Plancher off to strong start

Posted Sep 18, 2009 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Sep 18, 2009 at 09:34 AM

University of South Florida senior RB Mo Plancher has a simple stipulation when it comes to enjoying personal success: the team has to be equally successful.

Take for example Plancher explaining what it meant getting his first 100-yard game last week against Western Kentucky.

“It felt good. It was an accomplishment,” he said. “But if I would have ran for 100 yards and we would have lost the game then I would have felt bad.

“I think I have a lot of improvements to make in my game, but hopefully I keep getting better and the team keeps getting better every week.”

Plancher, who averages 6.4 yards per carry and leads the team with 193 yards and four touchdowns, will have more competition for carries Saturday against Charleston Southern with the return from suspension of junior Mike Ford.

“We’re great friends that push each other,” Plancher said. “If he’s going to help the team I want him on the field.”

Plancher, however, should continue to get the bulk of the carries.

“Mo Plancher’s our guy,” Bulls coach Jim Leavitt said. “We trust him a lot.”

Making them count: Senior WR Theo Wilson, who began as a cornerback before switching to receiver, has three career receptions – all coming in the Bulls’ first two games of the season – but two of them have been for touchdowns.

“I think everybody knows Theo’s a good athlete,” QB Matt Grothe said. “He’s a quick and fast receiver that does a good job of getting open. Theo’s going to be out there making catches all year long.”