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Coaches and fans can watch the football team play for the final time this spring.
By PETE YOUNG, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published April 13, 2002
TAMPA -- South Florida football has five seasons under its belt, but the Bulls still are collecting significant "firsts."
Two more will be accrued today: The first spring game and first USF day game at Raymond James Stadium.
The Bulls are leaving behind the undersized USF soccer stadium, host of their past spring games, for their plush home stadium. And while it's just the spring game (unofficially dubbed the Green and Gold game), it is another step up for the program, with a bonus for fans: The 1 p.m. game is free admission and parking.
USF coach Jim Leavitt is hoping for a crowd of 5,000-plus, which would far exceed the most at the soccer stadium.
"We're Division I-A, we're competing against the best teams in the country, it doesn't make sense to not play (the spring game) in one of the best facilities in the country," Leavitt said.
The coaching staff has been divided in half and a draft was conducted Thursday morning to choose teams.
For casual fans, the game is an opportunity to watch established players like quarterback Marquel Blackwell, linebacker Kawika Mitchell and defensive linemen Shurron Pierson and Chris Daley.
For the hardcore supporters and USF coaches, it's the last opportunity before the fall to gauge the competition at the unsettled positions, most notably the exceptionally young offensive line, where there are no juniors or seniors among the projected starters. There aren't even juniors or seniors among the backups, save junior college transfer guard Jason Lehman. (Senior Ken "Shaq" Dawson also could earn another year of eligibility.) Sophomore center Alex Herron and sophomore tackle Derrick Sarosi (moved from right to left this spring) proved capable starters last season.
The other three starters, for now, are sophomore right tackle Levi Newton, redshirt freshman right guard Chris Carothers of Clearwater and sophomore left guard Shelly Houston. Also in the hunt are redshirt freshman right tackle Frank Davis, whose emergence could move Newton to guard, and versatile sophomore Mark Sopcik of Land O'Lakes.
To Leavitt, there is one thing more worrisome than the neophyte line, and that's an injury to Blackwell. Grooming a No. 2 quarterback is his top priority, and sophomore Ronnie Banks and freshman David Mullins have not played poorly but have not distinguished themselves. Freshmen Evan Kraky and Jean Julmiste join the competition in the fall.
"It's the most important position on the team, and I don't want there to be such a gap between Marquel and the next guy, whoever it is," Leavitt said.
Several inexperienced players have impressed Leavitt the past three weeks. Among them are freshman linebacker/defensive end Terrence Royal; redshirt freshman receiver Joe Bain; walk-on redshirt freshman defensive end Jon Simmons, who played just one year in high school at Clearwater Central Catholic and has a knack for pass rushing; sophomore receiver Bruce Gipson; and Davis.
NOTES: Leavitt said reports of the retirement of defensive end Ian Blackwell are premature. "We're going to let him have some time (off)," Leavitt said. "We're not closing the door if he wants to come back next year. He's struggled a bit, but he's been getting better." Blackwell, entering his junior year, has overcome a severe knee injury, a broken ankle, an emergency appendectomy and, last summer, Bell's palsy, since arriving at USF in 1999. ... Standout recruit RoShawn Marshall, a cornerback from Tarpon Springs and one of 14 signees in February, likely is headed to Fort Scott (Kansas) CC. "If he doesn't (qualify academically), that's where he'll be," Leavitt said. "Overall, we might lose one or two (freshmen who don't qualify)."
WHEN/WHERE: 1 today; Raymond James Stadium, Tampa.
TICKETS: Gate D; admission and parking are free.
FORMAT: A regular game (Green vs. White) with a few modifications. There are no kickoffs and only fair catches on punts. There could be a running clock sometimes. "We'll see how it goes," USF coach Jim Leavitt said of the possibility of a running clock. "But it will be just like a real ballgame." A few players, among them long-snapper Justin Daniel, could play for both teams. Tommy Hunter, Casey Cobb, Derek Carter, Emerson Morris, DeAndrew Rubin, Ken "Shaq" Dawson, Elgin Hicks and Santiago Gramatica are out with injury or academic commitment, and Maurice Tucker, Clenton Crossley, Chris Iskra, Quinton Callum, Billy Henderson, Justin Geisler, Cesar Paz, Devon Small and Huey Whittaker are questionable with injuries.