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USF football capsules

By Compiled by SHARON GINN and ANTONYA ENGLISH

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 17, 2000

RYAN BENJAMIN: Long snapper, 6-2, 250

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Including Saturday's finale, he will have missed just under one half of action in 44 consecutive games. Is solid special teams specialist for long snaps on punts, field goals and point after attempts.

NOTABLE: Walked on to the team as a defensive end, but when the team desperately began searching for a long snapper, Benjamin gave it a try. He succeeded, earned a scholarship and has had the job ever since.

QUOTABLE: "I have no regrets. I've loved every minute I've had out here. It was great. We've been through a lot of hard times and a lot of good times, but for the most part it has been good. I've grown close to the original 14 as well as other guys that have been through the program. I've had a lot of close friendships and hopefully we'll continue to be friends when it's over. We've been through a lot together."

OTIS DIXON: Fullback, 5-9, 220

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: His 16 rushing touchdowns ties him with Rafael Williams for No. 1 on USF's career list. ... Averaged 5.8 yards a carry in 1998 on his way to earning offensive most valuable player honors. ... Had 67 carries for 389 yards and nine receptions for 144 yards that year. ... No. 4 on USF's career rushing list with 634 career yards.

NOTABLE: Missed most of the 1999 season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in the third game, an injury that has kept him from extensive playing time this season. ... Played for USF's baseball team in 1998 and 1999.

ON HIS YEARS WITH THE BULLS: "That's a whole book. I can't really put it into words. There's been ups and downs, but through God's grace, he's gotten me to this point, and I'm thankful for it."

EDWIN GREENE: Cornerback, 5-11, 180

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Started first three games in the inaugural season and had 15 tackles and one broken up pass in 11 appearances. Missed most of 1998 season with a quadriceps injury. Returned in 1999 and played in all 11 games as both a defensive back and on on special teams.

NOTABLE: Expects to earn his degree in special education in the summer. Says he plans to teach for three or four years, then become a counselor so he can give something back to young people.

QUOTABLE: "It was an emotional roller coaster (his career). At times you just loved being around your teammates and you loved everything about football and then at times you would go through adversity. ... I've been through times when I felt neglected, but you have to be strong. You've got to want to graduate, you've got to want to be in college. It can't just be about football. If it was just football, I would have quit a long time ago -- that's how hard it was (in the beginning). But now that I've gotten through it, it was well worth it. It has made me a better person."

STEVE HATLEY: Defensive end, 6-2, 245

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Best season was in 1997, when he had 20 tackles, four for a loss, and started six games. ... This season has 10 tackles, one for a loss. ... Recovered a fumble in a 17-10 victory over Southwest Texas State in 1999.

NOTABLE: The Northeast High graduate is a former walk-on. ... Has had three knee surgeries, the most recent one in January.

ON THE FINAL GAME: "I know I'm probably going to be out there on the field taking it all in. I might even pull up a chunk of grass. ... It's going to be overwhelming."

SHAWN HAY: Defensive end, 6-4, 260

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: USF's all-time sacks leader with 17, including eight in the inaugural season. He has two this season. ... Had his first career interception against James Madison on Sept. 16. ... Forced three fumbles in 1999.

NOTABLE: One of three who has played every game, he has started 41 of 43. ... Consistently has been USF's top defensive lineman.

QUOTABLE: "In 10 years, when this team is winning Conference USA (titles) and getting to bowl games, you hope nobody's forgotten how the program started. I'll be there to let everybody know."

ANTHONY HENRY: Cornerback, 6-2, 200

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Four-year starter moved from free safety before this season and is making more big plays than ever. He has four interceptions, eight pass breakups, a fumble recovery and 39 tackles (four for a loss). ... Racked up 64 tackles in 1999 despite playing just nine games. ... Career interceptions leader with nine. ... In 1999 had a career-high 18 tackles against James Madison and 12 against USF's first I-A opponent, San Diego State. ... Earned second-team I-AA All-Independent honors in 1997. ... Has seen spot duty at quarterback and on returns.

NOTABLE: The only four-year captain, Henry is also considered the team's best athlete and has the best shot (besides kicker Bill Gramatica) of being drafted in April. ... A partial qualifier when he arrived at USF, he graduated in four years so he could be eligible for this season.

QUOTABLE: "In a lot of cases, I wouldn't have been as motivated to get my education. Here I had to graduate to play football. I guess you can say it all worked out perfectly. A lot of things that come easily are not exactly the best way to do it."

CHARLIE JACKSON: Wide receiver, 5-7, 165

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Has more receptions (102) and receiving yards (1,332) than anyone in USF history. ... Also is No. 1 in career all-purpose yards (3,178) and return yards (1,783). ... Surpassed the 100-yard mark for the first time against Western Kentucky two weeks ago when he had five catches for 101 yards. ... Despite missing two games, is on pace to have his best year as a receiver. He has 22 catches for 366 yards, third on the team.

