Bulls never lost control
By GREG AUMAN
Published November 6, 2006
TAMPA - Ask USF's defensive leaders for a key in their ability to limit Pittsburgh quarterback Tyler Palko in Saturday's 22-12 victory, and they'll point to the way the Bulls offense stayed on the field throughout the game.
"It's a tremendous thing," linebacker Ben Moffitt said. "There's been times in years past where we'd go three-and-out and the defense would be back on the field. It'll wear out a defense, and when you get to the fourth quarter, you get tired. It's huge when our offense can control the ball. It's a world of difference."
Pittsburgh's offense came in nationally ranked, with Palko second in pass efficiency, but Panther fans barely saw their offense early on. At one point in the second quarter, USF not only had a 14-3 lead, but the Bulls had run 30 offensive plays while Pittsburgh had 12.
Palko and Pitt finished with 46 plays, matching the lowest total by a USF opponent, Division I-AA Florida A&M last season. The Bulls' time of possession, 35:44, is the second-highest total in 36 conference games.
"That's awesome," linebacker Patrick St. Louis said. "You don't want your defense on the field all the time. We don't want our offense to go three-and-out. They need to drive the ball."
The Bulls did that when they needed to most, salting away the clock in the fourth quarter. With backup Pat Julmiste at quarterback for an injured Matt Grothe, the Bulls controlled the clock, converting third and 1 and fourth and 1. Pitt got the ball back with 1:16 left.
"I thought one of the keys to the game was our offense being able to drive for those first downs," coach Jim Leavitt said. "We told Pat what a great job he did. That was huge."
Palko wasn't the only player held in check. Running back LaRod Stephens-Howling ranked 29th nationally, averaging 88 yards. The back who had 221 yards against Syracuse did not have a run longer than 7 yards, finishing with 29 on 11 carries.
"This is the type of defense we've been playing all year," St. Louis said. "We were focused, and you could tell the guys all wanted this victory."
This week, the Bulls have less of a threat to contain - Syracuse ranks in the nation's bottom 10 in total offense, and 109th out of 119 schools in total defense.
"You don't ever take anybody lightly," Moffitt said. "We're going to come out and play hard there, and then it sets up ... who knows?"
OL COMMITS: USF picked up an oral commitment from Sampson Genus, a 6-foot-1, 305-pound offensive lineman from Lake City Columbia. "It was a nice school, a nice environment," said Genus, who was recruited by West Virginia, Mississippi State and Central Florida. Genus plays center but said he could also play guard.
Greg Auman can be reached at auman@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3346. View his blog at blogs.tampabay.com/usf/.