TAMPA - It had been 15 minutes since Santiago Gramatica's 26-yard field goal clinched the 31-28, double-overtime victory Saturday against previously unbeaten Louisville. But a couple dozen South Florida players lingered on the field, soaking in the moment and adoration.
In the tunnel, linebacker Devon Davis had one arm draped over defensive end Tim Jones, the other over guard Chris Carothers as they helped Davis hobble to the locker room.
It was that kind of game.
Get ready for another one - soon. At 8 p.m. Friday, No. 18 TCU (5-0, 2-0 in Conference USA) plays USF at Raymond James Stadium.
For the first time in his memory, USF coach Jim Leavitt has a short week of preparation. The Bulls typically take Sunday off, but they gathered at 4 p.m. to watch film and begin readying for TCU, the first team ranked in the Associated Press poll to visit USF. "We made a number of mistakes we have to get corrected in all three phases of the game," Leavitt said.
PROPS: USF garnered three points in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll, good for a "ranking" of No. 44, one spot ahead of Florida and six behind Louisville. (Neither USF nor Florida received points in the AP poll.)
The Bulls earned votes in both polls during the final few weeks of last season, and Leavitt has a vote in the coaches poll this season for the first time. He said he and sports information director John Gerdes collaborate on his weekly ballot.
"We haven't done enough yet to deserve (a vote)," Leavitt said.
WOUNDED: Davis pulled a quadriceps during his 70-yard interception return in the second overtime. He is questionable for Friday along with cornerback Bruce Gipson (left hip) and running back DeJuan Green (neck, left hand). Green had the best game of his career Saturday (20 carries for 78 yards and a touchdown), and Gipson made several big plays.
STICKY FINGERS: In 169 plays Saturday, there were no fumbles. Leavitt recently criticized Green for fumbling, but the senior transfer from Georgia held on tight in his second start.
SAW IT COMING: Leavitt said he told Davis, a sophomore from Miramar, several times before kickoff that he would have a "great" game.
Also excelling on defense were middle linebacker Maurice Jones (12 tackles) and strong safety Kevin Verpaele (11). Robert McCune made 18 tackles for Louisville.
WHEN IT COUNTS: Gramatica's 55-yard attempt at the end of the first half fell a few yards short and dropped him to 3-for-8 on field goals this season. He came up big later, making the extra point at the end of regulation to tie it at 21 and in the first overtime to put USF up 28-21 then making the winning field goal. BACK IN ACTION: Quarterback Tye Gunn, who had been out since Sept. 9 with a separated right shoulder, played part of TCU's 27-0 victory Saturday against Army and is expected to start Friday.
UNBEATEN: Southern Miss, which won 22-20 Saturday at Cincinnati, is 3-0 in C-USA. USF and TCU are 2-0, and Houston is 1-0.
