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Sun Bowl Capsule

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 31, 2007

NO. 23 SOUTH FLORIDA (9-3, 4-3 BIG EAST) VS. OREGON (8-4, 5-4 PAC-10)

KICKOFF: 2 p.m., Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas TV/RADIO: WTSP, Ch. 10/WFLA, 970 AM THE LINE: USF by 6

KEEP AN EYE ON

USF - In what should be an emotional day for USF's senior defensive leaders, MLB Ben Moffitt (42 career starts) and CBs Trae Williams (44 starts) and Mike Jenkins (39 starts) close out their stellar careers against an injury-plagued Oregon offense.

Oregon - With its top three QBs out with injuries, the Ducks will go with freshmen Justin Roper and Cody Kempt, who are a combined 21 of 57 for 214 yards, with four interceptions and two TDs. That drooling noise you hear all the way back in Tampa is Bulls DE George Selvie.

KEY STAT

USF - The Bulls have scored at least 40 points in their past three games. Only the 2001 team - five consecutive games of 40 points or more - had a longer stretch, but that included three Division I-AA opponents.

Oregon - Since winning the 2002 Fiesta Bowl, the Ducks have lost four consecutive bowl games. If the Ducks lose today, this year's senior class will be Oregon's first since 1996 that never won a bowl game.

INJURY UPDATE

USF - WR Colby Erskin (knee) is out.

Oregon - QBs Dennis Dixon (knee), Brady Leaf (ankle) and Nathan Costa (knee), WRs Brian Baysinger (knee) and Cameron Colvin (ankle), MLB John Bacon (knee) and RB Jeremiah Johnson (knee) are out.

AT STAKE

USF - A victory gives the Bulls a school-record 10 victories and guarantees their first postseason national ranking in school history.

Oregon - Entering on a three-game losing streak, the Ducks hope to avoid last season's swoon when they also dropped their final three regular-season games, then lost to BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl.

KEY MATCHUPS

When USF has the ball - In USF's last three games, RB Mike Ford gained 338 yards - he had only 299 in USF's first nine games - with six TDs, while averaging 4.97 yards per carry. Ford should continue his late-season surge. If the Ducks, with their Pac-10's fourth-worst defense, stack the line of scrimmage, QB Matt Grothe and WRs Taurus Johnson, Carlton Mitchell, Jessie Hester Jr. and Amarri Jackson should have a field day.

When Oregon has the ball - RB Jonathan Stewart led the Pac-10 in rushing, averaging 122.4 yards per game. With the loss of Dixon, Stewart will have to carry the Ducks offense behind what Coach Mike Bellotti calls Oregon's best offensive line in school history. Stewart is expected to announce after the game whether he will enter the NFL draft or return for his senior season.

PREDICTION

The Bulls have displayed a quiet confidence all week - and they should after the way they finished the season. For the third time in the past six years, Oregon is in a bowl game despite ending the regular season with three consecutive losses. Each time the Ducks also lost their bowl game and this year will be no different. USF enjoys its day in the Sun and sends a message to the national TV audience that even bigger things are ahead for the Bulls in 2008.

Score: USF 27, Oregon 14

Compiled by Brett McMurphy