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Bulls bomb under Thursday night lights - again
Posted By Brett McMurphy at Oct 02, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Updated Oct 02, 2008 at 10:56 PM

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.”

Send Us Your Comments

Posted by Hector Jimenez, Forsyth, GA on 10/03 at 08:44 AM

My take:

1. USF is good team, nothing more or less. They will become a great team when they win most games they are supposed to and stop playing down to competition (UCF & FIU).

2. USF does not know how to handle the weekly pressure that comes with BCS teams and especially ranked ones. Why be so hyped for NCSt. but play completely flat at home against a conference opponent? Consistency!

3. Simple mistakes constantly place this team in losing postions or bad situations....bad start but good finish against KU and horrible penalties and bad plays by individuals and the SP-teams unit against PITT.

4. USF lacks a “killer” instinct and a consistent level of play...when they achieve that then they can be considered a great team.

Posted by jeffrey saff, annapolis/baltimore, md on 10/03 at 08:17 AM

Some thoughts:

1.USF cannot handle being ranked in the Top 10.

2. In college FB, it is virtually impossible to run the table.

3. USF gets a break by facing ‘Cuse after break. USF will be mad and will thump SU.

4. We need a big time runner to go along with a big time qb. Also, no more RB by committee.

5. IF USF goes 5-2 in Big E., I will be happy.

6. Old bugaboos, give up huge yardage to big time back + weak kicking game.

7. USF in good 1 loss company with UF, USC, UGA.

Posted by clay, tampa on 10/03 at 07:58 AM

How about only playing on Saturday’s from now on? These short weeks are not what the Bulls need to get ready.

Plus you never see the real big boys like Oklahoma, Texas, UF, Georgia, or LSU playing on Thursday night. And, I’ll bet USC never plays a Thursday night game again.

With games at UL and Cinn within five days of one another USF is at a severe disadvantage. Better scheduling is needed in the future!!

Posted by JT, tampa on 10/03 at 07:49 AM

Sorry for the double post.

Gregory really needs to go after this season.

Posted by JT, tampa on 10/03 at 07:44 AM

USF was completely outcoached by DW. They lost this game in the first half and the play calling was horrific as usual.

CJL has no clue on how to use timeouts. With one minute left in the first half and Pitt going to attempt a field goal CJL let the clock run down to 20 seconds instead calling a timeout with one minute left. Poor clock management again to end a half.

Also, on the last play of the half, instead of taking a knee, Gregory has B. William run the ball. What if he fumbles? Williams isn’t going 70 yards on the last play of the half. Get a clue!

With CJL getting 1.5M I except more!

Posted by JT, tampa on 10/03 at 07:29 AM

USF was completely outcoached by DW. They lost this game in the first half and the play calling was horrific as usual.

Also, on the last play of the half, instead of taking a knee, Gregory has B. William run the ball. What if he fumbles? Williams isn’t going 70 yards on the last play of the half. Get a clue!

Posted by dt, florida on 10/03 at 07:08 AM

A lot of empty seats for a number ten ranked team...oh, I forgot...your not number ten anymore. The BIG EAST is a BIG WASTE...definitely not BCS caliber.

Posted by Joel, Wesley Chapel on 10/03 at 07:01 AM

CJL is not the second coming. How many more meltdowns do we need to realize that we have a MAJOR problem with coaching. Our teams come on the field completely unprepared to be competitive in big games.
Being ranked can not be the goal of fans, we need to expect bigger things. This coaching staff does real well at bringing players to USF, but when it comes to game preparation and adjustments, they STINK!

Posted by Tom, Tampa on 10/03 at 06:36 AM

Would really like to start some tradition but when you are in a stadium that plays crappy music over the band striking up the fight song is just one of many reasons we need to get out of RJS. Sorry for the soap-box beginning.

Also, how many more times is CJL going to the the ?KICKER? muff. When we started on the 40, it was like we hadn’t just scored on 72 yard drive. The crowd lost it and I think I heard crickets. That hurt.

