USF Athletics

By TOM ZEBOLD

USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, APRIL 2, 2014 – The White Team won USF’s annual spring game at Corbett Stadium, but the older Bulls in green stole the show at halftime on Saturday afternoon.

USF stars of the past assembled for the Alumni Flag Football Game that featured big plays, lots of laughs and seven touchdown passes from Matt Grothe, who served as the all-time quarterback.

“It was a lot of fun, I’m tired,” Grothe said with a smile after the Green Team pulled out a 35-21 victory.

Grothe declared Louis Gachette the game’s MVP after the former defensive back hauled in two touchdown catches with his second going for 35 yards to put the Green Team ahead, 28-21, late in the game.

“It was nothing short of excellent,” joked Gachette, who played in 49 games as a strong safety and nickel corner for USF from 2005-08. “Honestly I kind of trained a little bit for this, too.”

Most of the Bulls competing in the flag football game have remained in great shape over the years and it was a good thing Jason Malouf has stayed fit to absorb impact on the game’s first play. Malouf caught a pass over the middle and was immediately tackled by the White Team’s Matt Aycox, who played defensive end for the Bulls from 2006-07.

No flag was thrown.

“I got drilled,” said Malouf, who played linebacker for the Bulls from 1997-98. “Honestly I was not expecting it and it reminded me of about 15 years ago when I was out here. Fortunately Johnnie Jones caught me and didn’t let me hit the ground, so I appreciate that.”

Malouf got the last laugh by returning an interception 102 yards for a touchdown to seal the victory for the Green Team while most of the White Team stopped chasing him after about 20 yards.

“They can’t keep me off the field. I’m done with no eligibility left,” Malouf said with a laugh.

Many other former Bulls were in attendance for the special day on campus and Malouf said the alumni experience keeps growing with time.

“Last year we had a pretty good turnout for this event and this year I think we quadrupled the turnout,” he said. “It’s phenomenal what Willie (Taggart) and the staff are doing. It’s first class they would even bring us back for this and we appreciate it.”

Check out the rosters for the alumni flag football game below. Note: Bulls who currently play in the NFL did not participate: