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Forum: Talk Bulls
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Here’s the game story in Friday’s Tribune from USF’s loss. I guess there was something to my research. There were several poor performances tonight - the offense, defense, poor tackling, special teams play, coaching (did I leave anything out)? This week, I was being ridiculed by Bulls fans for ranking USF below USC and Georgia.
Should USF even be ranked in the Top 25 after this? A three-point win vs. Kansas, two uninspiring wins vs. UCF and FIU and a blowout of N.C. State. Anyway, here’s the game story, for those interested.
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For the second consecutive season, the University of South Florida appeared on ESPN’s coveted Thursday night telecast with a chance to solidify itself as a national title contender.
Both times they failed.
The No. 10 Bulls were upset 26-21 by Pittsburgh, which entered as a two-touchdown underdog, before an announced crowd of 50,307 at Raymond James Stadium.
The loss not only killed any longshot national title hopes for the Bulls, but perhaps, more importantly, derailed their hopes of winning their first Big East title.
Behind the running of LeSean McCoy (28 carries, 142 yards), the Panthers (4-1, 2-0 Big East) overpowered the Bulls (5-1, 0-1).
Last year, No. 2 USF opened 6-0 before losing 30-27 at Rutgers.
“I’m not gonna go to the grave right now,” USF coach Jim Leavitt said. “We’re 5-1, we didn’t play well. We have to find a way to play better, that’s reality.”
The reality of USF’s early schedule was that the Bulls had dominated against three of the nation’s nine worst offenses. Against the Panthers, they were the Pitts. McCoy, who was held to a career-low 55 yards last year against USF, had his ninth-career 100-yard rushing day as the Panthers racked up 374 yards.
“Defensively we didn’t play very good, offensively we didn’t play very good and special teams were not very good,” Leavitt said. “When that happens, you don’t win.”
Trailing 20-14 in the fourth quarter, the Bulls marched 86 yards in nine plays behind the running of Mike Ford for the go-ahead score. Ford had six carries for 54 yards on the drive, culminating with Matt Grothe’s 22-yard pass to Jessie Hester for a 21-20 lead with 5:57 remaining.
However, the Panthers needed only three plays to regain the lead. Delbert Alvarado’s kickoff out of bounds gave Pitt the ball at the 40. Stull hit Oderick Turner for 38 yards, McCoy busted a 19-yard run to the 3 and the sophomore running back scored on the next play for a 26-21 lead. Pitt’s two-point conversion failed.
“Kicking the ball out of bounds is bad,” Leavitt said. “They just needed three plays and got in the end zone. It was a flurry. We didn’t tackle. We didn’t play disciplined defense. They outplayed us.”
With 4:43 remaining, the Bulls went three-and-out. Pitt took over with 3:28 remaining and ate up all but the final 22 seconds.
Grothe managed to get off a Hail Mary from midfield at the buzzer, but the football crashed to the turf – along with USF’s unbeaten season.
USF was limited to 245 yards – 219 yards below its season average. Grothe was 11-for-21 for 129 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Bulls are now only 10-9 when Grothe throws an interception and 13-0 when he doesn’t.
Ford had 73 yards on 14 carries.
Stull (16 of 28) threw for 228 yards, including a 52-yard touchdown to Jonathan Baldwin.
“We broke down in the secondary too many times,” Leavitt said. “Our pass defense has been very poor. Poor defense, poor tackling, that doesn’t look like a team that will beat a good football team. We have to figure out a way to get better, play better football.
“We weren’t in sync offensively all game. The same with the defense. We were real poor at the end. We were so up and down.”
Posted by Tom Sabol, Tampa on 10/04 at 11:04 PM
Chris, Florida: I’m not sure what is more sad; A hater like you wasting that much time and effort on USF chat or the fact that whatever team you follow, kicked you out of their chat. Why did they kick you out? Did they kick you out because you’re a putz or because you’re an idiot!
dt: I’m not drinking the Kool Aid. I knew what kind of team we had. Before the season, I actually felt Pitt would be a tough game even at home. The thing is that I am, along with most on posting here, a die hard fan. I don’t go to other team posts because I don’t care about those teams. You and Chris should go on a date you sound perfect for each other.
Posted by Kathy Sawyer, Largo,Fl on 10/04 at 01:14 PM
We need a new OC- for those who doubt it, look at GG’s comment We have no offensive scheme- no scheme=no offense to me. Let Grothe leave the pockeet, he’s not a pocket passes.
Posted by dt, on 10/04 at 09:38 AM
Hey Omar,
The only losers are the USF fans who don’t know a good thing when they have it.
Posted by JT, tampa on 10/03 at 10:55 PM
Chris,
I thought I saw you the other day, turns out it was just a used tampon. Get a life you loser.
