The biggest crowd since USF's first game gets to have some fun during and after the victory.
By ROB BRANNON
Published October 5, 2003
TAMPA - It was a fairy-tale ending.
There they were, with the twine behind the goalposts still swaying after Santiago Gramatica's winning kick. They danced across the field, bodies green and gold. Soon, they were joined by their friends, waves and waves of humanity flowing over the walls of Raymond James Stadium from the largest student showing anyone can remember.
"It's crazy out here. It's crazy," said Bulls safety J.R. Reed, dancing with the throngs of fans.
"They're unbelievable," safety Kevin Verpaele said. "Words can't describe it."
The entire stadium was loud. And the seats in the south end zone, normally devoid of all but one or two fans, were filled. There were 36,044 in all, the most since the program's first game.
So this is what USF has talked about for seven years. Finally, it was a game that meant something, a Conference USA game. And the stadium was as loud as during Bucs games.
"They can have 112,000 people ... in Michigan and (places like that)," Verpaele said. "I'll take the USF crowd. Put them in that end zone, and it's our house."
Sure there were some errors. The band struck up Goodbye with the score still tied. The crowd, maybe excited that the lower bowl was filled, did the wave ... while USF had the ball, forcing quarterback Ronnie Banks to ask for quiet.
"It can be distracting to your focus," USF coach Jim Leavitt said. "But you know what? Wave away."
With conference competition came another novelty for Bulls fans: opposing teams fans. Louisville bought about 1,200 tickets, and its fans cheered throughout the game. USF fans responded with a chorus of boos.
"This crowd was amazing," linebacker Maurice Jones said. "And we needed them."
And like at the end of many meaningful games, the fans didn't want to go home. They lined the walls for several minutes after the game, soaking up the autographs and admiring the stars. Even the Louisville faithful hung around to take in the scene.
"We love them," receiver Huey Whittaker said while watching it all happen.
