USF: Thursday Night Troubles

Posted Oct 12, 2009 by Joey Johnston

Updated Oct 12, 2009 at 11:33 AM

The No. 21-ranked University of South Florida Bulls (5-0) are relishing their nationally televised opportunity—Thursday night’s ESPN game against No. 8 Cincinnati (5-0) at Raymond James Stadium.

The Bulls would also like to end some Thursday night frustration.

In 2007, USF was ranked No. 2 nationally and faced a Thursday night game at Rutgers—Rutgers 30, USF 27.

In 2008, USF was ranked No. 10 nationally and had a Thursday night home meeting against Pittsburgh—Pittsburgh 26, USF 21.

Thursday night college football has become similar to the NFL’s Monday Night Football, according to Rutgers coach Greg Schiano. “It’s the night that a lot of coaches get off early and watch,’’ Schiano said. “The recruits are watching unless they are playing on Thursday. It’s like Monday Night Football when I was growing up. You get your homework done early. Your parents let you stay up and see the game. It was great.’‘

USF coach Jim Leavitt appreciates the exposure value of playing a big game on Thursday night. He would like the results to change, though.

“It hasn’t been very good for us because we haven’t won one yet,’’ said Leavitt, acknowledging that the Bulls did defeat West Virginia in a 2007 Friday night game for one of the biggest wins in school history. “For the Big East, Thursday night has had the biggest games. We just haven’t fared well. Hopefully, that will change. We’re going to try and change and win one of these.’‘

Leavitt also offered another lighthearted factor that adds difficulty to Thursday night preparations.

“The only thing that’s on during the day is soap operas, so that’s not fun,’’ Leavitt said. “If it’s a Saturday, you’ve at least got some football to watch.’‘

But seriously, “just waiting for the game is the toughest thing,’’ Leavitt said. “That has always been the toughest thing.’‘