It might sound melodramatic, but South Florida's 22-19 loss to UAB last weekend arguably was the biggest defeat in school history.
It crushed bowl hopes and snuffed the gathering buzz from a late-season run. Now, the season finale at Memphis is just another game instead of the most anticipated of the season.
Coach Jim Leavitt reached all the way back to 1997 and the program's third game ever, a 23-22 home loss to Drake, when asked for a comparable defeat.
Sadly, it shouldn't be this way. USF still should be playing for a bowl bid. The Bulls, 6-4 and 4-3 in Conference USA, would finish third in the league with a win Saturday, and five C-USA teams are going to a bowl. USF will miss out, however, because it scheduled just 11 games instead of the allowable 12, and because neither of its two I-AA games can be counted toward its overall total, a scheduling faux pas that has had grave consequences. The Bulls will not get the required six I-A wins.
USF was 8-3 and 9-2 in its first two I-A seasons. The program that has bolted to new heights each season might have taken its first step back in 2003.
Eventually it had to happen. The trick now is bouncing right back. A win Saturday would begin the process: The Bulls can make it six straight seasons with seven or more wins, knock off one of the nation's hottest teams and win five of eight league games in their inaugural C-USA season.
As steps back go, that's a pretty small one. It might even be a step sideways.
INCONSISTENCY: It is easy to pile on USF for its ridiculous 16 penalties for 145 yards against UAB, especially considering the Bulls' penalty problems the past two seasons.
In its previous game against East Carolina, however, USF committed a school-record-low two penalties for 15 yards (and that game included two overtimes). USF and ECU combined for eight penalties, and USF and UAB had 26. The respective officiating crews obviously called things very differently, and the Bulls didn't adapt.
"Maybe guys got away with some things they tried to keep doing," Leavitt said. "We had too many penalties, no question."
NO SOFTIES: One possible cure for the football team's offensive woes was negated by the schedulemaker. The two C-USA teams the Bulls don't play this season, Houston and Tulane, are terrible defensively. Houston allowed 66 points to Louisville last weekend and 62 to TCU in October. Tulane ranks 111th nationally in total defense.
TENNIS COUP: Women's tennis coach Gigi Fernandez signed an elite player who could help elevate USF's national profile, Neyssa Etienne of Haiti. Etienne, who will enroll in January, has had a world ranking as high as No. 398.
"I am beyond excited," Fernandez said. "She brings the program to the national level."
RECRUITING SEASON: Football recruiting kicks into high gear the moment the Memphis game ends Saturday. USF received a commitment from Immokalee quarterback Louis Gachette and is heavily recruiting Deerfield Beach blue-chip quarterback Brent Schaeffer. This week Schaeffer told rivals.com he will visit USF, Tennessee, Kansas State and possibly two others.
Another blue-chipper considering USF is former Dixie Hollins star running back Andre Hall, one of the nation's premier junior college players. He visited USF last weekend and told rivals.com, "I had a good time." Hall also is considering Oklahoma State, North Carolina and Nebraska.
- Pete Young covers USF sports. He can be reached at 813 226-3346 or via e-mail at young@sptimes.com
