Murphy gives secondary different options

Posted Sep 9, 2009 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Sep 9, 2009 at 09:35 PM

With University of South Florida SS Jerrell Young (broken arm) out against Western Kentucky, there are several replacement options for the Bulls, Coach Jim Leavitt and defensive coordinator Joe Tresey said.

And all of them involve senior Jerome Murphy.

Murphy, who has 13 career starts, would start at either cornerback or safety, allowing the Bulls some flexibility.

“We have to manage it,” Tresey said.

If Murphy starts at strong safety, USF likely would start Quenton Washington, Kayvon Webster, George Baker or Tyson Butler at the two cornerback spots. If Murphy starts at cornerback, Jon Lejiste or Mistral Raymond could start at strong safety.

Key to 2009: Leavitt said the key to this season is if the Bulls can improve.

“Since we’re such a young team, I think you’ll see more improvement hopefully through the year as they go and we play,” Leavitt said. “It will be the key to this season.

“If our guys do get better as we climb through the season, then we got a real chance to do some special things. If we don’t, then we won’t.”

Odds and ends: Freshman DE Ryne Giddins, who didn’t play in the opener, is in a battle with Jason Pierre-Paul, David Bedford and Craig Marshall to start Saturday. … TE Kenneth Luberice (hip) will not play, Leavitt said. … RB Jamar Taylor, out 6-8 weeks with a sprained knee suffered last month, is off crutches, but there’s no definitive timetable for his return. “If he can get back in the middle of the Big East season and he can help us, we’ll use him,” Leavitt said. “If not, we’ll redshirt him.”

Stadium half full or half empty? Actual attendance for Saturday’s Wofford game was 30,871, compared to the announced attendance of 40,360. The actual attendance was about 2,700 less than last year’s opener against University of Tennessee at Martin. ... USF will host the Tampa Twice volleyball tournament this weekend in the Sun Dome. USF (5-0) plays No. 4 Florida at 8 p.m. Friday and No. 9 Minnesota at 8 p.m. Saturday. … The men’s soccer team (3-0) is ranked No. 8 by one national poll.

Week 2 picks reminder: I noticed several folks signed up this week to participate in the picks contest. With 13 weeks remaining and 10 questions a week, you’ve certainly got plenty of time to catch up - especially to me after my pitiful opening week performance.

To sign up and play this week, please click here. We’re still rounding up the prizes for the top three finishers and should have more information soon.