By Times staff writers, Associated Press
Published November 18, 2003
TAMPA - Coach Jim Leavitt said South Florida looked strong in its first practice since Thursday. The Bulls worked out for less than 11/2 hours Monday in shoulder pads and helmets.
"It was good to get out and going. We had a bit of time off," Leavitt said.
Leavitt said junior quarterback Ronnie Banks took most of the snaps with the first string, though Brian Fisher and Pat Julmiste also worked with the starters. Banks seems to be the front-runner to start Saturday against Alabama-Birmingham, which also is coming off a bye week.
"We're working Ronnie most," Leavitt said. "But we'll see."
INJURY REPORT: Most of the dinged-up Bulls who rested last week returned to practice. The exception was junior running back Clenton Crossley. Leavitt said Crossley is not seriously hurt and will play Saturday.
HUGE: How big is Saturday's game? Both UAB at 4-6 and South Florida at 6-3, but with two wins not counting toward bowl eligibility, must win their final two to be eligible for the postseason. OWNING NOVEMBER: USF is tied for the longest active November winning streak in the nation. The Bulls, with Southern Cal, have won nine in a row. Since 1998, the Bulls are 13-3 in November.
- ROB BRANNON
Game time set
PITTSBURGH - The Nov. 29 Miami-Pitt game, which could decide the Big East title, starts at 8 p.m. and will be regionally televised by ABC.
Miami's 28-21 victory over Pitt was the highest-rated game last season on ESPN.
No. 13 Miami is all but certain of wrapping up the Big East's automatic bid to a BCS game if it beats Rutgers and Pitt in its final two games.
No. 21 Pitt could gain at least a share of the conference title and the BCS bid by beating Temple and Miami.
The Miami game will be Pitt's third televised Saturday night game in four weeks. Pitt beat then-No. 5 Virginia Tech 31-28 on Nov. 8 before losing to then-unranked West Virginia 52-31 on Saturday.
- ASSOCIATED PRESS
OT Willis honored
TALLAHASSEE - Junior offensive tackle Ray Willis, who keyed two touchdown runs in FSU's 50-44 double-overtime win against North Carolina State, was named the ACC's offensive lineman of the week.
