Colleges

Vitale says Ford will get him to first Bulls game

By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published September 3, 2007

TAMPA - Running back Mike Ford gained plenty of fans Saturday with his three-touchdown, 84-yard debut in a 28-13 win against Elon, but the freshman has a loyal following from his days at Sarasota High.

"He's the real deal, an absolutely superb talent," ESPN basketball analyst Dick Vitale said, calling from Wrigley Field, where he threw out Sunday's first pitch. "I watched him throughout his high school career, and I think South Florida might have one of the best young players you could have."

Vitale, who lives in Sarasota, said he was with his son-in-law, former Notre Dame quarterback Thomas Krug, the first time he saw Ford, and Krug saw greatness in the teenager.

"Right away, he said, 'He could play anywhere in the country,' " Vitale said. "He's legitimate. Such great balance, great vision. He's explosive. Wow. If he does everything Jim Leavitt asks him to do, I think his potential is huge."

Vitale said he got a call last week from athletic director Doug Woolard, who invited him to a game. That and the chance to see Ford again are enough reason to get Vitale up to Tampa.

"I have not seen South Florida play in person in their 11-year history," Vitale said, "but I guarantee I will be there this year."

STILL UPSET: Leavitt said he stayed up until 9 a.m. Sunday watching film and evaluating the opener.

"Special teams are the biggest area of concern. We need to make a number of changes there," Leavitt said. "We have to do some different things, and it's not necessarily all personnel."

Receiver Amarri Jackson muffed a punt return, punter Justin Teachey dropped a snap and was tackled for a loss, and USF allowed Elon to recover an onside kick in the final minutes. Elon's only touchdown came after the Bulls kept a drive alive with a roughing-the-punter penalty.

"It's remarkable that we played as badly as we did and still won, let alone won by two touchdowns," Leavitt said. "There's no way you should win with the amount of mistakes we made."

THIS AND THAT: Three true freshmen made their debut: Ford, running back Jamar Taylor and receiver Dontavia Bogan. Leavitt said he'll consider using other freshmen unless the team's play improves. "Nobody's redshirting right now," he said. ... Leavitt said cornerback Tyller Roberts was held out with a hamstring injury but also needs to finish an incomplete class.

Greg Auman can be reached at auman@sptimes.com and at 813 226-3346.

[Last modified September 2, 2007, 21:24:51]