defense. There went the Bulls. Finally. It rained again after the game. As if they felt it.

[Ricky the Bull]

The only negative was that they had a picture of Javon missing a tackle on a UAB RB and identified him as Anthony Severino, who also wears the same number.

Hopefully, they'll print a correction.

[MikeG]

ODDS AND ENDS: Wednesday's game was only the second time in USF's history the Bulls played in rain. The first was a 17-10 victory against Southwest Missouri State in 1999. ...

Brett McMurphy

One other error-- it was Southwest TEXAS State in the rain game he is referring to here. That game will be etched in my brain forever-- and makes you understand why 9000 some odd people chose to watch from under cover during a monsoon. Sure didn't help them look any better as far as a crowd. Must have been a miserable game to watch if you were a UAB fan.

EDIT:

Good points below about the number of rain games we've actually played. FAU, Bowling Green (still have some of their ponchos), USM, and for some reason I recall one of the early away games was pretty wet as well (The Citadel or was it Elon?-- Brad would remember). There were some others that had drizzle at points-- nothing like that monsoon last night-- maybe he meant our records in monsoons where we kept playing on the field.

Brett gets a pass on this type of stuff though-- not just because he's a good writer-- but also because the media guide ONLY lists the Southwest Texas State game as "USF IN RAIN (1-0)". There is also the possibility that he didn't write that portion-- it is the "odds and ends" section.

[ChiTownBull]

didn't it rain during the bowling green game?

[ChiTownBull]

Hall, Bulls Pour It On

By BRETT McMURPHY bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com

Published: Nov 4, 2004

 Ã‚ 

Given up for dead after an upset loss to Army - that even prompted some fans to suggest getting rid of Leavitt - and a rout the following week at Louisville, USF is suddenly back in contention for its first bowl berth in school history.

did he get this from the board?

[79 Bull]

It rained during the FAU game - wasn't it delayed due to lightning?

The rain stopped at kickoff for both bowling green and the first southern miss home game.