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Forum: Talk Bulls
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What will we do now that the UCF series is over? What a boring, boring time it will be the rest of the year for the University of South Florida. The Bulls nearly suffered what would have been the most devastating loss in school history, but managed to escape with an overtime win.
UCF fans got hold of Matt Grothe’s cell phone number and bombarded him with hundreds of calls and text messages.
Matt Grothe’s father, Matt Sr., even received a death threat from a UCF fan on Saturday. Grothe’s family was protected by state troopers during the contest and there were no incidents.
Here’s my game story from Saturday night’s wild and wooly contest.
ORLANDO - Now we know why the University of South Florida wanted to end its series with UCF.
The No. 17-ranked Bulls blew a 14-point fourth quarter lead in the final three minutes and escaped with a 31-24 overtime victory against the Knights, in the final meeting between the teams.
“It feels good to win, but it was too close,” said USF senior Danny Verpaele, one of 14 Bulls seniors who won all four games in their career against UCF. “Too close. The bottom line is we got a ‘W.’ ”
After the two touchdown underdog Knights (1-1) scored on Michael Greco touchdown passes of 13 yards to Corey Rabazinski and 31 yards to Rocky Ross within a span of 66 seconds to make it 24-all with 1:40 remaining in regulation, USF quarterback Matt Grothe drove the Bulls 54 yards to UCF’s 20.
However, the Bulls were penalized for delay of game and Delbert Alvarado was wide left on a 42-yard field goal with 11 seconds remaining, sending the contest into overtime.
“Put that [penalty] on me,” USF coach Jim Leavitt said. “I can’t fault anyone else for that. No excuse there.”
USF got the ball first in overtime and Grothe hit Taurus Johnson for a 25-yard touchdown pass on third-and-10.
“Taurus did a good job of going up and getting the ball,” Grothe said. “He said he got me if I would throw him the ball and he did a good job of catching it.”
On UCF’s possession on fourth-and-5, Greco was stopped just shy of a first down by linebackers Brouce Mompremier and Tyrone McKenzie.
It was close enough that the officials brought the chains out for a measurement as a Bright House Networks Stadium record crowd of 46,805 looked on. But the ball was an inch short setting off a wild celebration on the USF sidelines.
“We’re pretty good in overtime,” said USF running backs coach Carl Franks after the Bulls improved all-time to 7-0 in overtime games.
The loss ended the Knights’ seven-game home winning streak, which was tied for the nation’s eighth longest, and dropped UCF to 0-18 all-time against ranked teams.
The victory was especially gratifying for Grothe. On Saturday, he received hundreds of telephone calls and text messages after UCF fans got his cell number.
“I probably like this one the best because I can’t stand them,” Grothe said. “I’m tired of everyone talking crap and not backing it up.
“Someone got hold of my phone number and I had a thousand missed calls and my voice mail was completely full and a couple hundred text messages. Basically one hundred text messages telling me to die.”
Grothe’s father, Matt Sr., also received numerous calls, including a specific death threat that said: “Watch your backs. We can’t get to your [expletive] son, but we can get to you.”
Ultimately it was Grothe’s son that got to the Knights.
Grothe threw for 346 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also led the Bulls with 54 yards rushing. Johnson had six catches for a career-high 143 yards, including the game-winning TD.
“We got lax,” Leavitt said. “We had the game in control. We have to make better decisions.
“We put our defense in such tough positions.”
Despite outgaining the Knights 504-226, USF (2-0) nearly blew it in the final quarter.
When Grothe hit Cedric Hill for a 27-yard touchdown and a 24-10 lead late in the third quarter, Grothe ran through the end zone, putting his right hand to his ear, like he was receiving a phone call.
However, the Bulls couldn’t put the contest away.
UCF stayed in the game because of poor USF special teams play. Joe Burnett returned a first-quarter kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown and also returned three punts for 71 yards.
His 35-yard punt return with less than three minutes remaining, set up UCF’s tying TD in regulation.
At one point, UCF had 108 yards total offense and 104 yards in penalties, including a costly blocking in the back call that wiped out what would have been a 63-yard interception return for a touchdown by Johnell Neal.
The Knights finished with 12 penalties for 149 yards. The last one, for a false start, left them facing fourth-and-5 on the last play of the game.
Once again, the Knights came up short.
“As soon as I hit him, I looked to the sideline and I was like ‘I got it,’ “ McKenzie said. “But then the ref checked just in case and the spot was there.”
UCF coach George O’Leary, who felt strongly the series should be continued said Saturday’s emotional game, was an example why the game should become an annual contest.
“This is why this is such a great game,” O’Leary said. “It was a great game for the fans and players and TV, even though we finished second again.”
The reason the Knights finished second again was because of Grothe’s efforts.
As Grothe made his way off the field, Rocky the Bull gave Grothe a high-five. Then Grothe’s girlfriend, a USF cheerleader, ran and jumped into his arms for a celebratory kiss.
