Colleges

USF no talk, all action

The Bulls assemble a complete game and remind voters why they're ranked fifth.

By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published October 14, 2007

USF quarterback Matt Grothe tucks underneath Central Florida's Johnell Neal to score during the third quarter Saturday afternoon.
	[AP Photo]

TAMPA - The message delivered Saturday was postmarked for Orlando, but No.5 USF's 64-12 obliteration of Central Florida will be registered across the country.

"They've been talking smack the whole week," USF defensive end Jarriett Buie said. "A lot of people doubted us, underestimated us. We had to show them what it's all about."

USF (6-0) threw for a school-record 365 yards Saturday, including 212 from quarterback Matt Grothe, who also rushed for 100 yards and accounted for four touchdowns before watching the fourth quarter from the bench, along with an announced sellout of 65,948 at Raymond James Stadium.

The Bulls defense continued to dominate, holding UCF (3-3) to 145 total yards and limiting running back Kevin Smith, who came in as the nation's leading rusher, to 55 rushing yards, 117 under his average. Defensive end George Selvie had four tackles for loss, and USF turned three first-half UCF turnovers into 17 points.

"I can't believe anybody would beat us like that," said UCF quarterback Kyle Israel after the second-most lopsided loss in Knights history.

The Bulls wanted to prove themselves worthy of their high ranking, one week after a lackluster 35-23 win at Florida Atlantic. They also were motivated by comments from Orlando, such as UCF coach George O'Leary jokingly asking what league USF played in.

"All through the week, they were talking about us, not knowing what conference we're in and this and that," cornerback Trae Williams said. "We kept our mouth shut and just came ready to play. I'm going to be fired up regardless, but I guess it motivates us a little more."

Said tackle Walt Walker: "Hearing that, wow. You have to think, why would someone even say that? Push comes to shove, we all have to line up on Saturday. It's like they forget that."

The Bulls don't have time to celebrate long, as they have a short week, traveling to play Thursday night at Rutgers.

USF scored eight touchdowns, but the biggest came late in the first half, when the Bulls got the ball on their 31 with 1:03 to play. Grothe was masterful, completing passes of 13 and 8 yards, then running for 26 and 10 to get to the 9-yard line with seven seconds left.

"I really wanted to push it," Leavitt said. "I don't think you could have done a better job on that. ... The efficiency they used, how they moved the ball down the field was extraordinary."

Leavitt wanted to play it safe and call a run to the middle of the field to set up an easier field goal. Grothe and receiver Taurus Johnson asked for a shot at the end zone, suggesting the exact play.

"Matt and Taurus came up to me and said, 'It's there,'" Leavitt said. "I thought, 'I'm the coach. I'm going to do what I want to do.' So I said okay."

Grothe hit Johnson streaking toward the left corner of the end zone, and the Bulls cruised from there. They opened the second half with touchdown drives of 64 and 81 yards for a 43-10 lead, allowing Grothe and much of the starting offense an early exit.

The backups weren't any kinder to UCF. Junior Grant Gregory got his first touchdown pass, a 9-yarder to Taurus Johnson, then added a 75-yard score to Carlton Mitchell.

With 2:26 to play, as USF went for it on a fourth and 14, senior Anthony Severino got his first career TD, a 28-yarder to Jessie Hester Jr.

The win is well-timed for USF, something to show poll voters one day before the first BCS standings are released. The Bulls' focus shifts quickly to Rutgers, who handed the Bulls a 22-20 loss in Tampa last season.

"We've only played one game in the Big East," Leavitt said. "It's going to be a barnburner, these next number of weeks. You've got to see what the Big East is like. It's very strong, and anybody can beat anybody."

No. 5 USF 64

UCF 12

FAST FACTS

Big play explosion

USF's offense entered Saturday's game with just two passing plays of 30 yards or more in its first five games. It had five such plays against Central Florida, including a 75-yard touchdown from Grant Gregory that matches the fifth-longest scoring pass in USF history. Here are the big five plays, which account for more yards than UCF totaled in 67 offensive plays against the Bulls.

Pass Distance

Gregory to Carlton Mitchell 75 (TD)

Gregory to Amarri Jackson 36

Matt Grothe to Taurus Johnson 34

Grothe to Carlton Mitchell 32

Grothe to Benjamin Williams 31

[Last modified October 13, 2007, 22:46:57]