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By PETE YOUNG
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 21, 2001
He might never have a significant impact on the field for South Florida, but sophomore defensive end Ian Blackwell already has had a big effect off it.
Few individuals have been waylaid by as much physical adversity as Blackwell since he arrived at South Florida in fall 1999.
Over the holidays in December 1999, Blackwell had an emergency appendectomy. He missed spring drills, then injured a knee last summer that caused him to miss the first five games of the season. This spring Blackwell broke an ankle. He was recovering during the summer when he contracted Bell's palsy.
Sept. 10, Blackwell practiced for the first time this season.
"Ian Blackwell's been through more than anybody I've known," coach Jim Leavitt said. "He has tremendous character, a great attitude. We're excited just to be around him."
Blackwell's resolve has helped his coach put things in perspective.
"He teaches me a lot, about perseverance and dealing with adversity," Leavitt said. "Shoot, I've never gone through the things he's gone through. It helps me in my life when I think I'm going through a tough day or something. It doesn't compare to what he's gone through."
OUT OF THE GATE: The men's soccer team swept two overtime thrillers at the Duke Tournament in Durham, N.C., last weekend to earn a No. 15 national ranking from Soccer America and No. 5 south region ranking. The Bulls beat North Carolina State 2-1 in double overtime Friday and Duke 2-1 in overtime Sunday.
Senior forward Jason Cudjoe scored the winning goal against the Wolfpack and the tying goal late in the second half against the Blue Devils. He was named tournament MVP and Conference USA player of the week for Sept. 3-9. Cudjoe scored again Sept. 12 as USF beat Stetson 3-0 to improve to 5-0. The Bulls host Cincinnati at 7 p.m. Saturday.
BUT LOOK OUT FOR NO. 2: Vince Brewer has started the first two games at running back and gotten the bulk of the work, accruing team-best totals of 17 carries for 82 yards (4.8 average).
Lurking in the background, however, is sophomore junior college transfer Quinton Callum. In his first collegiate action in the win at Pittsburgh, Callum showed a burst through the hole. He had runs of 14 and 8 yards and finished with 28 yards on five carries.
Keep an eye on Callum. He joined the team Aug. 5 and should get more playing time as the season progresses.
KEEP AN EYE ON, PART II: USF's up-tempo, spread attack demands many things, including a deep wide receiver corps.
The offense requires three or four receivers to run patterns every down, then hustle back to the line of scrimmage for the next play. The Bulls have used a six-receiver rotation the first two games: DeAndrew Rubin, Chris Iskra, Hugh Smith, Ryan Hearn, Brian Fisher and Huey Whittaker.
While Rubin is the go-to man and breakaway threat, Whittaker (6 feet 5, 225 pounds) is an emerging force. The sophomore from Springstead, who has eight receptions for 82 yards, is a fear-inducing physical presence with good receiving skills and deceptive speed.
Against Pittsburgh, Whittaker caught a middle screen, followed his blocking and effortlessly glided 50 yards for a touchdown. The play, however, was reduced to an 18-yard catch because of downfield holding. Like Callum, Whittaker is a player to watch.
- Pete Young covers USF sports. He can be reached at (727) 893-8129 or via e-mail at