HT: USF needs 2 to bowl

[Brad]

USF needs 2 to bowl

Hoping for six wins, the 4-5 Bulls play host to Memphis today in their C-USA farewell.

BY ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT

TAMPA -- For the University of South Florida football team, it's a playoff atmosphere.

Beginning with their 11 a.m. kickoff today against Memphis, the Bulls have two regular-season games left and must win both to become bowl eligible.

Both games are in the friendly confines of Raymond James Stadium and both will played before a nationally televised audience. There is also plenty of incentive for this year's seniors to become the first to play in a bowl game for the 8-year-old program.

Memphis is a 31/2-point favorite and the Bulls will be bigger underdogs next week against Pittsburgh. USF (4-5, 3-4 C- USA) is not wearing a favorite's cape in its last Conference USA game before switching to the Big East next season.

With youth comes inconsistency and mistakes. USF's immaturity has been exposed with defensive breakdowns, particularly in pass coverage. On offense, its receivers make spectacular catches and then drop easy throws.

Meanwhile, Memphis (7-3, 4-3) comes to town with DeAngelo Williams, the nation's fifth-ranked rusher with 157 yards per game. He leads the country in rushing touchdowns with 19 and averages 5.9 yards per carry.

But after Cincinnati quarterback Gino Guidugli burned USF for 377 yards last week in a 45-23 Bearcat win, the South Florida defense has a lot more to worry about. Memphis quarterback Danny Wimprine ranks third in the conference in passing, averaging 243 yards per game.

Memphis has scored 40 or more points six times this season and is second in the conference, averaging 36.4 ppg. It ranks second in C-USA in total offense per game (464).

USF's best defense might be a running game that can take time off the clock. South Florida junior Andre Hall is ninth nationally in rushing (126.4 yards per game), fifth in all-purpose running and is now the Bulls' single-season rushing leader with 1,238 yards.

In USF's favor, Memphis has already clinched a bowl bid and its defense has been known to disappear at times. The Tigers' secondary has been frequently burned this year, but unfortunately for South Florida, quarterback Pat Julmiste has been extremely inconsistent.

The USF passing offense ranks last in the conference; Julmiste is the only starting quarterback in the league completing less than half his passes (88 for 190).

Bulls notebook

USF head coach Jim Leavitt took some of the blame for last week's fiasco at Cincinnati where Guidugli completed 30 of 36 passes.   "I don't think there is any question we asked our guys to do more than what we would normally ask this group," he said. "It probably got to be just a little too much for our guys." … Senior safety Javon Camon (Charlotte High) is the only Bulls defensive back to start every game this season. … Freshman cornerback Willie Phelps (Booker High) has left the team for undisclosed reasons that have the USF coaches baffled. … Safety Johnnie Jones (Booker) will apply for a redshirt fifth year. … Williams and Hall rank first and second in C-USA rushing. … The Bulls have added Florida A&M to their home schedule for next season when Big East foes West Virginia, Louisville and Cincinnati will also visit. … This is the first time since 1976 that Memphis has back-to- back seven-win seasons. … USF has won two straight against Memphis and is 2-1 overall against the Tigers.

[bullsmania]

USF needs 2 to bowl

Hoping for six wins, the 4-5 Bulls play host to Memphis today in their C-USA farewell.

With youth comes inconsistency and mistakes. USF's immaturity has been exposed with defensive breakdowns, particularly in pass coverage. On offense, its receivers make spectacular catches and then drop easy throws.

The Tigers' secondary has been frequently burned this year, but unfortunately for South Florida, quarterback Pat Julmiste has been extremely inconsistent.

Ain't this the truth!

[bulls96go]

we also drop ez passes

[ChiTownBull]

we also allow big runs on defense

[Apis Bull]

No bowl for Bulls