Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008 | GoUSFBulls.com Coverage | Photo Gallery | Buy Photos from the Big Win | Postgame Video Interviews
? David Fox of Rivals.com writes, "Before Wednesday, few here in Tampa could spell or even pronounce Maikon Bonani's name. In the final hours of Friday night, Bonani strolled down the sideline, partly shell-shocked, it seemed. He slapped high fives with the fans in the first row. He walked about 10 yards behind quarterback Matt Grothe but received more thunderous applause and more rousing screams than the campus hero ahead of him."

? Andy Staples of SI.com writes, "South Florida kicker Maikon Bonani, all 5-foot-9 and 174 pounds of him, wore the blank stare of the overwhelmed late Friday night as he walked north to south down the sideline at Raymond James Stadium, high-fiving anyone with a hand. The delirious fans, completely unaware the little guy wearing No. 28 had, moments earlier, answered their prayers, returned the high-fives. The only clue that their hero stood in their midst came from the mouth of USF safety Danny Verpaele. He just screamed, "I love Brazil!"

? Joey Goodman of the Miami Herald writes, "Put South Florida quarterback Matt Grothe in the Heisman Trophy conversation. And for at least one night at Raymond James Stadium, South Florida became one of the Sunshine State's big boys."

? Brett McMurphy of the Tampa Tribune writes that USF freshman kicker Maikon Bonani will probably want to forget his first first field goal attempt of the night against Kansas, but will never forget his last.

? The Tampa Tribune's Martin Fennelly wants to make sure that you're aware that USF's Maikon Bonani is not the special at your favorite restaurant, but he is a hero.

? Brett McMurphy's USF-Kansas notebook.

? Unbelievable is the only way that Maikon Bonani can explain his game-winning kick into words in Greg Auman's St. Petersburg Times story. 

? Gary Shelton of the St. Petersburg Times say's that the Bulls' defense grew up considerably between the first and second halves on Friday against Kansas.

? Greg Auman's USF-Kansas notebook.

? Alan Dell of the Sarasota Herald Tribune writes,"Maikon Bonani, a true freshman playing in his first college football game, booted his way into USF history when he kicked a 43- yard field goal with no time left on the clock to give the Bulls a wild 37-34 victory over 13th-ranked Kansas on Friday night at Raymond James Stadium before 58,755 delirious fans."

? Joe Reinzi, correspondent for the St. Petersburg Times, writes that USF quarterback Matt Grothe came through in the clutch.

? More on Friday nights USF-Kansas game from Alan Dell of the Sarasota Herald Tribune.

? David Dorsey of the Ft. Myers News-Press say's that when USF and Kansas kicked off it's hightly anticipated game on Friday night, that both team's mirrored each other. However, in the end, it was USF that put the Jayhawks in the rear-view mirror."

? USF-Kansas photo gallery from the Ft. Myers News-Press.

? Brady McCollough of the Kansas City Star defines what the life of a gunslinger was like in Friday's USF-Kansas game. 

? The Kansas City Star's game report.

? Jason Whitlock of the Kansas City Star writes that the Jayhawks had their moments on Friday night. 

? Andy Staples of SI.com writes that he "Mighty Bull rises to the occasion." 

? ESPN.com blogger Brian Bennett writes USF's change in kicker pays off.

? ESPN.com blogger Brian Bennett writes about persistence pays off for the Bulls' defensive end George Selvie. 

? Bennett also writes about the Bulls's defense coming of age.

? Ryan Boyd of the Bradenton Herald writes," This season is about establishing that they can be major players on the national stage for years to come."

? The Ledger's Tom Zebold writes,"Sure every kicker dreams of the chance to thrive in a moment like this, but South Florida's Maikon Bonani got to live it after Friday night."

? Chas Rich of FanHouse.com writes that with the win, USF salvaged some BIG EAST pride.

? Tom Keegan of the Lawernce Journal World writes that Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing was not the problem for the Jayhawks.

Friday, Sept. 12, 2008
? The USF Athletics Ticket Office has made more tickets available for the Kansas game this Friday night at 8 Eastern.  They have opened up tickets on the west side upper deck of Raymond James Stadium at $10 and $35, including seats on or near 50-yard line. Tickets on the east side upper deck are still available for $25 and $30.  The fastest way to reserve your tickets is online at GoUSFBulls.com or Ticketmaster.com.  You can also visit the USF Box Office and purchase them in person.

The USF Ticket Office will close its on campus location at Noon Eastern on Friday and move down to Raymond James Stadium. The Box Offices at Raymond James Stadium will open at 1 p.m.

? Make sure you Go Green for this Friday's Kansas game.

? Check out this week's Jim Leavitt Show.

