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TAMPA - On the day his senior season at USF would have begun, Brian Fisher started Saturday in a Hillsborough County jail, carrying out a short sentence for a misdemeanor charge of driving with a suspended license last month.
Fisher, last season's offensive MVP, was to redshirt to deal with off-field problems but has since withdrawn from classes at USF. He was sentenced to three days in jail Thursday but served only about seven hours, getting credit for time served. He turned himself in at 9:40 p.m. Friday and was released at 3:18 a.m. Saturday. It's his fifth stint in jail since March, all related to delinquent payment of child support to two women in his native Pensacola.
Coach Jim Leavitt has said Fisher cannot return to the program until he resolves his legal problems relating to the child support, but public records show he has made minimal progress in that area.
He is required to pay the two women a combined $135.63 a week, but in the five weeks since his last arrest, he has sent four checks totaling $288.18. He has not been able to lower his total support owed, which is now $18,768.
When he has needed money to get himself out of jail, Fisher has been able to do so. Twice since April, he has paid a "cash purge" required after arrests to be released, and those sent payments of $500 and $750 to the two women.
WELCOME ABOARD: Four freshmen made their Bulls debuts, notably safety Danny Verpaele, who played on special teams and recovered a punt blocked by Mike Jenkins to set up the second touchdown. Running back Andre Copeland played one series in the second quarter, gaining 1 yard on his carry, and freshmen receivers Johnny Peyton (Dade City) and Jackie Chambers played in the first half.
MOVING UP: Senior Clenton Crossley moved into second place on USF's career rushing list with a 2-yard carry in the second quarter. Crossley passed Dyral McMillan, who had 1,246 yards from 1998-99, but will need a strong season to challenge the Bulls' all-time leader, Rafael Williams, who totaled 2,253 from 1997-2000. Crossley started at running back and platooned with junior Andre Hall, who came in on the Bulls' third drive and scored a 2-yard touchdown.
WORTH A TRY: Senior Santiago Gramatica attempted a 58-yard field goal at the end of the first half, but his kick fell well short, landing in the end zone. The Bulls record for longest field goal belongs to his brother, Bill, who hit a 63-yarder against Austin Peay in 2000. Bill, cut by the New York Giants last month, was in attendance Saturday.
THIS AND THAT: Senior defensive end Jason Allen of Fort Myers will miss this season with a torn pectoral muscle. He's expected to seek a medical redshirt. Another senior defensive end, Tim Jones, is healthy but did not dress and is expected to redshirt this season after starting 11 games last season. ... Softball coach Ken Eriksen, an assistant coach for the gold-medal U.S. softball team in Athens, was honored at midfield at halftime. ... The "USF" and "Bulls" in the Raymond James Stadium might have been painted last week for the original season opener against Pittsburgh, but only faded silhouettes remained in blank end zones. The Bucs flag at midfield was painted white and covered with the "U" USF logo.