GoUSFBulls.com Daily News Wire

October 3

Daily Links
? GoUSFBulls.com photo gallery to view and to purchase.

? Brett McMurphy of the Tampa Tribune writes that USF couldn't take advantage of it's opportunity on ESPN top solidify itself as a national title contender.

? Gregg Becnell of the Tampa Tribune say's that the Bulls just couldn't fnd it's offensive rhythm last night against Pittsburgh.

? Brett McMurphy's USF-Pittsburgh notebook.

? Greg Auman of the St. Petersburg Times writes that despite all of their struggles, the Bulls took the lead with 5:57 left in the game and had the opportunity to win the contest at the end.

? Joe Rienzi writes that last night's game came down to one minute and 14 seconds.

? Greg Auman's USF-Pittsburgh notebook.

? St. Petersburg Times' USF-Pittsburgh photo gallery.

? Alan Dell's USF-Pittsburgh game story from the Sarasota Herald Tribune.

? Chris Umpierre covered the game for the Fort Myers News-Press and wrote this story about the USF-Pittsburgh game last night.

GoUSFBulls.com Daily News Wire

October 2

Daily Links'">
? Greg Auman writes,"Special thanks to the Times' FSU writer, Brian Landman, who passes along this quote from Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden, asked during the ACC coaches' teleconference Wednesday about USF's rapid ascent to the top 10 in both polls ...

"As good as any this state has ever seen. Probably as good as most states have ever seen," Bowden said. "It seems like South Florida came along a lot faster that we did. Their staff has just done a tremendous job. It's amazing what they have done. If you ask me the speed of it, it'd be hard to measure the speed. Let's just say faster than anybody else has done it."'

? Brett McMurphy writes,"This is the Bulls' fourth season in the Big East. They've never finished better - or worse - in league play than 4-3. A winning record in the Big East isn't good enough anymore. The goal is simple: a Big East championship."

? Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel writes," If the Bulls (5-0, 0-0 Big East) can avoid the same fate against the Panthers (3-1, 1-0), they will remain in good position to reach a Bowl Championship Series game and move up even higher in the polls. The Big East is thought to be having a down year this season, and some of the nine teams ranked ahead of USF will drop eventually, simply because they will play games against other Top-10 squads."

? The New York Times writes,"The Bulls (5-0) tore through their nonconference schedule, climbing into the top 10 for the second time in school history. To stay there, they'll likely have to do what they've never done ? win the Big East."

? Jeff Berlinicke of the Fort Myers News Press writes,"But the team that was the trendy pick to win the Big East this season promptly went out and lost its opener at home to Bowling Green and barely got past Buffalo 27-16 the next week. The Panthers have won three straight, including big victories at home over Iowa and at Syracuse."

? Joe Starkey of The Pittsburgh Tribune Review writes," Indeed, this is Pitt's big chance not only to prove the Bowling Green loss was an aberration, but also to prove itself a serious challenger for the Big East title and a worthy candidate for a top 25 national ranking."

? Paul Zeise of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes, "The Bulls feature a high-powered spread offense that leads the Big East in total offense (464.4 yards per game) and has scored 31 points or more four times. They are led by standout dual-threat quarterback Matt Grothe, who leads the Big East in touchdown passes (8), passing (235 yards per game) and total offense (278.8 yards per game), and have a host of dangerous skill position players."

GoUSFBulls.com Daily News Wire

October 1

A Few Hundred Student Tickets Still Available
USF student tickets are still available for Thursday's game versus Big East opponent Pittsburgh. Only a few hundred tickets remain, and students wishing to attend the game are encouraged to act quickly in requesting their ticket.  Visit the Student Ticket Zone Now to secure your seat.

Parking Information for Pitt Fans 
USF Athletics encourages all visiting patrons to utilize game day parking on the south side of Raymond James Stadium.  Lot 8, 9, and 10.  Game day parking is $10 per vehicle in these lots.
 
To enter lot 8 and lot 10, we recommend using Himes Ave. and lot 9 can be accessed from N. Dale Mabry Highway.  Here is a link to the Raymond James Stadium Site and parking information http://www.raymondjames.com/stadium/directions_parking.htm


Daily Links
? Greg Auman writes,"McCoy did get three rushing touchdowns last year in a 48-37 loss, but the Bulls have been especially tough against the run this season. They have yet to allow an opposing team to reach 100 rushing yards, let alone an individual."

? Auman's Live Chat Transcript

? Gregg Becnel writes, "In a span of only 16 days last season, USF went from being ranked No. 2 in the country to unranked. QB Matt Grothe believes the No. 10 Bulls (5-0) are better suited this season to handle their lofty ranking."

? Brett McMurphy writes," Erin Andrews has interviewed virtually every big-time college football coach in every conceivable situation. However, that's nothing compared to the pressure she is facing tonight."

? Jeff Berlinicke of the Fort Myers News Press,"The Bulls have played plenty of games on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays since they have ascended into the upper echelon of college football. Since the Bowl Championship Series was formed, the Big East has been somewhat of the dark horse of the coalition, which has forced conference teams to play on just about any day except Saturdays, when television is flooded with college football."

? ESPN.com's Brian Bennett writes,"Pittsburgh (3-1, 1-0 Big East) brings a different challenge for South Florida, too. The Bulls rank fourth in the nation in rushing defense, yielding just 58 yards per game on the ground. But most of their opponents have run spread offenses, letting them play primarily nickel defense."|

? The Sport Networks's Big East Conference News and Notes

What They Are Saying In Pittsburgh
? Kevin Gorman of The Pittsburgh Tribune Review writes,"It's no wonder Wannstedt called Grothe "the top quarterback in our conference" -- no small declaration, considering West Virginia senior Pat White is the reigning two-time Big East offensive player of the year."