? Jeff Berlinicke of The Fort Myer's News Press writes,"Is this the week when Moise Plancher makes his mark in prime time? The Barron Collier High School graduate has gone from redshirt to starter to practically off the depth chart to a vital cog in the South Florida running game. The junior tailback has had some bad breaks during his career at USF, but he may be getting a fresh start after the top two players on the running back depth chart - sophomore Mike Ford and senior Benjamin Williams - were limited by ankle injuries in last week's overtime win against Central Florida."

? One randomly selected fan will have the opportunity to kick a field goal for $50,000 during the Rutgers game on Nov. 15th. The "Cardiac Kick" and is presented by Tampa General Hospital's new Cardio Vascular Center. Click here to register.

? Arthur Staple of Newsday writes tonight's game is one of the best games of the early season. "2. Kansas (2-0) at South Florida (2-0), tonight, 8 p.m., ESPN: South Florida carries the flag for Big East legitimacy in this non-conference matchup in Tampa. The Bulls barely squeaked by Central Florida in overtime on Saturday. USF needs to slow down Kansas QB Todd Reesing (six TDs in the first two games)."

? Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel writes that the Bulls are back on the Big Stage. "Tonight, the 19th-ranked Bulls will have their chance for redemption when they host the 13th-ranked Kansas Jayhawks before an expected crowd of at least 53,000 fans at Raymond James Stadium."

? Brett McMurphy writes,"University of South Florida's Matt Grothe and Kansas' Todd Reesing have different jersey numbers and very different hobbies. Grothe prefers hunting and fishing, while Reesing enjoys tennis, dancing and music."

? The Tampa Tribune's Martin Fennelly talk's about the Bulls Big Test.

? The International Herald Tribune previews tonight's game. "The similarities between No. 13 Kansas and No. 19 South Florida don't end with the Jayhawks and Bulls both having mobile quarterbacks who run, throw and ? most of all ? win."

? The New York Times features of Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing. "Last year as a sophomore quarterback, Reesing saw the football field well enough to throw for 3,486 yards and 33 touchdowns and lead the Jayhawks to a 12-1 season and a victory in the Orange Bowl over Virginia Tech. When he faces South Florida on Friday in a battle of undefeated and ranked teams, Reesing will do so as the nation's top-rated passer, completing 76.7 percent of his passes and throwing for six touchdowns."

? The Tampa Tribune's game preview.

? Rick Dean of The Topeka Capital-Journal writes,"But as an appetizer to The Big One, the clash of Kansas and South Florida ? the 13th- and 19th-ranked teams, respectively ? is as big a marquee matchup as you'll find in the nation."  

? The Herald Tribunes writes,"USF comes into its matchup against Kansas with the top rated defense in the country, allowing only 161.5 yards per game. The defensive unit went seven quarters before surrendering its first two TDs of the season last week"

? The Ledger's Tom Zebold writes, "The prepared Bulls, however, might be able to make things a little tougher for the visiting team. They know how Kansas operates and why it succeeds."

? J. Brady McCollough of the The Wichita Star writes about matchup between Kansas tackle Jeff Spikes and USF's George Selvie."It is Spikes, after all, who will be dueling South Florida defensive end George Selvie, a consensus All-American last season, for four quarters. On paper, this bout looks like an undercard. Spikes has played in two games; Selvie had 14 ? sacks and 31 ? tackles for a loss last season."

? Bruce Feldman of ESPN.com about tonight's home field advantage will be huge for USF. "KU has surrendered only 10 points in two games, but Matt Grothe and the USF attack are a big step up from the Jayhawks' first two opponents, Florida International and Louisiana Tech. Then again, KU's Todd Reesing is more of a threat than the UCF bunch that took the Bulls to OT this past Saturday. Expect USF's speed on the edges of its D to force some mistakes and be the difference. That, and a spirited home-field edge."

? Greg Auman writes about the attention George Selvie has garnered on and off the field. "After leading the nation in tackles for loss last season, after destroying a school record for sacks, George Selvie did the awards show circuit, wore his tux to ceremonies in Orlando, Ohio, North Carolina and Connecticut, even earned a trip to Arizona for the Playboy All-America team photo shoot. But the Bulls' first-ever consensus All-American didn't fully appreciate all of the attention lavished on him until the first two games this season. Opposing offenses have honored the junior defensive end with nonstop star treatment: double-teams, triple-teams and a steady parade of tight ends and backs keeping him from quarterbacks, who often roll away from his side."

? Ryan Boyd of the Bradenton Herald features Bulls defensive end George Selvie. "On the flip side, with Selvie, a Playboy All-American, garnering so much attention, it presents opportunities for other players to make plays along South Florida's defensive line. Despite having a zero in the sack column, Selvie is still playing at high level."

? DeadSpin.com highlights tonights game as one of the top three games of the weekend.

