Ford, Taylor back practicing

Posted Nov 10, 2008 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Nov 10, 2008 at 10:47 PM

University of South Florida RBs Mike Ford and Jamar Taylor, who didn’t make the trip to Cincinnati on Oct. 30, both participated in individual drills Monday.

USF coach Jim Leavitt wouldn’t speculate if he thought they would play Saturday against Rutgers.

“It’s hard to say,” Leavitt said. “I’m not really watching the guy, I really don’t know. I’m just thinking about practice.”

RG Zach Hermann, who started USF’s first two games before suffering a broken foot, returned for the first time against Cincinnati. He did not practice during the early part of Monday’s drills.

Last week, Leavitt said last week that Hermann “shouldn’t have played” at Cincinnati.

TE Trent Puppello (concussion), who didn’t play at Cincinnati, and WR/PR Theo Wilson (knee/back), who was injured at Cincinnati, both practiced Monday.

Saturday’s game against Rutgers will be broadcast locally on WTFS, Ch. 28.

RUTGERS’ “BIGGEST GAME:” How big is Rutgers’ visit to USF on Saturday?

“To tell you the truth, this is probably the biggest game I’ve played in because of the stakes,” Rutgers’ right tackle Kevin Haslam told the Newark-Star Ledger.

Added linebacker Kevin Malast: “I always feel that way when we play South Florida—even during my freshman year [in 2005]. That was a big game for us then. I feel like every year South Florida is a huge game.”

The Scarlet Knights are riding a three-game winning streak, but Coach Greg Schiano is far from satisfied, the Newark-Star Ledger reports.

“We’re getting a little bit better,” Schiano said. “Certainly not where we’re [wanting] to be, but better than where we were.”