With entry into C-USA delayed, the 17 Bulls have a chance previous players were denied.
By PETE YOUNG
Published August 7, 2003
TAMPA - Every senior class wants to go out in style with a conference championship. No senior class at South Florida has done so.
None have had the chance - until now.
This year, USF has the opportunity to chase a league title. The 17 seniors posed together Wednesday on media day at Raymond James Stadium and spoke of capping their careers by winning the Conference USA crown in their inaugural C-USA season.
"We want to get the ring and set the foundation for the younger guys," senior running back Vince Brewer said.
Lost on none of the seniors is that USF wanted to join C-USA in 2001 but was deferred by the league until 2003. Despite not having a title to play for, the past two senior classes combined to lead USF to a 17-5 record.
"We were talking about that in the meeting (Tuesday) night; how guys like Marquel (Blackwell), Anthony Henry, all of them missed out on this opportunity that we have," senior cornerback Ron Hemingway said.
"We're lucky," Brewer said. "Last year's seniors, the year before, they didn't have this chance. I think it's a blessing for us."
There is no shortage of confidence in USF's chances of winning the title, and automatic berth in the Liberty Bowl, thanks to last season's 4-0 mark against C-USA schools.
"We're going in with a lot of confidence, but we're not conceited," Hemingway said. "We just believe we can bring home the championship. People probably took notice of us going 4-0, but that was last year. We've got to create our own identity."
"Not to be cocky, but we've done it," Brewer said. "We know we can do it again. We might have more pressure (because we were 4-0), but we're comfortable with it."
On the flip side, the C-USA teams USF has played will not take the newcomers lightly.
"It alerted them that we're not some pushover, some back-country team that can't play ball," senior safety J.R. Reed said. "(Going 4-0) doesn't do much for us. We'll play every team like they're the best in the country."
Entry into the conference is especially motivating to the seniors, who know they have just one shot. Finishing in the top five in the league and with six victories overall assures the Bulls of their first bowl game. USF missed out in 2002 despite a 9-2 record.
"If we do what we did last year, we know we're going somewhere," Hemingway said.
Among the many who played four years at USF as an independent was Blackwell, who concluded his record-setting career last season. Replacing him is the biggest concern and has prognosticators unsure of USF's chances.
Bulls coaches and players, though, profess faith in Blackwell's replacement, junior Ronnie Banks. Coach Jim Leavitt spoke Wednesday of the ups and downs of his relationship with Banks and how it has flourished since the spring. He even compared him with Daunte Culpepper.
"Ronnie is so smart. He knows exactly when to audible," Brewer said. "He's come a long way. I've watched him grow so much. Ronnie can do just as good as Marquel."
"He gets to the line and makes quick decisions," Hemingway said. "He knows the offense inside out."
The seniors are ready to rally around Banks in the long-awaited pursuit of a conference title.
"I'll be by his side all the way," Hemingway said. "We've finally got a chance in the league, and we want to turn a lot of heads."