Shortly afterward, the Bulls loaded in the team bus for the drive back to Tampa. The series was over. They didn’t even bother looking in their rearview mirror.
Posted by Ilove DaBulls, Tampa, FL on 09/10 at 02:11 PM
UCF Fan to Mr. Grothe:
I just wish we could get you to see Matt before the game, but “WE CAN’T GET TO” his hotel as easily as we’d like to with all the traffic down that way. It will be “YOUR” luck not to get…. “DAMN SON”, watch out for that snake!!! Wow…that was close! A snake just slithered past my boy!! Here in this part of Florida, you can see wildlife just about anywhere, anytime!!
What I was saying was that it will be your luck not to get to see Matt before the game, “BUT WE CAN GET” him “TO YOU” if the traffic’s not too bad.
Posted by Ilove DaBulls, Tampa, FL on 09/10 at 02:09 PM
Continued:
So here’s where that quote was actually taken from and what REALLY happened!!!:
UCF Fan to Mr. Grothe:
We can’t wait until you and Mrs. Grothe come up to Orlando! Good thing you’re not going to Blacksburg, Virginia this weekend! If you were, you’d really have to “WATCH YOUR BACKS!” I hear it’s a really rough town. You know Orlando is known as “The Happiest Place on Earth!”
Mr. Grothe to UCF Fan:
Mrs. Grothe and I can’t wait to come to “The Happiest Place on Earth!” We were so relieved when VA Tech left the Big East so we wouldn’t have to travel there!!!
Posted by Ilove DaBulls, Tampa, FL on 09/10 at 02:09 PM
This is a death threat???: Watch your backs. We can’t get to your [expletive] son, but we can get to you.” THIS WAS COMPLETELY TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT!! It was in fact good, ol’ fashion southern hospitality!!! Sounds like we need a “Paul Harvey Rest Of The Story” moment with this one…
See next post.
Posted by Andy O, Lawrence, KS on 09/10 at 12:09 PM
USF barely survived against a Trash UCF team? What happens on Friday when an actual quality BCS team comes to town? (note, USF is not a real BCS team. The Big East doesn’t count)
Jayhawks win by 3 scores minimum.
For all you South Floridaians Two names you’ve never heard, Dezmond Briscoe and Daymond Patterson, good luck! Ha!
Posted by Travis, FL on 09/09 at 04:17 PM
Matt, that’s one of the most distasteful things I’ve ever seen. You should be ashamed of yourself. Way to represent USF dude. Please don’t associate yourself with the Bulls if you are going to write stuff like that.
Posted by Mark Smith, Orlando on 09/09 at 10:20 AM
Most of the bad blood has been created by the Orlando Sentinel. Which is a paper that is so biased towards the Gators its not even funny. Even O’Leary has had issues with this two bit rag. Most UCF fans could care less, and O’Leary’s angle is one of pure economics, both programs will move on no matter what. If you think a single death threat to Grothe Sr is your biggest issue wait until you travel to the real South Florida to play football, make sure you are well armed. Plus, in the SEC, a single death threat would be considered mild.
Posted by Mike Lakeland, Lakeland, FL on 09/07 at 07:05 PM
Now I know why some tool of a UCF fan was asking me “Do you want Grothe’s cell phone number?”
Once again, I ran into hordes of idiot and bad fans in Orlando. Thank God that this series is over.
Posted by Brett McMurphy, on 09/07 at 12:26 PM
Carl, fire good, special teams bad. OK, not so funny. Since the program started, Leavitt has been the self-proclaimed special teams coach. Last year, he said he wasn’t - that each assistant was responsible for a different area. I think a simple explanation is they don’t spend as much time on special teams as they do offense and defense. Do other teams? I don’t know. Alvarado has been inconsistent, Santiago Gramatica had his share of ups and downs, Benzer, etc. Not sure why the struggles with field goal kicking. USF wasn’t bad when Bill Gramatica did the kicking.
Posted by Carl Hillman, Gainesville, aka gator hell on 09/07 at 11:17 AM
Brett, would you give us your comments/opinion on why we are having so many problems with special teams and field goals. I know we have the talent to do a better job, I just do not see why we can’t get better. By the way, I was at the game last night. The UCF fans have the least class of any fans anywhere. I am glad the series is ending.
Posted by Chuck Wagner, New Berlin, WI on 09/07 at 10:15 AM
Brett,
1. In the last 4:30 of the game did Leavitt?
a) Build his team’s character by allowing the game to go into overtime
b) Purposely terrorize UCF fans for life by letting the last meeting to go into overtime knowing that USF would win
c) Fall asleep and make errors that a first year high school coach wouldn’t make
You could write an entire article about what not to do in just those last 270 seconds.
2. Which coaching effort was worse:
a) Sun Bowl against Oregon
b) Yesterdays game at UCF
c) They were equally rotten
Posted by jeffrey saff, annapolis, md on 09/07 at 07:53 AM
As I always enjoy I read the opposing team’s hometown paper (orlandosentinel.com) and O’Leary and QB Greco had sour grapes about the final play of the game.
