Bulls dump UConn 17-13

Posted Nov 24, 2008 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Nov 24, 2008 at 01:44 AM

A few times this season, the University of South Florida defense has failed to hold a late lead for the Bulls. However, Sunday night the Bulls’ defense came up big – especially in the fourth quarter - securing a 17-13 victory against UConn.

For the first time in 36 days, the Bulls walked off the field as winners and all but clinched a berth to the St. Petersburg Bowl.

Having lost three consecutive games, USF was in danger of missing out on a Big East bowl game. But by reaching seven wins, the Bulls (7-4, 2-4 Big East) guaranteed themselves of a Big East bowl.

“It’s a big win for us,” USF senior Carlton Williams said. “The team was devastated after the big loss [against Rutgers] last week.

“So to rebound against a great Connecticut team, it’s a big win for us. And we really needed that momentum getting ready to go play another great team like West Virginia. But right now, we’re going to enjoy the win and then get ready to go back to work for West Virginia.”

USF nearly blew a 10-0 lead, but got an inspired performance from its defense to down the Huskies (7-4, 3-3) before an announced crowd of 42,422 at Raymond James Stadium.

“This was a statement game for us,” USF senior wide receiver Taurus Johnson said. “We wanted to come out here and do our thing. The past few weeks things haven’t been good.”

The win was especially sweet for the Bulls’ 21 seniors, who will make a school-record fourth consecutive bowl trip.

“That’s pretty neat,” USF coach Jim Leavitt said. “That’s positive. That’s good. Cup half full.”

Since starting Big East play, USF’s cup wasn’t half full – it was full of holes and leaking profusely.

But thanks to a defense led by senior linebacker Tyrone McKenzie’s 16 tackles, the Bulls pulled out a hard fought victory.

With less than six minutes remaining and UConn driving for a potential winning touchdown, USF linebacker Kion Wilson forced a fumble by UConn quarterback Tyler Lorenzen that was recovered by Quenton Washington at USF’s 25.

The Huskies had one final chance, taking over on their 20 with 1:28 remaining and no time outs.

USF senior Jarriett Buie sacked Lorenzen, forcing a third-and-21 from UConn’s 11. Two incompletions followed securing the win.

UConn’s Donald Brown, the nation’s leading rusher averaging 153 yards per game, was held to 96 yards on 28 carries.

“We wanted to get after somebody,” USF defensive coordinator Wally Burnham said.

USF quarterback Matt Grothe threw for 124 yards (9-for-18, one interception) and rushed for 51 yards on five carries. USF sophomore RB Jamar Taylor added a 25-yard touchdown run with 12:36 remaining in the fourth for a 17-10 lead.

Trailing 10-3, UConn pulled even at 10 late in the third quarter. The Huskies drove 87 yards in 12 plays, capped by Lorenzen’s 46-yard pass to Ellis Gaulden.

USF’s Dontavia Bogan returned the opening kickoff 64 yards to UConn’s 30, setting up the Bulls’ first touchdown – a 3-yard run by senior Ben Williams.

Early in the second quarter, USF increased its lead to 10-0 on Maikon Bonani’s 29-yard field goal.

After the Bulls’ defense forced another UConn punt, Leavitt gambled on a fourth-and-1 at USF’s 45 and failed. Grothe was stuffed for no gain on a quarterback sneak, giving the Huskies possession at UConn’s 45 with 7:14 remaining.

“That was not my decision,” Burnham said. “I felt like, ‘Boy, that’s tough.’ [The defense] had to earn your keep.”

With the short field, the Huskies’ offense came to life and drove to USF’s 9. However, the defense bailed out Leavitt by holding UConn to a 21-yard field goal, making it 10-3.

“This win was huge,” USF senior center Jake Griffin said. “I think we played a good game all over. We weren’t sound the whole game, but I thought we came together well. We picked up for the defense and the defense picked up for us.”

UConn outgained the Bulls, 258-247.