Grothe’s toughness ended USF career early

Posted Sep 23, 2009 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Sep 23, 2009 at 12:31 PM

University of South Florida QB Matt Grothe’s toughness ultimately ended up costing him his USF career.

Grothe told me on the series before he tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Charleston Southern, he suffered an AC joint sprain in his right (throwing) shoulder, the same injury that has sidelined Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford of Oklahoma.

“I jumped over somebody and got hit underneath the shoulder,” Grothe said. “I can’t throw the ball. I think I threw it one time [in the game] after the injury, but there was so much adrenaline I couldn’t feel [the injury].”

Grothe said he didn’t tell his teammates or coaches about the shoulder injury until after the game.

“We were up 21-0 and I was going to get on the head phones and tell Chico [offensive coordinator Mike Canales in the press box] that I don’t want to go back in because my shoulder hurts,” Grothe said. “But then our defense made a big play [forcing a punt], and I was like, ‘No, I’ll go back in for one more series.’ “

Please click here to read the rest of the story.

Big Three adding a fourth member? FSU coach Bobby Bowden thinks so. It’s only a matter of time until USF is part of the state’s Big Four.

Please click here to read the rest of the story that was on the front page of today’s Tampa Tribune.

Another front page story in today’s Tribune was Joe Henderson’s column on Grothe, who spoke with the media on Tuesday.

The Tribune’s Joey Johnston writes about how nearly 34 years ago, West Virginia’s Bobby Bowden was in Tampa to coach the Lions American Bowl, a college all-star game at the old Tampa Stadium. That’s when the phone call came. Florida State University athletic director John Bridgers wanted to speak with him about the Seminoles’ head-coaching opening.

Also, Steve Ellis writes for TBO.com about what B.J. Daniels’ former high school teammates, now at Florida State, are thinking about facing Daniels on Saturday.