NOTABLE: Caught a 70-yard touchdown on the first play of USF's first-ever scrimmage in September 1996.

QUOTABLE: "It's been the best experience of my life. The coaches, they love you so much. They drive you. ... We've grown so much into a family here that it's unbelievable."

ROY MANNS: Free/strong safety, 5-11, 185

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: The team's all-time tackle leader entering the season, he is tied for the lead this season with 75 and now has 316. ... Has eight career interceptions, including three returns for touchdowns. ... Earned first-team I-AA All-Independent honors in 1999 and second-team in 1997.

NOTABLE: Has started 42 of 43 games. ... Moved to free safety for the remainder of the season when Jay Mize suffered a season-ending neck injury against Troy State. ... Originally a walk-on, he won a scholarship -- and a reputation -- with hard hitting and aggressive play.

QUOTABLE: "It's a great blessing to be one of the ones who started the program off. It's not often a guy coming out of high school gets a chance to do that. ... The future for this program looks very, very bright. I'm looking forward to coming back and seeing those younger guys play."

VASSAY MARC: Linebacker, 6-2, 230

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Named to the Butkus Award "watch list" in the preseason and was considered an NFL prospect until a season-ending neck injury. ... Was on his way to his best season, with 33 tackles (five for a loss), three forced fumbles and 1.5 sacks in five games. ... Had 79 tackles in 1998, including six for a loss (two sacks).

NOTABLE: His 2000 season was cut short because of a herniated disc in his neck. He has not played since Sept. 30 against Troy State. ... May still be able to participate in NFL combines this winter and spring. ... Earned a college scholarship despite playing only special teams at Miami Northwestern High.

QUOTABLE: "Me not playing, it hurts me so much because ... I helped start this. It brings tears to my eyes knowing I won't be able to (play). I'm going to come out with the team, but it's not going to be the same."

LEON MATTHEWS: Wide receiver, 6-2, 190

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Played in all 11 games in 1998, catching 15 passes, including four touchdowns, averaging 18.7 yards per catch. Had a three-game stretch with a touchdown catch in each.

NOTABLE: After going through Fall drills with the team in 1996, Matthews left the program in 1997 and did not play in the Inaugural season. Returned in summer of 1998. Averaging 7.6 yards per catch this season.

CORY PORTER: Receiver, 6-3, 195

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: His best season was 1997, when he started the final three games and finished with 15 catches for 143 yards in 10 games. ... Scored his only touchdown against Cumberland in 1997. ... After just three total catches in 1998 and 1999, has four this season for 17 yards.

NOTABLE: One of the hardest working players on the team. ... Graduate of Tarpon Springs High.

QUOTABLE: "I love those guys so much. Me and Rafael (Williams) were talking the other day. When we get old we're going to have anniversary picnics, like every two years -- the original 14, getting together. I've been thinking about taping stuff Leavitt says and waiting until the first picnic and playing it."

JOEY SIPP: Center, 6-0, 285

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Switched from starting guard in 1997 to center in 1998, where he will end his career. Anchored the offensive line in 1998 that helped pave the way for an offense that averaged 408.9 yards per game, including 191.5 on the ground. Was honored as the team's top offensive lineman in 1999.

NOTABLE: Sipp is the only South Florida player to start every game in USF's history. Is a two-year team captain.

QUOTABLE: "I didn't have any idea if I was going to play one game or at all. I started out saying I was going to do my best and see what happens. And this is what happened -- I started every game. I told myself if I did get a starting position, I was going to try my hardest not to let anybody beat me out. It has been a great experience."

MARSHALL SMITH: Linebacker, 5-10, 205

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Second on the team in 1999 with 73 tackles, six for a loss, despite starting just two games. ... Won I-AA Independent national player of the week honors in 1997 for his 13 tackles (eight solo) against Morehead State. ... Ran 25 yards on a fake punt against Liberty this season in his first game since missing three with a sprained medial collateral ligament.

NOTABLE: Earned his degree in August. ... Has a reputation for resiliency -- he's twice battled back from injury -- hard work and good humor. ... Was a walk-on in 1996.

QUOTABLE: "I'm okay with it, coming to the end. ... I wouldn't change anything. It's really been a fun trip."

RAFAEL WILLIAMS: Running back, 5-9, 190

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: USF's all-time leading rusher with 2,188 yards, nearly 1,000 more than No. 2 Dyral McMillan. ... Also has most 100-yard games (seven) and is tied with Dixon for most rushing touchdowns (16). ... Has 639 yards on a career-high 156 carries and two touchdowns this season. ... Scored USF's first touchdown, a 1-yard run against Kentucky Wesleyan. ... Rushed for 729 yards in 1997.

NOTABLE: Injury (tendinitis in his knee) and the emergence of McMillan pushed Williams into the background in 1999. He finished with 234 yards on 58 carries, both easily career lows. ... Graduated last spring.

QUOTABLE: "We're ready for the real world. If we can go through that year of practicing and not playing, we can do anything."

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