Cold weather awaits USF

Posted Dec 2, 2009 by Gregg Becnel

Updated Dec 2, 2009 at 08:03 PM

Saturday’s forecast for the University of South Florida’s game against Connecticut in East Hartford, Conn., calls for a high temperature of 41 degrees and a low of 31, with a 30 percent chance of snow showers.

USF is 1-2 in games when the temperature at kickoff was 40 or below, including a 15-10 loss at UConn in 2005.

“That’s just one of those situations you’ve got to mentally prepare as the week goes,” offensive coordinator Mike Canales said. “It’s hard to say let’s go practice in a cold compound because you’re not going to find anything down here unless you go down to the Ice Palace and try to practice on skates; and that’s not going to work.”

Junior WR Carlton Mitchell doesn’t believe the weather will play a factor in the outcome.

“It’s all mental,” he said. “It’s going to be real cold, but last year at West Virginia we played in snow and I thought we played pretty good. So I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”

Last year’s 13-7 loss at West Virginia was the coldest game in USF history, with a kickoff temperature of 29 degrees.

“I think it’s all just a mindset going into it with the right frame of mind. I think we had the right frame of mind last year when we went into West Virginia and our kids didn’t wear sleeves,” Canales said. “Our kids came out with the right mindset that we’re going there to win a ballgame. And when you take that approach you at least give yourself a chance. But it’s a difficult situation when you’re down South and they’re up North.”

GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE: USF will get a sneak peek at what the middle linebacker position will look like when freshman Sam Barrington takes over for senior Kion Wilson (ankle) against UConn. 

“I’m very confident in Sam,” Coach Jim Leavitt said. “He’s going to be our middle linebacker in the future, so this will be his first shot at really getting in there. He’ll play better as time goes. I’m sure he’ll make some mistakes, but he’s played pretty good this year. He’s a special guy.”

Earlier this season Leavitt said Barrington was the best freshman linebacker USF has ever had. Barrington has played in every game this season, and is tied for eighth in tackles with 31.