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October 1, 2008

Okay, about South Florida. Pitt Panther Prowl exchanged Q&A with The Bull Gator, and vice versa. Good stuff.

Simply awesome — Dave Wannstedt goes Twitter.

Nice piece on LaRod Stephens-Howling.

Head coach Dave Wannstedt awarded Stephens-Howling a game ball after that performance, not just because of his rushing but also for the three special teams tackles he made. He’s playing on punt and kickoff coverage teams for the first time this year. Wannstedt gushingly calls him “the most underrated player in the Big East.”

“I cannot say enough good things about LaRod,” Wannstedt said. “If there’s ever been an example of a team player, a guy willing to do whatever and just wanting the team to win without getting caught up in personal accolades, it’s LaRod.”

Wannstedt toyed with putting McCoy and Stephens-Howling in the backfield together during training camp, but it’s yet to happen in a game. Right now, they offer different looks to a defense and will give South Florida something to think about for Thursday’s night’s game in Tampa.

There are supposed to be 13 NFL scouts at the Pitt-USF game tomorrow. I guess that’s why I find it hard to believe that DE George Selvie will miss this game.

Selvie and McClain were limited at Tuesday’s practice, but their workload increased from Monday, USF coach Jim Leavitt said.

“Well, we definitely wouldn’t go less,” Leavitt said. “We got a game Thursday. We want to definitely do more. So they’re doing more.

“We’ll see on game day if they can play. I’m assuming they’re going to try to play if they can.”

If Selvie is out along with DT Terrell McLain, then you add that to CB Theo Wilson who has a sprained left knee and WLB Brouce Mompremier who is recovering from a scary neck injury. Well, wow. Four starters out. That’s a lot of injuries on the defense. If Pitt can’t get the offense going against a really banged up defense, then either Pitt has some real problems or USF really can coach-up their players. I’m not saying Pitt wins, but they better be able to score.

If you want a good omen, Beano Cook predicts a USF-Penn State BCS Chamipionship game. Can’t believe he left out Notre Dame.

The Tampa Bay Rays play the White Sox at 2:30 the same day. A big sports day in the Tampa-St. Pete area. At least it isn’t in direct conflict.

From a chat with one of the USF beat writers.

Q: Greg, Pitt uses running to control the clock, how does USF plan to stop the run especially McCoy. — Jim

G.A.: A big question this week. USF’s been very consistent in praising not only LeSean McCoy, but also LaRod Stephens-Howling, who had two fourth-quarter touchdowns in their win against Syracuse. Both have been very effective. USF’s first five opponents haven’t really presented a running threat — none have rushed for so much as 100 yards as a team — but that changes this week. Instead of the nickel package USF has made its base defense thus far, the Bulls will be back in a standard 4-3 defense, with defensive end Chris Robinson likely sliding back to strongside linebacker, alongside Tyrone McKenzie and Kion Wilson.The run defense has been stout, but it hasn’t been challenged like it will be Thursday night. Remember, McCoy had a big game last year against the Bulls, but USF scored 48 points — I don’t think the Bulls will be happy if they give up 37 points on Thursday …

Q: Greg, our secondary got burned for some big plays on Sat. Are there any adjustments being made to address this or do you not see it as a problem against such a run-based offense? — Brendan

G.A.: Defensive coordinator Wally Burnham said he was “embarrassed” by his defense giving up five pass plays of 35 yards or more in Saturday’s 41-10 win against N.C. State. All but one came with USF ahead by at least three touchdowns, and three of the five didn’t result in points, but Burnham said it’s something that has to be fixed or it’ll be more costly next time. Defensive backs coach Troy Douglas said it isn’t tackling — he claimed USF’s defensive backs have missed only one tackle in the last two games — but said it’s more about positioning and being in the right place. Pitt quarterback Bill Stull hasn’t had great numbers, with just two touchdowns so far, but it’s an area that will be a focus in practice for certain.

The Bulls, of course, say they are focused on this game as the first step towards winning the Big East — it is their conference opener.

So is it any surprise that Pitt’s defense is putting most of their emphasis on QB Matt Grothe?

“Their quarterback is a special player,” Pitt middle linebacker Scott McKillop said. “They want the ball in his hands. He makes a lot of people look silly. Sometimes, you think, ‘Oh, there’s three people around him. He’s trapped. He’s swarmed.’ And, somehow, he manages to get out.”

Grothe is at his best in big games. He completed 23 of 40 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-24 overtime victory over Central Florida on Sept. 6. The following Friday, he completed 32 of 45 passes for 338 yards and two touchdowns in rallying the Bulls from an 18-point deficit with a 31-point outburst in a 37-34 victory over Kansas.

“Grothe is able to pick you apart if you stay back on him, but once he gets out of the pocket the play’s not over yet,” Pitt weak-side linebacker Shane Murray said. “He’s very good at rolling out, too, and he’ll find guys downfield. He has the ability to see the whole field. So, he can hold the ball and kill a defense with his legs and his arms.

“And that’s what hurts other teams.”

Grothe is completing passes at a 66% clip this season. He’s got 8 TD passes and only 2 INT. 1175 total passing yards. He’s also got 1 rushing TD. Oh, and he’s the leading rusher on the Bulls with 219 yards.

