Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Big finale doesn't fool Leavitt

"We haven't done a thing at the I-A level. Not a thing,'' USF coach says.

By SHARON GINN

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 20, 2000

TAMPA -- Sure, South Florida's 59-0 victory over Division I-AA, non-scholarship Austin Peay was warm and fuzzy. The Bulls said goodbye to 25 seniors, 14 of whom had been with the program since the first practice in 1996. Senior Bill Gramatica punctuated the evening with a 63-yard field goal that ranks as the second-longest without a tee in Division I history.

But the victory, though overwhelming, likely won't be the way coach Jim Leavitt remembers the end of this season. The emotional moments have passed -- Leavitt says he's "not really a huggy-type person" -- and now it's time for him to dwell on what happened a week ago.

The 45-9 loss at Middle Tennessee State on Nov. 11 told Leavitt the Bulls have far to go to establish themselves as a I-A team. USF finished 7-4 with a schedule that included five I-A teams and three I-AA powers, but the schedule gets harder next year when the Bulls move into I-A.

Leavitt frets about that, and about the loss of 14 starters, unprecedented in the program's four years. But, he said, he relishes the challenge.

"This is just a step," he said. "I'm probably more charged about this program than I ever have been. We're not done. ... It's a process, and that's why it's so exciting.

"We haven't done a thing at the I-A level. Not a thing."

Even Saturday, Leavitt had an eye on the future. The seniors got less playing time than usual, in part to ease up on Austin Peay but also to give younger players a chance to emerge.

Freshman Vince Brewer had a breakout game, rushing for 105 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. The Bulls will need to replace center Joey Sipp, who started all 44 games of his career, so junior offensive guard Jimmy Fitts took snaps. Junior backup guard Matt Sparrowhawk moved into Fitts' spot. Leavitt also got a look at junior running back Derrick Rackard (four carries, 20 yards).

Freshman defensive back Kenny Robinson took advantage of his playing time by returning an interception 64 yards for a touchdown. Freshman receiver Chris Iskra, who recently moved into the starting mix, caught two passes for 43 yards.

"There's a lot to replace," Leavitt said. "It's not going to be easy. It will be interesting to see if we can do it. ... They've got a huge hole to fill. Obviously, recruiting is going to be important."

As will the winter and summer conditioning programs for which the Bulls are known. USF has nine I-A teams on its unfinished 2001 schedule, including Memphis, Pittsburgh and Northern Illinois for three of the first four games, all of which are on the road.

"We're not naive as to what we've got to do," Leavitt said. "To establish yourself as a I-A team is a whole other world."

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright