USF Bowl Central

oronto, ON - When the University of South Florida play Northern Illinois University in the fourth edition of the International Bowl on January 2nd, 2010 it will mark the first time that Head Coaches Jim Leavitt and Jerry Kill have crossed paths with a victory at stake.  While it may be the first time these two coaches have faced each other in action, Leavitt's Bulls have taken on the Huskies on two other occasions in the past. The Bulls and Huskies split the series with a win a piece.
 
A SOUTH FLORIDA SUCCESS STORY
 
Led by Leavitt, the only Head Coach South Florida has known in the 13 years of the program's existence, the Bulls finished with a record of 7-5 in the Big East Conference this past season. In his 13 seasons with the team Coach Leavitt has guided the Bulls to 94 victories.
 
Success has been a constant at South Florida in recent times as the upcoming International Bowl will mark South Florida's fifth straight post-season appearance. In their four previous bowl appearances Leavitt has guided the Bulls to a record of 2-2 including their most recent post-season win, a 41-14 victory over Memphis in the 2008 Magic Jack St. Petersburg Bowl.
 
Under his watch the Bulls have had 11 players selected in the NFL Draft including cornerback Mike Jenkins, currently of the Dallas Cowboys. Jenkins was the first ever first round selection in school history.  
 
NORTHERN EXPOSURE, ILLINOIS STYLE
 
As a two-time National Coach of the Year, 2009 will mark Kill's second season at the helm of the Huskies. A veteran of 16 years as a Head Coach at the collegiate level including his two at NIU, Kill will be brining his record of 117 victories to Toronto.
 
The upcoming International Bowl will mark Northern Illinois's fifth post-seas0n appearance overall and second under Kill's watchful eye in a bowl game. In their four previous bowl appearances the Huskies have a record of 2-2 including their most recent post-season win, a 34-21 victory over Troy State in the 2004 Silicon Valley Classic.
 
One of Kill's star pupils last year at NIU was linebacker Larry English. The San Diego Chargers took English in the opening round of the most recent NFL Draft, giving the school their first ever first round selection. In previous coaching stop at Southern Illinois he has also coached such players as Pro Bowl linebacker Bart Scott currently of the New York Jets and Super Bowl champion running back Brandon Jacobs of the New York Giants.