USF Sun Bowl Update - Dec. 26
December 26, 2007 | Football
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2007 Brut Sun Bowl Ticket Information Brut Sun Bowl Ticket Donation |
10 - Noon Eastern -- Football Practice at USF
The final practice at USF for the senior class, which surely had some sentimental feelings coming off. This is the last collegiate football appearance for USF stars Mike Jenkins, Trae Williams and Ben Moffitt, all who may come back through Tampa with promising NFL careers on the horizon.
Jim Leavitt was happy with the short practice after the Christmas holiday. "You worry about the rust and energy anytime you're away from the practice field," said Leavitt. "We pushed them hard today and they responded. They have all season long, so that was not a surprise at all. It was a good practice."
1:30 p.m. Eastern -- Fly to El Paso, Texas
The plane was full to the brim with a travel party of 265 including the entire team, staff, coaches, families, band members and cheerleaders.
Kudos are due to the USF players for taking care of business in the classroom. While numerous schools have made unfortunate news with players being ineligible due to academics, USF will not be one of those teams. USF traveled its entire roster with everyone academically eligible.
3:30 p.m. Mountain -- Land in El Paso, Texas | 
Photos | 
Video
Stay tuned for video and photos from the Sun Bowl welcoming committee, which included a Mariachi band and the 2007 Sun Bowl Princesses.
6 p.m. Mountain - BBQ and Talent Show at Sunset Park, New Mexico | Photos
The Bulls had the crowd on their feet celebrating and rolling in the aisles with laughter. Ryan Gilliam led off with a comedic re-enactment of a Jim Leavitt press conference. He was followed by defensive lineman turned R&B crooner Julian Riley.
Freshman offensive lineman Chaz Hine stunned everyone with his singing skills. Hine is a music major, who has been professionally trained to sing opera music. His abilities were on full display with a rendition of a Mozart song.
Hine's performance was only topped by the surprising debut of freshman Mike Ford's musical abilities.
Ford began by rapping over Delbert Alvarado's beat boxing (picture to right). Then he moved to the drums and impressed all. He concluded his one-man musical show on the keyboard, where he led the team in the classic sing-a-long "Lean on Me". He closed the night by remixing "Lean on Me" with a hip-hop flavor.
Oregon's Jason Williams did a stand up outine, that included a crack on all the USF Florida natives that have dreadlocks.
The Ducks' talent show highlight was provided by the Polynesian Ducks, who did a tradition dance in paint and traditional attire. It garnered a standing ovation for the USF side of the room.
Stay tuned for video highlights and photos from the talent show. And watch the local papers, it won't be the last time you read about Ford's musical abilities. Ryan Gilliam as Jim Leavitt in a Press Conference USF R&B singer Julian Riley Freshman Chaz Hine shocks all with some Mozart Mike Ford & Delbert Alvarado show off rapping skills Amarri Jackson, Sabboth Joseph and Ford lead dance routine Mike Ford shows off his skills on the drums The Polynesian Ducks
Daily News Clippings
El Paso Times: USF coach says Bulls excited
Eugene Register Guard: Year rises, falls with UO
St. Pete Times: There is a little Duck in Gilliam
St. Pete Times: Jenkins hopes to finish with a win
St. Pete Times: Remember these names
Tampa Tribune: Humble Beginnings for USF's Selvie
Tampa Tribune: USF takes full roster to Sun Bowl
