Big Three? Big deal. Bulls bounce FSU

Posted Sep 26, 2009 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Sep 26, 2009 at 07:46 PM

TALLAHASSEE—Big Three? Big deal.

After the University of South Florida defeated No. 18 Florida State 17-7 Saturday, there should be no debate anymore: USF is unequivocally a member of the state’s elite programs.

The only question remaining: is FSU still in the Big Three?

Making his first career start in his hometown before the second-largest crowd in USF history, USF freshman quarterback B.J. Daniels threw two touchdowns and rolled up 341 yards of total offense.

“A very historical win,” USF coach Jim Leavitt said. “To me, it changes history. I don’t think there’s any question about it. I’ve been on the record, clearly saying you have to beat one of them (FSU, Florida and Miami).

“I know we’ve only won one game (against them). We haven’t done what those guys have, they’ve won national championships.”

The Bulls (4-0) were two-touchdown underdogs but dominated the Seminoles (2-2), outgaining FSU 368-288, thanks to Daniels and a dominating defense that forced five turnovers and sacked FSU quarterback Christian Ponder five times.

“This is not like a wild, wild upset,” Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher said. “They are a good team.”

While the Bulls have beaten higher ranked opponents before, Leavitt said this was the biggest victory in the program’s 13-year history.

“Oh yeah, I don’t think there’s any question,” Leavitt said. “You go to a traditional team like this is their stadium and beat them. And really beat them. It wasn’t a fluke. This was the biggest win for South Florida.”

Florida State coach Bobby Bowden acknowledged the Bulls surprised him.

“Boy, I tell you what, they are a whole lot better than I thought,” Bowden said. “They’re good. They beat the heck out of us.”

In the first half, Daniels threw touchdowns of 8 yards to Ben Busbee and 73 yards to Sterling Griffin as the Bulls took a 14-0 halftime lead.

“He was great,” said USF wide receiver Theo Wilson, whose 77-yard pass from Daniels set up USF’s first touchdown. “He just needs to calm down. If he calms down and keeps his composure that boy can take us a long way.”

In the second half, Daniels struggled somewhat, in part to USF’s lousy field position and also because he was suffering from cramps. He was nearly sent to the locker room to get fluids, but remained in the game.

“It was my first start,” Daniels said. “They would have had to carry me out.”

For most of the afternoon, the Bulls’ defense did the heavy lifting. USF forced four turnovers and kept the Seminoles, who had rolled up 54 points at BYU last week, scoreless until Ty Jones’ 3-yard run with 13:35 remaining in the game.

But don’t blame USF’s defense, that score was set up by Greg Reid’s 63-yard punt return.

“Our kids played relentless for 60 minutes,” said USF’s first-year defensive coordinator Joe Tresey, who received a postgame hug from Leavitt that likely crushed his ribs. “If we can play with that effort every week, we can put ourselves in position to be competitive for the Big East championship.”

USF’s defensive stars were plenty: Sabbath Joseph caused two fumbles, Jason Pierre-Paul had three tackles for loss and a sack, Craig Marshall had two sacks and George Selvie had two tackles for loss and a sack.

“I don’t like to brag,” Joseph said, “but you tell me: ‘Is this Big Three the Big Four now?’ I’d say so.”

FSU quarterback Christian Ponder threw for 269 yards, but was sacked five times. FSU was limited to 19 yards rushing with its longest run from scrimmage only 15 yards.

“This is as sweet as it gets,” said Pro Football Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon, who is president of the USF Foundation.

Added Leavitt: “These kind of things don’t happen all the time. But they did today.”