USF posts hollow 59-0 win

Posted Sep 19, 2009 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Sep 19, 2009 at 11:29 PM

Late in the second quarter of the University of South Florida’s 59-0 rout of Charleston Southern, the Bulls’ laugher suddenly turned into a nightmare.

That’s when senior quarterback Matt Grothe was tripped up from behind by defensive tackle David Jackson and sandwiched by defensive back Antwain Harvey. Grothe’s left knee buckled at the end of his 9-yard run, sending USF coach Jim Leavitt and USF’s trainers sprinting onto the field.

“It was almost like before it happened something told me to sprint out there, I don’t even know why,” Leavitt said. “It was a tough moment.”

Several USF teammates dropped to a knee and surrounded Grothe. Running back Mike Ford summed up the Bulls’ feelings, slamming his helmet into the turf. The early diagnosis is Grothe suffered a sprained left knee. He will undergo an MRI Monday.

“Matt’s a franchise guy, we all know that,” Leavitt said. “What he’s (done) in college football is extraordinary. He’s one of the great names out there. I feel real bad for him. Hopefully it won’t be too bad, but we’ll have to wait and see. He’s a special, special guy.”

Grothe’s injury came with 2:54 remaining in the second quarter. Entering the game, the plan was for Grothe to sit out the second half. Now it’s unknown how long the Big East’s career leader in total offense will be out.

It’s doubtful Grothe will play at Florida State.

Oh yeah, FSU. At 10:01 Saturday night, USF officially turned its attention to the Seminoles.

That was the exact time USF’s victory against Charleston Southern mercifully went final. As expected the Bulls bullied the overmatched Buccaneers, who have lost their three games by a combined margin of 163-17.

USF recorded its ninth shutout in program history. “That was big,” defensive coordinator Joe Tresey said. “Especially after the last couple of weeks.”

However, never has a 59-point blowout felt so hollow.

With Grothe watching on crutches from the sidelines, back-up B.J. Daniels put on a show. Daniels rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns on only eight carries. The redshirt freshman also completed 10 of 13 for 149 yards and a touchdown.

Touted as USF’s quarterback of the future, the future is now for Daniels and the Bulls.

“Ever since the beginning of the season, I’ve been trying to get reps and prepare as if I was (the starter) just in case to improve. As far as Matt’s concerned, my heart goes out to him. He’s really worked and taught me a lot. If things don’t turn out well, I’ll play for him. It’s his senior year.”

Six plays after Grothe left the game, Daniels hit Dontavia Bogan on a 50-yard touchdown pass.

Before leaving with his injury, Grothe guided the Bulls to a 28-0 lead. He ended USF’s first two drives with TD passes – 3 yards to Dontavia Bogan and 50 yards to Carlton Mitchell. Before the first quarter ended, Nate Allen returned a blocked field goal by Jerome Murphy 75 yards for a touchdown, making it 21-0.

Grothe drove the Bulls on another scoring drive, capped by Ford’s 2-yard touchdown run only 1:06 into the second quarter.

Grothe finished 11 of 14 for 149 yards and two TDs and carried five times for 24 yards.

The only time USF failed to score with Grothe at quarterback was the next drive when Delbert Alvarado missed a 34-yard field goal. That prompted Leavitt to replace Alvarado with walk-on Eric Schwartz for the rest of the game.

Schwartz was only supposed to handle the kickoff duties so Alvarado could concentrate on his placekicking duties, but apparently Leavitt had enough.

Schwartz hit all four extra points and a 37-yard field goal. USF did not punt for only the second time in school history, so there’s no idea if Alvarado also lost his punting job.

“I’m happy we did what we were supposed to do,” Leavitt said. “We didn’t the first two weeks. We should win like that vs. Charleston Southern.”

Since the FSU series was announced in January, the Bulls have been looking forward to their first visit to Tallahassee. Even though, they spoke the party line and maintained they weren’t looking past Wofford, Western Kentucky and Charleston Southern, Leavitt admitted it was hard not to look ahead.

“A new season starting Saturday?” Tresey said. “That’s an understatement.”