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Bulls getting kick out of spoiling home fans

© St. Petersburg Times,
published November 12, 2001

TAMPA -- Quarterback Marquel Blackwell jogged along the railing slapping hands with fans, and one youngster asked if she could have his shoe. Wide receiver Hugh Smith walked around the sidelinearea cradling his almost 1-year-old niece, Alia, and sporting an ear-to-ear smile.

Ah, South Florida football: Another week, another blowout home victory, another love fest on the Raymond James Stadium turf afterward.

As always, a few dozen Bulls lingered on the field for several minutes after USF's 48-17 win Saturday over Western Illinois. They cavorted with each other, frolicked with fans leaning over the railing and accepted congratulations from friends and family.

It was USF's fifth straight win, all at home, and 12th straight overall at home. The Bulls have outscored their past five opponents by an average of 46-17, and they have 353 points this season, 49 shy of the team record established in 1998.

USF (7-3) can finish 7-0 at home Nov. 24 against Utah State.

"We're trying to keep that streak alive," wide receiver DeAndrew Rubin said of the home winning streak, which is tied for seventh longest in the nation. "We've been talking about it."

THE WINNER IS ... : There is a tight race among several contestants vying to lead the Bulls in rushing and receiving yards this season. With one game to go, there are four contenders for receiving honors and three for rushing.

Receiving yards: Huey Whittaker 535, Rubin 475, Chris Iskra 461, Smith 458. The team record is 537 by Clif Dell in 1998.

Rushing yards: Quinton Callum 348, Vince Brewer 307, Clenton Crossley 307. Crossley missed Saturday's game with a sprained ankle.

AGGRAVATED: Defensive end Chris Daley reaggravated an ankle sprain in the first half and did not return. Gingerly walking off the field after the game, Daley said the ankle was "pretty sore."

SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES: Sophomore Cedric Battles made his first career start in Daley's place. Starting on the opposite end was sophomore Shurron Pierson, Battles' former teammate at Wildwood High. Pierson had two sacks, giving him seven this season, 11/2 behind team leader Daley.

CLOSING IN: Junior linebacker Kawika Mitchell likely will set a USF record for tackles in a season against Utah State despite missing the Connecticut game. Mitchell led the Bulls with 11 tackles against Western Illinois and has 96 this season, one short of Roy Manns' 1999 record.

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