It was close, but QB’s knee absolutely (100%) hit the ground before the extreme tip of the ball reached the yardage line (the one actually on the field). The ten (10) replays confirmed that the officials had it right.
Deal!!!!
Posted by Doug Currier II, Columbia, SC on 09/07 at 07:20 AM
1) Hector’s right - need major work on special teams.
2) What was who thinking to have Unreliable Alvarado kick in regulation with 15 seconds to go and a time out left when the offense was rolling? The kicking game will earn USF an “L” or two this year. Ask Bobby B. about kickers. Any more Grammaticas in the pipeline?
3) Congrats to the Defense for another job well done.
4)Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Grothe.
5) Jayhawk anyone? And how would you like it prepared?
Posted by Hector Jimenez, Forsyth, GA on 09/07 at 06:32 AM
The fact that USF won in OT against UCF doesn’t bother me, this is athe type of game that you are just happy with getting out of their house with a W and be done with it...this time forever! But USF palce itself in that situation due to the following reasons, in my opinion:
1. Speacial teams need major work....a repeat performance of punt and kick-off coverage against a good team from the BE or next week against KU and USF loses easily....why is Alvarado still kicking FGs?
2. Ball-control & play calling the last 4 minutes of the game...lack of control and “pass” plays when they should have been pounding it led to UCF opportunities.
Fix those two maily Special teams and USF has shot Friday.
Posted by Bill Milner, Whitefish, Montana on 09/07 at 03:10 AM
As predicted, UCF would cheap shot all Knight. Unsportsmanlike conduct could have brought about injuries that would alter the year. UCF isn’t worth it. They should build a rivalry with FAU or FIU. More their speed and “after the whistle” play. Knees to the head and body, after the play was over, could have kept even more flags flying. O’Leary is a documented cheat and must advocate it with his players.
We’re gone.
Posted by Brian, Texas on 09/07 at 12:51 AM
I thought it was a hard fought game. Many bad calls and late hits on both sides of the ball which I felt showed little class.
Great showing by both ball clubs and a more exciting game to watch that the UF UM game on ESPN at nearly the same time.
If you feel you truly own UCF after only 4 wins I think you are a fool. Many great rivalries have much longer droughts then that.
That being said, congratulations USF you are surely my pick to win the BE and should easily finish in the nations top 10.
Posted by Matt, Sarasota, FL on 09/07 at 12:45 AM
O’Leary thinks that death threats and watching his defense take cheap shot after cheap shot makes this series worth repeating? Well, this is coming from the guy who wanted to beat USF so bad he killed one of his own players, so I guess nothing else he says or does should be surprising.
I wonder if Georgie O’Liver-disease ever wonders what could have been...for a few brief seconds he was the head coach at Notre Dame (when they were still good) and now his whole life revolves around obsessing about a school whose students, players, and fans don’t give his school and team a first thought, let alone a second one. Life’s crazy, huh?
Posted by Dan Alatorre, Tampa on 09/06 at 11:34 PM
This series was never a rivalry, because 5 years ago when it was discussed, USF rightly decided that two unknown Florida teams beating each other up would not do either one any good when it came to national rankings. If UCF had beaten us twice, then maybe it would have been a good 4 game series, but as it turns out, the best they could do in 4 years was an OT loss. It reminds me of a gambler who lost his house but wants one more chance to win back his money.
UCF, we love you. You are on the verge of breaking out and being a real contender. You have the school, the coach, and the resources. We will be proud of you when it happens.
Meanwhile, shut up, beotch. We OWN your @ss 4-0
Posted by jeffrey saff, annapolis, md on 09/06 at 11:30 PM
Brett,
Some thoughts:
1. If you (usf fan) are not thrilled to come away with a W, then you do not know college football. USF beat a solid team that is very tough to beat @ home. A great W on the road. See WVU v. ECU.
2. Good teams win the close ones.
3. USF gets ot td w/o a penalty. UCF gets huge penalty on 4th down in ot.
Negatives:
1. Throwing the ball 3 straight with a 14 pt. lead & less than 3 min. (absurd and horrible coaching).
2. With have a great punter and mediocre kicker (the same person). This may haunt us.
I should have seen this coming, they were looking past a good ucf club with a top 25 team coming to Tampa.
Posted by Jon McKee, SRQ on 09/06 at 11:17 PM
O’Leary is in an idiot. If he thinks thats worth repeating year after year we will end up with a brawl/riot.
I’m glad its over. UCF, O’Leary, their fans and Orlando media have placed way to much emphasis on this game.
Looking forward to playing the U, even if we loose more than we win, that will be program building, having an in-state series with a BCS team.
Go Bulls!!!!!
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Posted by Ilove DaBulls, Tampa, FL on 09/10 at 02:11 PM
Mr. Grothe to UCF Fan:
You UCF fans have got to be the most hospitable fans on the planet!! My family truly is grateful for your love and kindness!
And now…you know….the rest….of the story!!