Victory is among ESPN2's top-rated
The USF-West Virginia game drew a 2.7 rating, second-best in ESPN2 history for a regular-season college football game.
By GREG AUMAN
Published October 2, 2007
TAMPA - Friday's USF-West Virginia football game at Raymond James Stadium is the second-highest regular-season football broadcast ever for ESPN2, viewed by an estimated 2.6-million households.
According to ESPN, the game drew a Nielsen rating of 2.7, which is second in ESPN2's history behind LSU-Tennessee in 2005. The USF-West Virginia ratings are the second-highest since ESPN2 started broadcasting college football in 1993, a span of more than 525 games.
USF's 21-13 win against then-No. 5 West Virginia was the second Friday night game on ESPN2 to feature two ranked opponents. It was the highest combined ranking for such a game.
ANOTHER HONOR:For the third time in five weeks, a different Bull earned Big East Defensive Player of the Week honors. Ben Moffitt won the award a day after being named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week.
The senior had two interceptions against West Virginia, returning one 26 yards for a touchdown. Past winners: end George Selvie and safety Nate Allen.
TV UPDATE: The next two games are on ESPNU, at Florida Atlantic on Saturday and against visiting Central Florida on Oct. 13. A noon kickoff is scheduled for the Knights game.
ADDED INTEREST: USF is expecting consecutive sellouts as six additional upper level sections were opened Sunday. A similar crowd to West Virginia's 67,018 is anticipated.
Before this season, the upper deck has been opened three times, all in 2005.
The added interest since the Bulls have been ranked No. 6 has resulted in the opening of the upper deck for the final two home games against Big East foes Louisville and Cincinnati.
INJURY REPORT: Left guard Matt Huners participated in full workouts for the first time since tearing his ACL in the spring game. There is no timetable for his return.
Times correspondent Brendan Galella contributed to this report.