Posted by Nabeel Mulla, Dayton, OH on 10/03 at 02:24 PM
Uh, Chris...eat crow? I’m not sure what you mean. Check my score prediction in this week’s picks contest. I’ll save you the trouble. It was Pitt 30 - USF 26. I believe I was the only one to pick Pitt in the upset. That doesn’t mean that USF doesn’t have a quality team and program. Pitt would manhandle UCF, if that’s who you pull for. USF lost a game, just like half of the other top-10 teams have done this season. Get over it and move on.
Posted by Chris, Florida on 10/03 at 02:18 PM
Maybe USF fans should take a step back off their high horses and realize that they haven’t WON ANYTHING yet, had a few nuce upsets sure, snuck up on a few teams...but now teams that are equally big underdogs are exposing you...only USF doesn’t have the long proud tradition of football winning that most schools do so good luck winning back the trust of the ratings pollsters...maybe they’ll wait till you’ve actually won the Big LEast conference before they give you credit again. Better hope WVU and Louisville don’t restock too quickly!! It was my birthday yesterday and USF gave me the best possible present..THANKS FOR COMING THOUGH IN THE CLUTCH!!
Posted by Chris, Florida on 10/03 at 02:17 PM
The way you guys defend the run, i easily see losses to Louiville, UConn, oh and lets not forget that run happy offense of WVU waiting for you at the end of the year. And then there’s that road game at Cincy too..hmm...8-4 i think if you’re lucky...the Meineke Car Care Bowl awaits. Maybe you’ll get your wish and get to face Miami earlier than expected...that would be interesting. As a fan of football i would tell Mompremier to not risk coming back for this team....its not going to be worth the embarrassment and heartbreak.
Posted by Chris, Florida on 10/03 at 02:16 PM
That would have qualified for one of the biggest chokes all time if not for the fact that last year’s tailspin would be hard to match anyway. Not to mention the creampuff schedule USF plays should automatically prevent any game they lose being called an upset. #211 ranked Stoney Brook College of the Blind called to say they are licking their chops. Oh and Ryan, what Non Conference powerhouses does USF have on its schedule?? Kansas??? Please..lol...they’ll be embarrassed by the first REAL football team they play so don’t worry...you USF junkies won’t be alone as the laughing stock of the Top 25 for long...people will forget about you soon enough...just like last year.
Posted by Chris, Florida on 10/03 at 02:14 PM
To JT, Nabeel,Eric S, MadBullFan, and all you other Kool-Aid drinking trash talking regulars...time to EAT CROW!! How does it taste by the way...for the second year in a row no less!! Pretty nasty i would imagine. Time to put down the plastic cups, take off the rose colored glasses, pull your heads out of the sand, wake up and smell the coffe beans and realize what practically everyone else in college football has long ago. USF is “not who they think they are”....especially after being over-hyped and falling flat on their faces on national T.V.(love that it was on a Thurs..no other games for FB junkies to be distracted by!!) for the second year in a row!!! Classic!!
Posted by Chris, Atlanta on 10/03 at 12:46 PM
No matter what offensive coordinator USF has the offense will still depend on a QB that can’t see over the defensive line. I finally realized last night why we never throw short to the middle of the field. If the D contains Grothe in the pocket the offense is in trouble.
Posted by Patrick O'Rourke, D.C. on 10/03 at 12:28 PM
Jon…
I don’t want Leavitt gone...love the man. Perfect, he is not...but who among us is?
No, I don’t want Leavitt fired, I want him to finally understand it’s okay to dismiss—or heck, even DEMOTE—assistants if things aren’t working out.
Now, if we’re having this same discussion five years down the road, THEN you might hear me calling for Leavitt’s job.
Posted by Omar, tampa on 10/03 at 10:49 AM
Patrick,
You are right on! I couldn’t agree with you more.
dt, you are a loser who is afraid to put your real name on your post. If like talking so much smack tell us who you are you coward.
Gregory really needs to go...he stinks...no offensive points in the first half...nice work!
Posted by Jon McKee, SRQ on 10/03 at 10:41 AM
Pat -
If you think we can do better, then please remind me not to put you on the search committee. Regardless of their on-field success, USF has not matured in the athletic department, the alumni (booster) base, the total budget, etc. as fast.
Give Leavitt credit for exceeding our expectations. Frankly USF has overachieved on the field.
My frustration is when he does develop a decent assistant they get hired away, and pretty quick. Burnham is the exception. There has been so much turnover in his assistants, which I think is a reflection of the economics, not him. Some of these kids have had a different position coach every year.
Top 10 programs have Top 10 assistants and thats the bottom line.
Posted by Patrick O'Rourke, D.C. on 10/03 at 10:28 AM
Jon…
You say Leavitt isn’t to blame...his assistants are.
Who is responsible for the hiring & firing of the assistants. Yep....Leavitt.
He’s NEVER fired an assistant, and he NEVER will. He’s loyal to a fault, and it continues to hurt this program. Greg Gregory never should have been hired, but Leavitt never wants to hire outside the program unless there is no other choice. That’s a BIG mistake.
