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Timeouts taken for remembrance

By PETE YOUNG

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 23, 2001

MEMPHIS -- There were several acknowledgments of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and subsequent relief efforts before Saturday's game between South Florida and Memphis.

All military personnel, police and firefighters in the crowd were asked to stand and were given an ovation. Then the Memphis band played God Bless America.

After both teams came on the field at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, there was a moment of silence followed by the national anthem. Customarily in college football, the teams are in the locker room during the anthem, but both teams asked to be on the field Saturday.

FIRST-TIME FIRST TEAMERS: Freshman Levi Newton earned his first career start at right guard for USF. Newton (6 feet 4, 305 pounds), from Jacksonville Trinity Christian, started for senior Jimmy Fitts, who moved to center in place of injured Alex Herron. Newton and senior Ken "Shaq" Dawson rotated.

Sophomore wide receiver Huey Whittaker, freshman tight end Tim Jones and senior running back Derrick Rackard also earned their first starts. Jones made his first career catch late in the first quarter.

Whittaker was starting for DeAndrew Rubin, the Bulls' leading receiver and top kick and punt returner. Rubin, who sustained turf toe to his right big toe in the Sept. 8 win at Pittsburgh, didn't enter until just over four minutes remained in the first quarter, on USF's third possession. He played sparingly the rest of the half.

MORE NEW GUYS: There were three new starters on the defensive line for USF: sophomore Shurron Pierson at defensive end (for Chris Daley), junior Tavares Jurineack at nose tackle (for Greg Walls) and redshirt freshman Matt Groelinger at defensive tackle (for Tchecoy Blount). It was Pierson's first career start. Also, redshirt freshman kicker Justin Geisler of Land O'Lakes handled kickoffs.

THE REAL STUFF, FOR THE MOST PART: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium has natural grass prescription turf -- between the sidelines. Circling the field, on the sidelines and beyond the end zones, is artificial turf.

BAD -- NO, VERY BAD -- START: Memphis took the opening kickoff and went through the South Florida defense like it wasn't there, except when it was committing a penalty. The Tigers needed just one minute and three plays, all passes, to go 80 yards for a 7-0 lead. Penalties for roughing the passer and illegal participation on USF aided the Memphis cause.

SPURRIER WOULD APPROVE: Memphis has frequently used No. 2 quarterback Neil Suber this season, and he entered Saturday late in the first quarter. After starter Travis Anglin made a 56-yard run, Suber, a senior who has played extensively in his career, came in on first down from the USF 27. Five plays later, Memphis scored for a 17-0 lead.

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