Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
PETE YOUNGOne of USF's biggest problems has been replacing QB Marquel Blackwell.
Miami won its first game of the season in predictably easy fashion, 48-9 over Louisiana Tech. The transition from graduated quarterback Ken Dorsey to heir apparent Brock Berlin appeared seamless.
The Hurricanes were on their way ... except that Dorsey, while not a jaw-dropping talent, was a four-year starter and exceptionally heady player. Guys like that don't roll off the assembly line ready-made, not even at Miami.
Or at South Florida.
The Bulls and 'Canes are absorbing the same lesson this fall: Succeeding a long-entrenched, ultra-successful quarterback can be problematic.
USF lost second- and fourth-round NFL draft picks and the starting front four from last season's defense, but it is the offense that has struggled to replace graduated four-year quarterback Marquel Blackwell.
"As everybody knows we've got some issues at quarterback," USF coach Jim Leavitt said. "The loss of Marquel Blackwell was a big loss, and we certainly haven't filled that void. That's been a real difficult part of it. We've still been able to win a few games in spite of it, but it has been a real transition."
Last season, against comparable competition and with most of the same supporting cast, Blackwell led USF to 30.8 points a game.
This season, under replacements Ronnie Banks, Pat Julmiste and Brian Fisher (an option specialist who normally plays receiver), USF has averaged 25.5, a figure inflated by three double-overtime games. It drops to 22.1 without the overtimes.
As a result, despite a defense that ranks second nationally allowing 3.98 yards a play, USF's record has dipped from 9-2 to 6-4 with one game remaining, Saturday at Memphis.
"I believe Ronnie Banks is doing the best job he can, and Pat Julmiste," Leavitt said. "And Brian certainly has been a warrior. But we just haven't been as strong at that position as we were a year ago, and that's been one of our biggest difficulties."
The longer a starting quarterback is at the helm the better it is for the team but the harder he is to replace. Blackwell started 42 games and last season threw just three interceptions.
Banks (127-of-261, 48.7 percent, 1,448 yards, eight touchdowns, eight interceptions), a junior, has been inconsistent. Julmiste (18-of-42, 235 yards, three touchdowns, three interceptions), a redshirt freshman, has played much of the past three games and had results similar to those of Banks, though he has had success running.
"I can remember when Marquel played his first season. He wasn't all that," Leavitt said. (Blackwell's statistics his redshirt freshman season are similar to the combined numbers of USF's 2003 quarterbacks.) "He missed a lot of open receivers, and Marquel would come up here and tell you that.
"There's a process of development."
There are other factors. The Bulls lost only three offensive regulars from last season besides Blackwell, but they were the three fastest: receivers Hugh Smith, DeAndrew Rubin and Ryan Hearn combined for 104 receptions in 2002. Also, receiver Chris Iskra has missed most of 2003 with injuries.
"Speed. We graduated a lot of speed," Leavitt said. "You're talking about three guys who run sub 4.4 40s. We have some good receivers but they don't have the speed of those guys."
Center Alex Herron has a simple, time-tested solution to increase production.
"Run the ball," Herron said. "We need to run the ball better. That's it. It takes pressure off the quarterbacks, doesn't put it all on them. When you can run the ball it always makes a huge difference."
Herron's comments were borne out in the Bulls' 22-19 loss Saturday to UAB. USF moved the ball early and late, with the running game setting up the pass. USF had 11 carries for 63 yards in the first quarter, and in the fourth quarter Vince Brewer had two rushing touchdowns.
Banks connected on a 44-yard pass to Huey Whittaker in the first quarter, and Julmiste hit Allynson Sheffield for 31 yards in the fourth. Those completions accounted for more than half of USF's passing yardage.
Regarding the future, the Bulls have a commitment from Immokalee quarterback Louis Gachette and are in hot pursuit of Deerfield Beach blue-chipper Brent Schaeffer, but it is unrealistic to expect either to play a major role next fall.
Evan Kraky, who has been home in Pennsylvania recuperating from ankle surgery, is expected to return in the spring. Kraky signed in 2002 along with Julmiste after USF missed out on St. Petersburg Catholic star Chris Davis (who opted to play receiver at Florida State) and was behind Julmiste on the depth chart. Sophomore David Mullins has had knee problems and lacks arm strength.
If the offense is to improve and help USF get a bowl bid next season, it probably will do so with Banks and/or Julmiste at quarterback.
"The guys have done an excellent job battling, really battling," Leavitt said. "We're disappointed like anybody else. It's tough. I don't have any excuses, to be honest with you. We've just got to become better."