? The Kansas City Star game preview.

?  Steve Wieberg of the USA Today previews tonight's match-up."The game's in Tampa, more than 1,000 miles away. The opponent is ranked. The test is true."

? ESPN.com blogger Brian Bennett's writes the importance of tonight's game. "Seventeen years ago, Jim Leavitt and Mark Mangino were on-the-make assistants at Kansas State, trying to help turn one of the nation's most miserable major programs into something worthwhile. Learning at the feet of demanding taskmaster Bill Snyder, they hardly had time to dream of hitting the big time as future head coaches."

? Tim Griffin of ESPN.com writes a piece on Kansas' Todd Reesing.

? Blair Kerkhoff of The Kansas City Star writes, " The program that Bill Snyder inherited was carrying a 27-game winless streak, which reached 30 in his first season. So when assistant coach Jim Leavitt came aboard in 1990 and Mark Mangino a year later, it would have taken a vivid imagination for them to see themselves as head coaches at two of the nation's nouveau riche programs."

? Dugan Arnett of The Lawerence Journal-World writes about the similarity's of Matt Grothe and Todd Reesing. "Despite having seen only limited game footage of South Florida as of Tuesday afternoon, members of the Kansas University secondary unit already had seen something eerily familiar while watching Bulls quarterback Matt Grothe pick apart opposing defenses."

Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008
? ESPN.com blogger Brian Bennett's features quarterback Matt Grothe. "South Florida tight end Cedric Hill searched for the right words to describe the way his friend and teammate, Matt Grothe, plays football. He stumbled upon the perfect phrase.""What he does on the field ..." Hill said, pausing. "Matt does Matt.""

? Get to know the Bulls as each and every week GoUSFBulls.com personality Garrett Walvoord sits down with members of the USF Football team for exclusive, one-on-one video interviews. 
 
? Jeff Berlinicke of Florida Today writes of Taursus Johnson's big game against UCF."Taurus Johnson was waiting for his breakout game."

? Brett McMurphy's Daily Notes.

? Jeremy Fowler of the Orlando Sentinel writes about Quarterback Matt Grothe expereice from last weekend.

? Dugan Arnett of The Lawerence Journal-World writes a feature on defensive end George Selvie. "Since Jeff Spikes, Kansas University's red-shirt freshman offensive lineman, is currently preparing for the biggest challenge of his collegiate career, now would probably not be the best time to bring to his attention the following pieces of information about South Florida defensive end George Selvie, the man he will be charged with blocking come Friday:"

? KUSports.com's Cram Session

? Seattlepi.com previews Friday's game.

? RealFootball365.com writes that it is creditibity check for the BIG EAST.

? Greg Auman writes, "Wednesday's practice brought two significant changes for USF, as coach Jim Leavitt said freshman Maikon Bonani will handle field goals, replacing junior Delbert Alvarado, and starting RG Zach Hermann (broken foot) is expected to miss at least a month."

? Auman talks with Buc's cornerback and former Kansas standout Aqib Talib and his Jayhawks. "Former Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib, now a rookie with the Bucs, said Wednesday he'll be at Friday's USF-Kansas game. "I'm excited for Friday night. I'll definitely be there," said Talib, who made his NFL debut in Sunday's loss to New Orleans. "I talked to a couple guys, talked to Coach (Mark) Mangino. I think we're going to be ready.""

? Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel writes of the UCF game officials.

? ESPN.com blogger Brian Bennett's daily notes.

Wednesday, Sept, 10, 2008

? Check out Bay News 9's feature story on USF and the heat illness prevention pill. 

?  Greg Auman features a story on junior Theo Wilson and his path traveled to USF. "The punt was partially blocked, but Wilson sped toward the ball as it bounced twice, passing opposing players and landing perfectly into his arms. He sped down the middle of the field untouched for a 67-yard touchdown, raising a finger in celebration for the last few strides, his dreadlocks bouncing with each high step in a return amazing in so many ways that a scoreboard could never explain."

? Brett McMurphy's writes in his daily notebook.

? Kansas Press Conference Quotes

? Alan Dell of the Sarasota Herald Tribune writes, "But the junior (George Selvie) is playing better, according to his coaches and teammates. The numbers are deceiving and don't tell the whole story."

? Dell also weighs in on the UCF series ending.

? Greg Auman writes, "With more than 50,000 tickets distributed for Friday's game against Kansas, USF announced Tuesday that it has opened the west side of the upper deck at Raymond James Stadium."

? Joe Rienzi corresponding for the St. Petersburg Times writes, "USF began preparing for Friday's home game against No. 13 Kansas, with offensive coordinator Greg Gregory saying the Bulls have a lot of work to do in order to beat "a very good football team'' that averages more than 35 points."

