The diminutive (5-foot-7) junior from Pensacola is taking the term "slash" to a new level. Fisher has been an explosive punt returner, sure-handed slot receiver, primary kickoff returner and a touchdown-producing option quarterback.
The Bulls frequently use Fisher under center in red-zone situations, and they did so again Saturday on fourth-and-goal from the 1 with 16 seconds left, trailing Louisville 21-14. Fisher swept right, cut toward the end zone to draw the tackler and coolly pitched to Clenton Crossley for the easy score. In the first overtime, on third-and-goal from the 2, Fisher saw Louisville wasn't set, called for a quick snap and dashed around left end for a touchdown. He also had a punt return touchdown brought back because he nipped the sideline.
"Brian Fisher is such a good football player," USF coach Jim Leavitt said. "Any time we want to put the ball in his hands, I'm in favor of it."
TCU: Bo Schobel
Big Bad Bo, a senior defensive end and All-America candidate, is a disruptive force. Schobel, 6 feet 5 and 268 pounds, is second in the nation with seven sacks and ranks sixth nationally with 2.2 tackles for loss a game. He was a first-team All-Conference USA choice last season, when he had 57 tackles, 19 for loss and 7.5 sacks.
Schobel has good bloodlines and continues a family legacy at TCU. Two cousins, former Horned Frogs Aaron (1997-00) and Matt Schobel (1999-01), are playing in the NFL. Aaron, also a defensive end, was a three-time All-WAC selection from 1998 to 2000 (TCU joined C-USA in 2001) and had his first NFL interception last week for the Buffalo Bills. Schobel's father, Robert, also played for TCU (1969-71).
Schobel's dominance is particularly impressive considering he missed virtually all of 2001 recuperating from a knee injury.
"He's very, very good," USF coach Jim Leavitt said. "He plays extremely hard. He's a menace every game."