In the end, it all comes down to the head coach.
Posted by dt, florida on 10/03 at 10:05 AM
Go back to playing UCF, FIU, FAU. Those are the only teams you can beat, but probably not for long.
Posted by Momma Bull, Orlando on 10/03 at 09:52 AM
First I will start with Go Bulls, but…
1. On the Offense, why did Grothe shut down? He didn’t even attempt many passes after the interception. Try, try again Grothe. We need you desperately.
2. Unfortunately the Defense was on the field for way too much time, but it was disheartening to see Pitt run down the field and score during the 4th quarter in only four plays.
3. And now for the fans, STOP booing and yelling out bull@#*@. We have more class than that. What an awful thing to hear when you have Bowl representatives present.
4. It is time for Levitt to earn his salary. We must not go down the same road as last year with 3 losses in a row. Do your job and motivate this talented team to victory!
Go Bulls!
Posted by Chris, Atlanta on 10/03 at 09:47 AM
I am sorry but DW didn’t out coach anyone. He pulled his starting quarterback on the 3rd drive that has lacked confidence all year after a beautiful 50 yard touch pass to put in his backup that promptly resulted in a 3 and out. His team let the same player shoot the same gap on 2 out of 3 punt attempts to block a punt, 0 adjustment until the block. He altered his defense at the end of the game to allow USF to run the ball easily and drive straight down the field.
As previously stated with a decent team and sticking to a relatively simple game plan USF just isn’t that hard to beat.
Posted by Jon McKee, SRQ on 10/03 at 09:46 AM
Where are Mike and Trae? Murph and Tyler Roberts were just awful against the run. A cardinal rule in run support for a CB is to never let the runner get outside of you, turn them back into the field and your help - just awful. And Tyler, God bless you, you need a coach dude, I don’t think you could cover your own shaddow right now without a penalty.
And what the hey?? Where were the safties on those plays? I think the front seven are playing OK, but the secondary was in total disarray last night. Who’s the coach?
I read here posters calling for Leavitt’s head, get real people he’s the best thing to ever happen here and will be for a long, long time. What he needs is quality assistants who hang around for a while.
Posted by Chris, Atlanta on 10/03 at 09:33 AM
Another 9-3 season ahead. The only thing left to determine is if we play a BCS conference foe in a bowl game we won’t be prepared for or a non-BCS foe we can overwhelm with our talent.
It isn’t that hard for opposing coaches to figure out how to beat this team. On defense blitz up the middle neutralizes Grothe and rhythm finesse offense. On offensive rush up the middle and mix in some misdirection that neutralizes our team speed on D.
Posted by Wayne W, on 10/03 at 09:26 AM
"Kicking the ball out of bounds is bad” Wow! We are sure lucky to have such a great football mind. Sorry Bulls fans but with Leavitt at the helm, we will NEVER win a conference championship. Will might have the occasional upset win but with the Bulls playing undisciplined, unimaginative football, every season will be what might have been.
Posted by Eric S, Tampa, FL on 10/03 at 09:12 AM
Our offensive line looked terrible all game except for the drive that was 99% Mike Ford. They finally started to block.
The special teams let us down again. The line did not block the defense, which allowed another blocked field goal. That kick off out of bounds was a problem as well.
Posted by Patrick O'Rourke, D.C. on 10/03 at 09:02 AM
FireGregGregory.com is still available.
Anyone? Anyone??
Posted by Doug Currier II, Columbia, SC on 10/03 at 08:48 AM
1)What was with Alvarado’s kick-off out of bounds? While there were many plays that cost the Bulls the win, that was one mistake that was very preventable, at a critical time. Kick-offs need to go in one place - the end zone. Hope Teachey gets well quick.
2) The old discipline problems are back - running into the kicker, pass interference, hitting out of bounds, etc. - Football 101.
3) When the pressure and sacks are coming up the middle, roll out - roll out…
4) The personnel losses in the secondary are showing - for a couple of games now.
5)Last night’s USF team can’t beat UConn and probably not Cincy, WV or UL on the road.
6) Schizophrenic, manic - what’s the best term?
7)Beat by a better team - ok. Beat youself, not so much.
Posted by Hector Jimenez, Forsyth, GA on 10/03 at 08:47 AM
All that said...USF has accomplished a lot recently and come a long way.
USF can still win the BE even after this disappointing loss....maybe it will refocus this team on what their goal is again...as UCF did last year after their loss to USF.
USF has a long way to go to be considered a consistent top 25 school but it is slowly getting there.
Bring on the Cuse!
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Posted by Chris, Florida on 10/06 at 09:28 PM
Love that new article after the game on how AGAIN USF fan’s were being called out by their own for horrendous behavior during the Pitt. loss. Stay Classy Trampa!!