USF 27, NICHOLLS ST. 17: The Bulls rally, then stiffen at the goal line vs. a I-AA foe in their home opener.
By PETE YOUNG
Published September 7, 2003
[Times photo: Chris Zuppa]
USF Brian Fisher gains a first down as Nicholls State linebacker Torrian Thomas grabs grabs a handful of jersey Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium.
TAMPA - The triple option used to be the norm in college football. Now it's a rarity. South Florida probably wouldn't mind if the antiquated offense took the next evolutionary step: extinction.
The relentless triple option of Nicholls State kept USF scrambling much of Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium, but the Bulls rallied from 10 points down to win 27-17 in front of 26,460.
"Oh, my God, I'd rather see a spread-open shotgun offense than that any day of the week," USF cornerback Kenny Robinson said. "You've got to be so disciplined, every play."
Nicholls State, ranked No.19 in Division I-AA, took a 17-7 second-quarter lead and rushed for 267 yards. But USF's balanced attack proved better, as the Bulls gained 520 yards, 288 passing and 242 rushing, to win their 20th straight home game.
"They're the best option-executing team I've ever seen," USF coach Jim Leavitt said. "I don't know if I have ever watched so much film in my life.
"I was up all week long. I told the players (and coaches) I was worried, I can't sleep, my stomach's killing me. ... When we were down 17-7, I said, "Okay, we're going to find out if we've got any guts.' We kept banging away at it."
A goal-line stand by the Bulls late in the third quarter was pivotal. After USF (1-1), which was hampered by three turnovers, rallied for a 21-17 lead, Nicholls State (1-1) marched 85 yards and faced third and 1 at the USF 2.
"We said, "This will make or break the game right here,"' USF defensive end Tim Jones said. "We just had to suck it up and win."
On third down, Robinson drilled tailback Rudy August for a 1-yard loss.
"I threw everything I had at his knees, and luckily I stopped him in the backfield," Robinson said.
On fourth down fullback Colt Colletti, who scored two touchdowns, was swarmed by linebacker Maurice Jones and a horde of Bulls.
Receiver Elgin Hicks was USF's offensive star. The senior from Punta Gorda Charlotte caught the first two touchdowns of his career, the first a 32-yarder to tie it at 7. Then after spraining his left ankle he caught a 67-yarder down the right sideline to give USF a 27-17 cushion early in the fourth quarter.
"Boy, he made some big plays, didn't he?" Leavitt said of Hicks, who had a career-high 132 receiving yards on five catches. "We've been waiting for him to become an explosive player."
"It's something I've been working hard on for five years; I finally got in (the end zone)," Hicks said. "Hopefully there are more to come."
Quarterback Ronnie Banks (17 of 31, one interception) also had a big day with 288 yards and four touchdowns in his second start. He threw the go-ahead score to S.J. Green, also Green's first career TD, early in the third quarter.
The win in the home opener helped offset the frustration of a 40-17 loss Aug.30 at Alabama.
Turnovers helped the Bulls sputter early Saturday. USF fell behind after a fumble on their second play from scrimmage. Running back DeJuan Green and Banks botched an exchange near midfield, and Nicholls State recovered and drove to a 7-0 lead.
Hicks' reception on a post pattern tied it.
"Ronnie put that on the money," Hicks said. "The safety bit down on the dig and it was wide open."
After a 47-yard field goal by Jay Jones put Nicholls State back in front, the Bulls had a chance to tie on a 27-yard try. But the snap was off, the hold was bobbled and late and Santiago Gramatica's kick was blocked by Henry Johnson and returned to the USF 41.
From there Nicholls State marched to a 17-7 lead. The Bulls cut it to 17-14 just before the half on a 25-yard slant from Banks to Huey Whittaker.
After USF took a 27-17 lead, Jones missed a 44-yard field goal with 5:15 left. The Colonels recovered a fumble at their 35 with 2:21 to go but could not capitalize.