Pitt also hasn’t forgotten how the Bulls humiliated them on 2 fake punts in the same game last year. Given the play of the special teams last week, it has to be a point of emphasis.





That’s actually the first USF Bulls blog I’ve seen. Too bad the guy’s suspect because he roots for two teams, other than that he seemed cool and insightful.

Comment by Jimbo Covert's my Dad 10.02.08 @ 12:57 am

Very excited and nervous about this one. As much as I could see us winning this game I can also envision a blow out. They really need to come out firing on all cylinders and cant afford to get behind an offense that can keep scoring.

Comment by Rex 10.02.08 @ 7:27 am

Looks like Selvie will be playing.

Go PITT!

Comment by Rider R. 10.02.08 @ 8:46 am

Its time for us to win. Where real close at becoming a good football team. I truely beleive the only reason why where not undefeated anymore is because of Cav. He’s too conservative and if we had an offesive corrdinator that attack oppsing defenses we would be 4-0 going into this game, ranked about 15th-13th and ready for a dog fight tonight. Not to say that we can win this game but I hope he puts the offesne in postion in winning the game. This means playing Greg Cross Dorin Dickerson, and Baldwin more, rather than Oderick Turner. On paper we should win this game but becuse of coaching it could be a different story! Either way PITT is my team and my alum, and I will be cheering all out.

LETS GO PITT!

Comment by Lou 10.02.08 @ 12:18 pm

Thanks Jimbo Covert’s my Dad (great name by the way). I agree it does seem suspect that I’m a USF and UF follower, but I have a couple of reasons. I did attend both schools and when I initially wanted to start writing 1) couldn’t find a Bulls blog and 2) couldn’t imagine writing without also talking about the Gators. It’s a weird situation I know, but I’m the only one who’s head will actually explode when the two schools face each other in 2010.

Anyway, glad you enjoyed the article.

Comment by The Bull Gator 10.02.08 @ 12:24 pm

Oh and good luck tonight. I’ll be at the game. It should be a good one. These two teams seems to play each other tough.

Comment by The Bull Gator 10.02.08 @ 12:26 pm

@ Jimbo,

I also had no idea that there were any USF blogs out there. I don’t think it’s suspect for him to cheer on two teams, since he acknowledges that one (UF) is the more favored team, and since there’s no clear conflict of interest in his fanhood.

Plenty of people attend grad school elsewhere and it’s okay to root for the new home teams as long as you can pick one over the other. Now, if he would have claimed both UF and Georgia, or FSU and Miami, then I would be right with you calling bullsh!tt. Similarly, I can’t see how somebody here could claim both Pitt and WVU and not expect to be called out.

HTP!

Comment by johnny 10.02.08 @ 12:27 pm

I’ve been to like 30 colleges (slight exaggeration, but not by much haha), but I just stick with Pitt.

There are certain teams I’ll pull for when they’re playing (I have a soft spot for Tarheels football, but not basketball wierdly enough, because of my time in Chapel Hill), but I’m not gonna go out and start blogging about the Tarheels or wearing their gear or anything.

Maybe it’s just Tampa (I live there BTW). Being such a “new” sports town the people aren’t quite as diehard at times. I’ve seen Yankee fans turn into Rays fans this year. Cowboys fans turn into Bucs fans, then back to Cowboys fans. It’s just not the diehard “This is my one and only team and f-you if you don’t like it!” mentality like it is back up north.

But most Pittsburgher-types I know down here stick with their old home teams around here. The Steelers and Penguins have huuuuge followings in this town, and the Pirates would probably have the same if they’d just win once every 17 years. There even a fair # of Pitt fans/alumni in town.

Comment by Jimbo Covert's my Dad 10.02.08 @ 1:47 pm

BTW, once again, I don’t want it to seem like I’m coming down on Bull Gator too hard, he’s seems like a good guy and a good writer.

I’ve just never been a fan of hedging your bets by having “two favorites” or “other favorite” teams. Just my personal mentality.

Comment by Jimbo Covert's my Dad 10.02.08 @ 1:49 pm

Understand you completely, and as a new transplant to Florida, fans down here are some of the most fair-weather assclowns imaginable. Last year, all the “hardcore” Dolphins fans jumped ship to get on the Tampa bandwagon. This year, I’m sure they will be hopping on the Jags ship any day.

Still, I see a fundamental difference between pro and college sports, since when you are younger, you have little choice in where you live and so probably pick allegiances based on geography. College is different, since you choose where you attend, and have a greater economic and professional interest in the University than with pro teams. Plus there are hundreds of universities and thus less chance of direct conflicts unlike in pro sports where there are typically 32 teams or less and a high probability that they will play each other (often) in games of high consequence.

I actually like the argument that Chuck Klosterman makes in “Sex, Drugs, and Coco Puffs” about why it makes no sense to attach yourself to a pro team. Not saying I agree with it completely, but he always makes a convincing argument. He also touched on it in a recent podcast with Bill Simmons on espn.com if you are interested.

Much respect and HTP.

Comment by johnny 10.02.08 @ 2:48 pm

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