? Joey Johnston of The Tampa Tribune writes about the excitement surrounding football in Tampa."In 1997, USF began its football program at the Division I-AA level, pledging that it would grow as fast as its fans and resources would allow. Leavitt said the Bulls could compete by simply attracting the top players within a 50-mile radius of campus. Imagine that - national-level recruiting on one tank of gas."

? The Tampa Tribune writes, "If last weekend's football game between the universities of South Florida and Central Florida marked the end of the four-year-old series, as USF has said, what a tremendous way to go out.

? Ryan Boyd of the Bradenton Herald highlights senior tight end Cedric Hill. "Saturday was a long wait for Cedric Hill. In his four seasons as the South Florida Bulls tight end, the senior had his best-offensive performance catching four balls for 62 yards and two touchdowns."

? Dugan Arnett of The Lawerence Journal-World writes a feature on Kansas running back Angus Quigley. "Until this season, the only thing that called attention to Kansas University running back Angus Quigley was his unusual first name."

Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008
Buy Tickets Now | Shop at Ticket Master.com | Visit the USF Box Office

? The USF Athletics Ticket Office has made more tickets available for the Kansas game this Friday night at 8 Eastern.  They have opened up tickets on the west side upper deck of Raymond James Stadium at $10 and $35, including seats on or near 50-yard line. Tickets on the east side upper deck are still available for $25 and $30.  The fastest way to reserve your tickets is online at GoUSFBulls.com or Ticketmaster.com.  You can also visit the USF Box Office and purchase them in person.

The USF Ticket Office will close its on campus location at Noon Eastern on Friday and move down to Raymond James Stadium. The Box Offices at Raymond James Stadium will open at 1 p.m.

? ESPN.com blogger Brian Bennett writes about running back Mo Plancher, "South Florida running back Moise Plancher thought he had experienced some bad luck in his football career. Then he found out what true suffering was like."

? Tom Zebold of The Ledger writes,"Quarterback Matt Grothe has had a lot on his plate since he started playing football for South Florida three years ago."

? Make sure you Go Green for this Friday's Kansas game.

? Greg Auman writes, "USF quarterback Matt Grothe was able to joke after Saturday's game about UCF fans finding his cell phone number, getting it on national TV and bombarding him with calls, voice mail and text messages. But the antics went too far when someone made a threatening call Thursday to the cell phone of his father, Matt Grothe Sr."

? Auman's Blog.

? Brett McMurphy's writes in his daily notebook, "Leavitt thought the fourth down mark also was wrong - but in UCF's favor."

? Joey Johnston of The Tampa Tribune writes, "The University of South Florida's 12th-year football program is seeking its fourth straight appearance in a bowl game. The Kansas Jayhawks haven't made bowl trips in consecutive seasons - ever."

? Ryan Bass of the Central Florida Future writes, "To say it's been an emotional couple of months for USF running back Moise Plancher is an understatement."

? Taylor Burn of The University Daily Kansan compares the rise of both programs. "Few people in the press box, in the stands or on the field had any idea what kind of transformation was blossoming in Lawrence that night."

? Kansas City infoZine previews the upcoming battle of ranked teams. "

? Dugan Arnett of The Lawerence Journal-World writes that Kansas coach Mark Mangino is tempering the build up leading to the USF game. "“I think this is a good measuring stick, to some degree,” Mangino said. “But I don't think it's a game where, if we win, we feel like we're going to win all the rest, and if we lose, we're going to have a bad season.”"

? Jesse Newell of The Lawerence Journal-World features Kansas running back Angus Quigley.

? The Bulls check in at 18 in the latest ESPN.com Power Ranking.

? ESPN.com blogger Brian Bennett releases his weekly BIG EAST Power Rankings and the Bulls are at the Top.



Monday, Sept. 8, 2008

? Check out Gameday Central for game highlights, post-game interviews and exclusive player interviews each day leading up to the game this Friday.

? Brett McMurphy's writes in his daily notebook.

? Alan Dell of the Sarasota Herald Tribune writes "University of South Florida head football coach Jim Leavitt didn't sound like a winner after his Bulls' 31-24 victory over Central Florida."

? Greg Auman writes about the concerns surrounding the Bulls special teams. ""We have to do something with our kickoff team. I am incredibly disappointed with that," Leavitt said. "I am terribly disappointed with our punt team and punt coverage. I am very disappointed in our field-goal team and yes, I have to look at different things there.

? USF is mentioned in a Tampa Tribune article about the Buccaneers' ticket prices.

? John Denton of Florida Today dicusses the lack of recruiting impact of the USF-USF game.

? ESPN.com blogger Brian Bennett highlights the UCF game as the Best Game in the BIG EAST from this past weekend and quarterback Matt Grothe.