College football: USF 45-Rutgers 31

RB needs little time to make mark on USF record book

By GREG AUMAN
Published November 6, 2005

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - In just two seasons at USF, Andre Hall has the most touchdowns in school history, and the Bulls' career rushing record could be his by next weekend.

Hall, carrying a career-high 35 times, scored three touchdowns in Saturday's win and became the second back in USF history to rush for 2,000 career yards. He needs 131 to pass Rafael Williams (2,253) atop the Bulls' rushing list.

"We wanted to see if we could run the ball a little bit," said coach Jim Leavitt, who got 60 yards from Hall in the first quarter. "That Andre Hall is a very good running back."

Hall, a Dixie Hollins graduate, moved past Clenton Crossley (2001-04) into the Bulls' career lead for total touchdowns with 23. He's also tied with Marquel Blackwell (1999-2002) with 20 career rushing touchdowns. Hall has rewritten the Bulls' rushing records in just 17 games, and Williams played during the Bulls' first four seasons in Division I-AA.

"Y'all haven't seen Dre's best game yet," defensive end Terrence Royal said. "How many games do we have left? I'm telling you, he still has his best game yet."

REMEMBERING B-MO: The Bulls wore a black No.12 on the back of their helmets in memory of former USF basketball player Bradley Mosley, who died Oct.29 at age 22 after a yearlong battle with kidney cancer. Senior safety Johnnie Jones came up with the idea for the tribute.

WELL, OKAY: Twice in the first half, USF lined up to punt on fourth and short in Rutgers territory, only to change its mind and go for it.

Facing fourth and 2 on the Rutgers 35 in the first quarter, Hall was stuffed for no gain. The strategy worked out fine, however, as the Bulls scored two defensive touchdowns in the next four plays.

With 1:58 left in the first half, USF had fourth and 1 from the Rutgers 33, and Leavitt initially opted to punt. After Rutgers declined a delay of game penalty and used a timeout, USF decided to go for it, converting on Hall's 2-yard run. The Bulls got a 20-yard Kyle Bronson field goal, giving them a 31-14 halftime lead.

"It was really just a gut deal," Leavitt said. "I wanted momentum. I turned to all our players and said, "You guys better do something, because I'm going to look ridiculous if we don't get this thing.' "

THIS AND THAT: Backup quarterback Courtney Denson saw his first action at receiver, running patterns on one first-half drive. Freshman Carlton Hill took pregame repetitions at quarterback, and Leavitt said Denson will continue to work at receiver. ... After catching nine passes in his first six games, sophomore receiver Amarri Jackson had a busy first half, catching six for 56 yards. He finished with seven for 68. ... Rutgers fires a cannon after each touchdown, and celebrated early when tight end Clark Harris took a 31-yard catch inside the 1-yard line. The play was reviewed but upheld, drawing boos from the crowd, but Brian Leonard scored two plays later, meriting another cannon blast. ... USF punter Brandon Baker didn't have a punt in the first half, then struggled in the second, averaging 30.5 yards on four attempts.

[Last modified November 6, 2005, 02:02:18]