Ready to see a feature back instead of the five back mix. When Ford got going he was bashing heads. I’m no coach but don’t most good runners improve throughout the game. Pick a back coach.

Go Bulls!

Posted by Nabeel Mulla, Dayton, OH on 10/03 at 06:24 AM

More points:
USF had a chance to win right up until the last play of the game. That, in conjunction with the injuries along the D-line and linebackers, plus facing one of the nations top RB’s, was a recipe for a tough game. Under the circumstances, the defense should be commended. They were on the field for a long time thanks to our offensive woes. Tyller Roberts did have a horrendous game though. Hopefully he learns from it and bounces back.
Final point is that Grothe seems to be stuck in the pocket (by design) too much this season. His moving around opens up the rest of the offense.

Posted by Ed Laugen, Dunedin, FL on 10/03 at 06:14 AM

USF had a decent chance to get to the national title GAME because of being in a sub-par BCS conference this year. They were never a title CONTENDER. USF could have feasibly ran the table and climbed to number 2 only to get their butts served to them on a platter by Oklahoma. USF has a decent football program, especially considering their brief history. They are certainly not a top-notch team yet. I almost wish they would not have started in the top 25. The expectations are unfair, and it’s painful for the fan to watch the team drop. USF has the POTENTIAL to be great, but that does not make them great NOW. Like last year, we got served another helping of humble pie. Hopefully, this year, USF cuts down on the servings.

Posted by Nabeel Mulla, Dayton, OH on 10/03 at 06:13 AM

A few points:
I doubt anyone in the BE will end up with less than 2 losses, so it’s still anyone’s to win.
Pitt was underrated and should be back in the top-25 this week.
USF was not overrated and should be ranked somewhere around #15 this week depending on other outcomes (Georgia, Auburn, Boise St, Wisconsin & Utah probably will jump USF with wins).

Posted by david m, Jupiter on 10/03 at 05:26 AM

Gregory and Delbert Alvarado need to go. No question about it. I think after Gregory son grads this year, he will leave on his own.

Posted by See No Evil..., Florida on 10/03 at 05:00 AM

You imbeciles get on Brett because he was reserving adoration until the Bulls played further into their schedule..?? Looks like he was being generous with his rankings after watching this meltdown on national T.V. With any luck everyone tuned out to watch the Utah/Oregon St. game..not likely. Does this mean that powerhouse football school UConn is going to have to carry the banner for the Big LEast this year??? Let’s see..if USF can’t beat Pitt home...should we assume losses on the road at UL, Cincy, and WVU?? Can USF possibly beat UConn even at home if they can’t beat Pitt??? What bowl do you get with a 7-5 record??? Wait ..i found it...the Mieneke Car Care Bowl..wooohooo!!

Posted by See No Evil..., Florida on 10/03 at 05:00 AM

FRAN i congratulate you on the correct spelling of abysmal...MADBULLFAN...well lets just hope you never attended USF with that grammar. Just a hint...but that little red line under your words means you probably got a D or worse in English Comp. 101. Let me see...coaching sucks..defense sucks...offensive play calling sucks..special teams sucks. You guys act like you barely beat 2 of the worst teams in the BCS..UCF and FIU....oh wait...they did!! All of a sudden the LOWLY Pitt Panthers should be ranked??? Why don’t we just pencil them in for the NC game while we’re at it???

Posted by Brett McMurphy, on 10/03 at 01:35 AM

JoeF, USF absolutely can win the Big East with one loss. The Bulls, obviously, would have to run the table and need Pitt to lose at least two games or hope for a three-way tiebreaker with another team. Pitt is 2-0 with both wins on the road. They still must go at UConn and at Cincy and they host West Virginia, Rutgers and Louisville.

