The Trop vs. Rogers Centre

Posted Dec 30, 2009 by Scott Carter

Updated Dec 30, 2009 at 09:38 PM

Here is a notebook from today’s USF practice that is running in Thursday’s edition of The Tampa Tribune:

TORONTO— The Bulls got their first look at the Rogers Centre on Wednesday, practicing for two hours in the home stadium of the Toronto Blue Jays.

This marks the second consecutive season the Bulls have played a bowl game in a domed stadium, playing at Tropicana Field in the inaugural St. Petersburg Bowl a year ago.

Rogers Centre has a different feel to St. Petersburg native and USF coach Jim Leavitt.

“This is much larger. It’s a much bigger, spacious area,’’ Leavitt said. “This is probably as impressive an indoor place as I’ve seen. I played in the Coca-Cola Bowl in Japan one time. But this is different. This is a powerful setting to me.’’

Rogers Centre has more than 55,000 seats, compared to around 44,000 at Tropicana Field. Rogers Centre has a much higher roof, which can contain a 31-story building built in center field according to the stadium’s web site.

Leavitt said USF’s experience of playing inside the Carrier Dome at Syracuse earlier this season and in last year’s St. Petersburg Bowl relieve any concerns about playing indoors.

For a real head-to-head look at the two domes, check out the Rogers Centre and Tropicana Field online fact sheets.

CFL IN ROBINSON’S FUTURE?

Senior LB Chris Robinson is hoping Saturday’s International Bowl won’t be his last game in Canada. While he hopes for a shot in the NFL, Robinson’s realistic outlook on his playing future has led him to studying the Canadian Football League over the years.

“I’ve been watching it lately because of the chance of me coming up here,’’ he said Wednesday.

When asked how much he actually knows about the CFL, Robinson reeled off the field dimensions and other facts that prove he is serious.

Robinson’s uncle, former University of Miami player Darryl Oliver, played in the CFL.

“He kind of put it in my head early in my career,’’ Robinson said.

PLANCHER PLANS RETURN

Senior RB Mo Plancher, who graduated earlier this month, has enrolled in three psychology courses in the spring and is seeking a master’s degree in public health.

He also plans to show up at spring football practice if he gets good news from the NCAA. Plancher has applied for a sixth year of eligibility and hopes to be granted a medical hardship to continue his career after Saturday’s game. He said he hopes to hear an answer by the middle of next month.

“I’m very hopeful. That’s where my heart is, college football,’’ Plancher said. “Right now I just want to help the team win a Big East championship and continue my career.’’

BULL BITS: USF is listed a seven-point favorite in Saturday’s game, which surprised Leavitt. “Honestly, I think it’s an even matchup,’’ he said. “I don’t know where anybody would say we’re a favorite in this one.’’ … Bowl officials are hoping for a crowd of at least 25,000 Saturday, or about 15,000 less than for last year’s UConn-Buffalo matchup … WR Dontavia Bogan is nursing sore ribs but hopes to be at full-speed by Saturday.

—Scott Carter, Tampa Tribune