BullsVision Press Conference: Jim Leavitt
BullsVision: Press Conference: Joe Tresey
BullsVision: Press Conference: Mike Canales
BullsVision: Press Conference: B.J. Daniels


TAMPA - Junior linebacker Sabbath Joseph is a Miami native and was good friends with UConn defensive back Jasper Howard, who died after being stabbed on the Storrs campus late Saturday night.

Joseph actually talked to Howard on Facebook Friday and was shook up by the news on Monday after practice.

BullsVision sat down with Joseph, who remembered a good friend and great person.

BullsVision: Joseph Talks About Jasper Howard

Pierre-Paul for Defensive Player of the Year
The spotlight continues to find junior defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who was named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the midyear by ESPN.com.

That award had been bestowed upon George Selvie during previous editions of the award by writer Brian Bennett.  That changed this morning, when Bennett wrote:

"There is no clear-cut leader for this award, but there are a plethora of candidates, including UConn's Lindsey Witten and Lawrence Wilson, Cincinnati's Aaron Webster, Syracuse's Derrell Smith, Pitt's Greg Romeus and Mick Williams and South Florida's George Selvie and Nate Allen. I pick Pierre-Paul because, even though he's only been fully involved in about four games, he's been the most disruptive defensive force I've seen this year. He already has 8.5 tackles for loss despite getting a late start, and he's been nearly unblockable at times. The scary part is, he should only get better. "

Pierre-Paul, who has become a regular with the media each week, told the contigent today that the nickname Haitian Sensation, which was used regularly by Chris Fowler during the ESPN game, was not a new one.  He said that his boys back home have been calling him that for years.

You can watch all of Pierre-Paul's interview at the link below:

BullsVision Exclusives: Jason Pierre-Paul | More From Sabbath Joseph | Jessie Hester | Photo Gallery


A Tough Rerun
USF quarterback B.J. Daniels said he chose to watch the entire Cincinnati game four times in the span of three days last weekend.  He watched it three times on scout film and took in one viewing of the full ESPN broadcast.

"I was up here (football office) Friday, Saturday and Sunday watching that game," said Daniels.

Offensive coordinator Mike Canales said the best thing for Daniels and the entire team is to, "put it behind us.  B.J. was up here Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  He's aware of what the offense did wrong and areas we all need to improve."


A Family Undivided
USF special teams coach John Hendrick was a two-time All BIG EAST selection and currently has a daughter, Amber, that is a student at the university.

"She will be in the USF section, wearing USF gear and cheering for her father's team," said Hendrick.

Asked who she cheers for when USF and Pitt are not playing each other?

 "She stays true to her family," said Hendrick with a wry smile.


Weather Update
Anytime the Bulls travel north in BIG EAST Conference action the weather is a major storyline.   The current forecast shows a high of 58 with 40 percent chance of showers.    USF is is 2-3 all-time when playing in temperatures below 50 degrees and right now it looks like that ledger won't change on Saturday.


Press Conference Transcript
Here is but a snippet of what the coaches and Daniels had to say Tuesday:

Jim Leavitt Opening Statement
"I thought we came out ready to play against Cincinnati and I thought our emotional level was good. We had a great crowd and it was one of the largest crowds in school history. I thought we played pretty well in the first half. We didn't play as well in the second half as I would of liked and we didn't adjust well to their backup quarterback. We had opportunities and I thought BJ's effort was unmatched. He played really hard against Cincinnati. You except a quarterback to perfect all the time and that is very difficult. What I appreciate so much, though, is that the whole team played hard. We have a great group of guys and this means a lot to them. We are a very young team and we learn more and more as we go."

On Pittsburgh
"Pittsburgh is a very good team. They are every bit as good as what we saw with Cincinnati. They are very good running team, but they can throw it too. They have some big receivers and their quarterback is having a tremendous year. Their offensive line is very big and very strong. Their linebackers are good and I think the secondary is outstanding. They are just very good football players. Our guys practiced well last night and I expect that they will practice well today. I am just anxious to get out there and practice right now."

On Nate Allen
"He is a tremendous player and a tremendous person. I am very impressed with Nate. I am impressed with the way he handles his life, how he plays on the field, his work ethic and his demeanor. He is a special player."

Mike Canales
On what he's been telling BJ to shake off last week's performance
"Play the next play. The game is over with and you can learn from it. We both watched film together on Friday and we critiqued each play. I think he has learned from this and it eventually is going to happen for a young freshman to come out and miss some things. He did some good things as well, though, and we are going to build on the positives and correct the negatives. We have this behind us and it's over with. We are smiling and we know we still have a shot in the BIG EAST. The last couple years it has come down to the last week of the season to who was going to be the BIG EAST Champions. We are not out of this by any means and I think our kids believe that. The kids are going to continue to play and they know we have to go up and have a tough game against Pitt."

B.J. Daniels
On Pittsburgh
"Pittsburgh is a very good team. They are big and they are physical. They are really competitive and we are going to be in for a fight this weekend."

On what it meant to give Jessie Hester a touchdown after everything he has been through
"Well it was a big confidence boost for him as well as our offense. He has been working at getting healthy again for a long time so for him to get a touchdown on the first drive was really big."

On his performance against Cincinnati
"After watching film there were a lot of things I felt like I could do different and there is always room for improvement."

On if he senses the defense getting a little frustrated when he is running around
"Yeah they do get frustrated and they definitely come at me a little harder next time. That is not something I am really worried about though. I am just focusing on the things I need to do to get better and to help lead the offense down the field."

Joe Tresey
On if this is the kind of week where he can really judge how well the team can bounce back
"I don't think there is any question. That is a coaching cliché if you analyze it. Any coach in America is going to want to see how their kids bounce back after a loss. It is hard to regroup after a game like that but you have to move on. We are still very much in the race and this is going to be a very interesting season in the BIG EAST Conference."