Posted by Brett McMurphy, on 10/03 at 01:27 AM

MadBull, No. 21 is Theo Wilson, he did not play with a knee injury. Leavitt said his return for Syracuse would be a “minor miracle,” so don’t expect him back until probably Louisville on Oct. 25. A lot of people are slamming Gregory, but Leavitt dictates what offense is run. Gregory calls the plays, but does not necessarily have total control of the offense. Ford does not start because he does not do the necessary things required in practice. Whatever Ford is or isn’t doing in practice isn’t what the coaches want. Also on USF’s last TD drive, the Pitt coaches said USF changed its blocking schemes. That’s what they attributed Ford’s success on that drive too, for what it’s worth.

Posted by Joe F., Tampa Bay on 10/03 at 01:22 AM

Why can’t a one loss USF win the Big East title??

I doubt any team will go undefeated in the Big East.

It does stink that the Bulls lost BUT remember, some of our key defensive players were out or hurt (and Pitt only won by less than a TD). I see Pitt losing 1-2 more games on their schedule.

I was VERY disappointed that USF lost but they can still have a great season and go to a good bowl game (with one loss).

Stay positive with the Bulls.

Posted by Brett McMurphy, on 10/03 at 01:17 AM

Fran, Roberts certainly didn’t have a good game. Before the season the question was how would USF replace Jenkins and Williams. Tonight, shows how good those two were. JCM, don’t think Leavitt will hire a special teams coach anytime soon. Allen, all I heard from USF fans was how bad Pitt was - before the season - and after losing to Bowling Green. Pitt’s wins this year: Buffalo, Iowa, Syracuse (not exactly murderers row). Oregon State lost on the road to No. 15 Utah by 3 after arguably its biggest win in school history. That’s not that bad. USF probably will stay ranked, but who knows. Like you said, though, it doesn’t matter.

Posted by MadBullFan, Orlando on 10/03 at 01:11 AM

My Solutions: Better offensive play calling, more use of Mike Ford (and not shotgun draws, he is a power runner and he can’t catch speed on a draw, plus he has to run an extra 3 yards on top of the short yardage we may need), and a new punt returner and we will win the rest of our games. Defense is solid and eventhough they had a off night, that is unusual (Plus Pitts running back in future NFL talent for sure). However, with our offense you never know what to expect. Also, get ready for teams to start going after Tyler Roberts. We are better than Pitt and it is a shame that we didn’t show it on national TV.

Posted by MadBullFan, Orlando on 10/03 at 01:10 AM

I agree with the 2 previous posts. Gregory has to be the worst offensive coordinator in the country. We need a replacement. Play calls are bismal, especially in clutch situations. We have such good talent on offense, it is a shame it does not show. And why doesn’t Mike Ford start and play more often. I am also calling for #21(don’t know name, but he is good) to return punts, not Marcus Edwards. Edwards is a good WR, but not a good PR. I don’t think he will ever break one against a good 1-A team.

Posted by Allen Brown, Tampa on 10/03 at 12:03 AM

Yes, we should be ranked. 5-1. Come on. Pitt should be ranked as well. They have recovered from their loss to Bowling Green. There are a lot of ranked 1 loss teams now.

It’s like you are trying to rub in the fact that people disagreed with your ranking. USF at 5-0 should have been ranked higher than USC at 2-1. Losing a game doesn’t change that. Oregon State lost another game, btw. USC was dominated more than USF was, and Pitt is a better team than Oregon State.

But whatever, it doesn’t matter what you rank us anymore anyway.

Posted by JCM, Lakeland on 10/03 at 12:02 AM

I have been calling to fire Gregory for a year now. He is horrible. He never comes through when we play good teams with something at stake. Our big wins last year were won on defense and Grothe when a play broke down. FIRE GREGORY!!!! Also I was so disappointed in our defense. Levitt make one coach cover the defensive line and hire a special teams coach!

Posted by fran catamal, Orlando on 10/02 at 11:15 PM

Although the entire team stunk up the field, it is a rare game where you can place the loss on ne player...cornerback Tyler Roberts is my candidate for the anti-game ball. Is that guy that bad, or did he just have an off night. Also , honorable mention to the O coordinater, who called an abysmal, predictable game in the first half. No wonder the defense wore down when the offense was 3 and out the entire half. FIRE GREGORY!