? Paul Zeise of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, " Pitt middle linebacker Scott McKillop said stopping Grothe is the key to stopping the Bulls -- though that is much easier said than done.

"It is clear they want the ball in his hands, and he makes a lot of people look really silly. He is a great player," McKillop said. "I mean, he'll have three or four defenders around him, you think he's trapped, and somehow he gets out and makes a play.

"You have to keep him contained and don't let him bounce out. He will make some plays -- you aren't going to stop a player of his caliber, but you just have to minimize what he does and stop those big plays he makes on his own."

? An AP article on ESPN.com states,"A Top 10 opponent in a nationally televised road night game is a challenge that would appear to be too difficult for a still-building Pitt team."

? Zeise's Weekly Q&A

GoUSFBulls.com Daily News Wire

September 30

Daily Links
? Tickets still remain for the BIG East Conference opener for USF.  Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. against the Pitt Panters. To purchase tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com or proceed to the Single Game Ticket Zone on GoUSFBulls.com.  If you are planning on parking in Lot 3 on Thursday, here is some important information.

? We dug into the archives and found highlights from last season 48-37 win over Pitt, including a Grothe highlight reel, the defense's four interceptions and Mike Ford's touchdowns.

? Grothe checks in a No. 9 on Gene Menez's SI.com's Heisman List.

? It has been up for a couple days now, but we didn't have a chance to post it.  Here is the ESPN The Mag video feature that accomplanied the recent story on George Selvie.

? Greg Auman writes, "Three days before No. 10 USF takes on Pittsburgh, two starting defensive linemen remained in limbo with ankle injuries, as DT Terrell McClain returned to practice Monday and All-America DE George Selvie worked in a limited capacity."

? Tom Zebold of the Ledger writes, "South Florida fans will get an early treat this week because they won't have to wait until the usual Saturday to see the Bulls in action."

? Auman talks with Bulls Linebacker Brouce Mompremier,"Mompremier has shown encouraging progress, and though he won't play Thursday against Pittsburgh, he hopes to practice next week, with an eye on playing at home Oct. 18 against Syracuse.

?Brett McMurphy writes,"University of South Florida linebacker Brouce Mompremier said he remembers everything about his frightening collision with teammate Carlton Williams."

? McMurphy's Notebook

? CBSSportsLine.com Previews this Thursdays Match-Up

What They Are Saying In Pittsburgh
? Kevin Gorman of The Pittsburgh Tribune Review writes,"If there was a date circled on Pitt's schedule at season's start, it was without question the Oct. 2 game at South Florida. What has transpired since has only raised the stakes for both the Panthers and the Bulls."

? Paul Zeise of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette writes,"Although the players know this a very big game and aren't afraid to say it, Wannstedt has tried to downplay the magnitude of the game. He said the Panthers are going to treat it like any other game."

? Dale Gridnic of PanthersDigest.com writes,"South Florida likely is the most-talented team Pitt will play this season. The Bulls clearly are the class team in the Big East thus far, but fifth-year senior middle linebacker Scott McKillop believed that the Panthers are a much different team than."

GoUSFBulls.com Daily News Wire

September 29

The NFL & Bowl Representatives Will Be There Thursday, Will You?
Chris Fowler, Erin Andrews, Jesse Palmer and the ESPN national television audience will bring plenty of buzz to Raymond James Stadium for the showdown between No. 10 USF and Pitt on Thursday night.

If you need more proof of the hype surrounding the game, take a look at the number of NFL teams and college football bowls that will be in attendance on Thursday night. 

As of Monday afternoon, 13 NFL teams were sending scouts to watch the talent on the USF and Pitt rosters. 

There will be nearly as many bowl representatives in town scouting the Bulls for postseason action.  Representatives from 11 major bowls, including the Fed Ex Orange Bowl, Allstate Sugar Bowl, Rose Bowl presented by AT&T and the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl will be in town Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

Tickets still remain for the BIG East Conference opener for USF.  Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com or proceed to the Single Game Ticket Zone on GoUSFBulls.com.


Important Parking Information For Lot 3
In response to numerous communications regarding gaining access to Lot 3 prior to the Kansas game, USF Athletics and TSA are recommending following routes to access Lot 3.

From the North:
Although you may be able to access Lot 3 by heading south on Dale Mabry Highway and turning left at MLK, access from that route may be closed off by police if traffic becomes too much of an issue.  You can however access Lot 3 by heading south on Himes and entering through Lot 4 access points.  We recommend taking Hillsborough Ave. to access South Himes Ave. to avoid other stadium traffic.

Daily Links
? Bulls Live is set for Monday, Sept. 29, at 12:30 p.m. as USF gears up for its BIG EAST opener Thursday night at home vs. Pittsburgh. Jim Leavitt will have his weekly press luncheon and select players will be available for a live chat.

? GoUSFBulls.com USF-NC State photo gallery and Game Highlights in GameDay Central. 

? Tampa Tribune writer Brett McMurphy's Blog. 

? Greg Auman of the St. Petersburgh Times writes," It wasn't critical comments from N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien that got the USF defense fired up for Saturday's game. It was the response defensive coordinator Wally Burnham made."

? ESPN.com Blogger Brian Bennett's Week 5 Rewind /Week 6 Preview.

? Paul Zeise of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes, "Grothe is elusive, the unquestioned leader of the Bulls, and he is hard to bring down. McKillop said that outside of West Virginia's Pat White, there is no other quarterback the Panthers will face who can hurt them in so many ways." 

GoUSFBulls.com News Wire Archive  September 22-28 |September 15-21 | September 8-14 | September 1-7 | August 25-31