Charleston Southern out of this galaxy

Posted Sep 13, 2009 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Sep 13, 2009 at 10:07 PM

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.—Following Saturday’s victory at Western Kentucky, University of South Florida coach Jim Leavitt said playing the Hilltoppers “isn’t anything in the world like playing in the Big East, not even in the hemisphere.”

Saturday, the Bulls will face a team not even in the same galaxy – FCS member Charleston Southern, who already has lost to Florida 62-3 and Wofford 42-14. The same Wofford that USF beat 40-7 two weeks ago.

“I think it’s very important how we play (Saturday),” Leavitt said. “We have to get ready for (the next two games after that with) Florida State and Syracuse. We know it’s a whole different deal.”

The Bulls (2-0) will look to improve several areas, including special teams and defense, Leavitt said.

At WKU, K Delbert Alvardo missed from 40 and 49 yards and has missed five of his last seven field goals over the past two seasons.

“What’s our solution?” Leavitt said. “Get Delbert back in there and cranking again. He kicks so well during practice all week. We have to figure it out.”

Leavitt admitted he was “never worried about winning or losing” against WKU, playing its first season as a FCS member. “I never did. I wanted to play good football. I knew we had a much better team.

“I was disappointed we didn’t play better. I’m not happy how we’re playing defensively. We have to be smoking. We have to look at some things.”

Odds and ends: Kickoff and television information for USF’s Sept. 26 game at Florida State could be announced as early as Monday. … When Mo Plancher (115 yards rushing) and Carlton Mitchell (130 yards receiving) each reached the 100-yard mark at Western Kentucky, it was only the fifth time in school history the Bulls had a running back and receiver each go other the 100-yard mark in the same game. The others: Oct. 13, 2007 vs. UCF (Matt Grothe 100 yards rushing, Mitchell 107 receiving); Sept. 25, 2004 at TCU (Andre Hall 119, Joe Bain 110); Nov. 3, 2004 at UAB (Hall 275, Johnny Peyton 124); Sept. 6, 1997 vs. Kentucky Wesleyan (Jermaine Clemons 132, Clif Dell 149). … WR Evan Landi (separated shoulder) is out at least this week, Leavitt said.

Sunday’s game coverage: In case you missed it, here are the links to Sunday’s game story on the front page of the Tampa Tribune, along with our game notes.

Week 2 standings: Here are a the leaders through two weeks of the Picks Contest. If you’re not listed, don’t worry, you’re still in it. There’s still a lot of golf left on this hole, as they say.

Good luck this week.

14 – donald548 (FL), USF ALUM (AZ)
13 – DougCurr (SC), BullDMG (FL), BullsPicks (FL), aledford (FL), AriHinkel (DC)
12 – Herkimer (FL), BullFin (FL), HectorJ (GA)
11 – JAultman (FL), cjayh39 (FL), gatorduck (OH), Brian (NC), raz7943 (FL)
10 – Brett McMurphy (FL), MasterTJ (FL), JupiterBul (FL), MikeLaklnd (FL), vegangreg (FL), Tyrone (FL), BrettB (FL), baron0416 (FL), Danj725 (FL), BeachBull (IL), blkice12 (NJ), Gabito (FL), geepster5 (WA), Jebner (FL)
9 – jcalamore (VA), jmsusf88 (MD), Jake_Ryan (GA), julesrobyn (FL),
gobulls32 (FL), HTechBull (FL), BullTiger (FL), Clayola007 (CA), CoolBull (FL), Moneymaker (FL), Rashad (FL), MattL (FL), craigc (FL), RichL (FL), motronib (FL), Kagome4206 (FL), kdecelles (FL), KissDaBaby (FL), tonyrocha (FL), thmstmsr (PA)