Colleges

Cards likely will challenge USF more than Orange

By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published November 12, 2007

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - For the first time in a month, USF pieced everything together in Saturday's 41-10 win against Syracuse.

The Bulls 7-3, 2-3 Big East had a school-record 582 yards of offense with only one turnover and zero sacks allowed. The defense forced four turnovers, held Syracuse to 15 rushing yards and didn't give up big plays.

They'll need all of that again this week in their home finale against Louisville, which has a suspect, porous defense much like Syracuse's but something the Orange certainly doesn't: one of the nation's most prolific offenses.

"They're tremendous," USF coach Jim Leavitt said of the Cardinals offense. "No weaknesses. We're going to have to play a complete game, play well in every area."

Instead of Syracuse quarterback Cameron Dantley, who made his first career start Saturday, the Bulls face senior Brian Brohm, who has more than 10,000 passing yards with a Big East-best 28 touchdowns this season.

That passing attack will test senior cornerbacks Trae Williams and Mike Jenkins in their final game at Raymond James Stadium.

"Louisville will be a tough game," Williams said. "This win helps boost our spirits back up, probably gets us back on a winning track."

Syracuse went 2-for-11 on third downs against USF, and even after most starters were on the bench, the prideful defense held off one last scoring threat in the final minute with a goal-line stand.

"It was just a case of not giving up big plays this week, playing a little bit smarter, tackling a little bit better," defensive coordinator Wally Burnham said. "Our kids have been working, trying to get this going for three weeks."

On offense, quarterback Matt Grothe said limiting turnovers was "by far" the most important key to ending the three-game skid. After eight turnovers in a loss to Cincinnati, the Bulls had just one at Syracuse, an interception.

"The turnover is the one thing you focus in on," Leavitt said. "Run defense is big and just securing the football."

Ending the three-game losing streak should give players more confidence, though Leavitt wouldn't acknowledge such a benefit.

"They're always confident. They're confident going into every game. It doesn't change it one bit," Leavitt said. "These guys battle their tail off all the time. I'm as proud of them as I was last week, the week before and the week before that. It doesn't have anything to do with it."

Linebacker Ben Moffitt said the trip home from New York would be much nicer than the last two quiet flights the Bulls have taken after road losses and that emotion will carry over to this final stretch.

"It always helps you get a little bit more confidence when you win," Moffitt said. "It's a good thing."

Greg Auman can be reached at auman@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3346.

[Last modified November 11, 2007, 22:36:43]