USF 21, TENN. TECH 7: A raggedy win over I-AA's Tennessee Tech costs USF its starting QB.
By GREG AUMAN
Published September 12, 2004
TAMPA - Thanks, Frances?
Shortly after USF escaped Saturday with a season-opening 21-7 win against Division I-AA's Tennessee Tech, Bulls coach Jim Leavitt stopped himself as he suggested it might be a blessing that a hurricane blew through the state and postponed an opener against a tougher opponent.
"We were probably fortunate we didn't play Pittsburgh the first week," Leavitt said. "I guess the Lord - the Lord didn't bless us, because we don't want bad things to happen to people who are hurt. That's not what I mean. But as a football team, we were probably fortunate we waited."
USF fans waited a week to see the 2004 Bulls, and though much has changed, this much can be said: Their defense can still bail out their offense when necessary. Saturday was supposed to be a light, overdue opener, with no real heavy lifting against a I-AA team that went 2-9 last season.
Instead, the Bulls escaped with their starting quarterback injured, their offense still working out kinks, their special teams sprouting problems and the defense saving USF from an upset.
"We really struggled tonight, and we talked about it in the locker room," said defensive end Craig Kobel, who had one of USF's five sacks. "Our performance tonight, it's not going to get it done against South Carolina."
USF held TTU to 145 yards, 31 fewer than any Bulls opponent last season, and the Golden Eagles' only touchdown came on a short field after a turnover. The Bulls tallied five sacks and batted down four passes, and when the defense needed a stop most, it did one better. Trae Williams, a redshirt freshman from Durant playing every down because of a concussion to starter Mike Jenkins, intercepted a pass and returned it 37 yards to give USF a 21-7 lead.
A half earlier, the Bulls' only game this season against a I-AA opponent looked to be playing out as expected. The teams traded six punts to open the game, but field position became a decided advantage for the Bulls, leading to two short touchdown drives and a 14-0 lead.
The second score came with a price, however, as sophomore quarterback Pat Julmiste sprained his right knee on the play before his 3-yard touchdown run and did not return. Senior Ronnie Banks, who started seven games last season, finished with 70 passing yards, did not lead the Bulls to any offensive points and threw an interception that put USF's lead in jeopardy.
Julmiste completed 4 of 6 passes for 23 yards and rushed seven times for 14 yards. Walking gingerly after the game, he said he didn't know how quickly he would return but would know more after treatment today.
Banks' biggest mistake came late in the third quarter, when he floated a pass that safety Brandon Shelby intercepted and returned 32 yards down the right sideline. A pass interference penalty in the end zone set TTU up on the USF 2, and on third and goal from the 8, Robert Craft found running back Trey Bonner for a touchdown, cutting the lead to 14-7.
USF's only offensive touchdowns came on drives of 37 and 21 yards, the first set up by a 25-yard reverse by receiver J.B. Garris. Julmiste's 16-yard pass to Allynson Sheffield preceded Andre Hall's 2-yard touchdown, which gave USF a 7-0 lead with 1:47 left in the first.
Kobel came up big on TTU's next drive, batting down a pass and then sacking Craft for a 9-yard loss on third down. On Chris Cummings' fourth punt attempt, Jenkins broke through and blocked the punt cleanly, setting USF up on the TTU 21. Five plays later, Julmiste scored on a 3-yard carry for a 14-0 lead.
The block was a highlight on an otherwise disappointing night for USF's special teams, which had one punt blocked and saw Bruce Gipson benched after fumbling a punt return.
Jenkins left the game on a frightening play. TTU receiver Drew Hixon went across the middle on a 22-yard gain, and Jenkins and safety Javan Camon came together for a crushing tackle that sent Hixon's helmet rolling, knocked the ball loose and left Hixon motionless for several minutes. He was carted off on a stretcher and remained at St. Joseph's Hospital overnight, the good news being his injury wasn't life-threatening.
Jenkins, who needed help off the field, sustained a mild concussion and did not return. His absence is what put Williams, who practiced at running back and receiver last season and did not move to defense until this year, on the field when Craft lofted a pass down the USF sideline. Williams weaved through several Golden Eagles before diving into the end zone to give USF the comfort of a 14-point lead.
The Bulls were thankful for a victory and happy with little else. "We certainly know we need to play better," said Leavitt, whose team visits South Carolina on Saturday. "If we play like we played tonight, we're in for a long, long day up there. ... You can call it ugly, or any way you want to call it. We've had ugly wins, and I don't mind it if we can shore up the mistakes for next time."
