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Gregory: Naked Bootleg Was 'Dumb Call'

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 2, 2007

TAMPA - Greg Gregory, who in his first year as the University of South Florida's offensive coordinator has the Bulls averaging nearly nine points a game more than last season, said his decision in the final minute at Connecticut last week was a "dumb call."

"It was just a dumb call - too much risk for potential reward," Gregory said Thursday.

The Bulls were in a position to score the tying touchdown, but QB Matt Grothe was dropped for an 11-yard loss on a naked bootleg.

"Coach made the call and I stick with him," Grothe said. "If you asked me before the play if it would have worked, I would have said yes. It just didn't work out."

Grothe had carried the ball five times on previous third-and-1 or fourth-and-1 plays this season (four QB sneaks and one in shotgun formation) with the quarterback making a first down each time running straight ahead.

The Bulls (6-2, 1-2 Big East) host Cincinnati (6-2, 1-2) on Saturday, but apparently are having a hard time putting consecutive losses to Rutgers and UConn behind them. Following Thursday's practice, USF coach Jim Leavitt had several Bulls - including NT Richard Clebert, RB Ben Williams, SS Carlton Williams and LB Tyrone McKenzie - address the team.

The 20th-ranked Bulls still might be thinking about their missed opportunities at Rutgers and UConn.

"We left a lot of points on the field," Gregory said.

On Saturday the Bulls might see the return of LG Matt Huners, who has been out since suffering a torn ACL in the spring game. RT Walter Walker (knee) and WRs Amarri Jackson (knee) and Taurus Johnson (knee) remain out, and RB Mike Ford (ribs) is questionable.

Brett McMurphy
Backup QB Will Be Game-Time Decision

TALLAHASSEE - At the end of Thursday's practice, Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said he still wasn't sure whether D'Vontrey Richardson or Christian Ponder would back up QB Drew Weatherford on Saturday at No. 2-ranked Boston College. Neither was offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, who said it will most likely be a game-time decision based on the situation.

Richardson and Ponder are redshirt freshmen and have one snap between them. That came when Richardson, uncertain of what play was called, entered for a snap against Alabama on Sept. 29 and ran the wrong play, resulting in a short loss.

"I know next time, if I ever get a chance to go out there, I'm going to listen very carefully," Richardson said Thursday. "I'm not going to be too hyped up and in a rush to get out there."

Bowden said both backups took plenty of reps this week in practice. He said the Noles worked on certain packages with the more-athletic Richardson, and others with Ponder, a traditional drop-back passer like Weatherford.

Regular reserve QB Xavier Lee is not making the trip to Boston per the conditions of his two-game suspension for skipping an excessive number of classes.

Scott Carter

Mattison Says Pouncey Prepared To Help DL

GAINESVILLE - University of Florida backup C Mike Pouncey's mouth may have unintentionally landed him on the defensive line.

Prior to the switch this week, Pouncey used to tell co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison about his tackle days in high school, but the coach liked to poke fun at the freshman.

"I always laughed at him," Mattison said. "I'd see him walking down the hall and I'd go, 'Too bad, Mike. You're not tough enough to be a defensive lineman.'"

Now, Pouncey will help the Gators' depleted defensive line on Saturday against Vanderbilt by stepping in at nose guard.

Mattison said the former backup center's intelligence and athleticism helped him transition seamlessly to the line, which suffered major blows because of multiple injuries.

Florida coach Urban Meyer said he wasn't sure if the switch will be permanent, but said Pouncey is more than capable of handling himself against Vanderbilt.

"He's got that big ol' rear end that you need in there to stop some runs, so he's going to play," Meyer said.

As for the rest of the line, Clint McMillian and Lawrence Marsh will get the bulk of the playing time at defensive tackle. Justin Trattou and Torrey Davis also will contribute.

VANDY DEFENSE: Hopefully for QB Tim Tebow, Florida's game against Georgia prepared the Gators enough for Vanderbilt's defense.

Georgia sacked Tebow six times last week, and Meyer said Vanderbilt will blitz more than the Bulldogs.

"How Tim handles it is going to be about how the offensive line handles it and how the receivers get open," Meyer said. "But we've worked awful hard at it."

Vanderbilt leads the conference in sacks with 24 for 147 yards.

"Their personnel is SEC-caliber personnel," Meyer said. "Especially their defense. I think their defensive personnel is really good."

Jenna Marina

Decision On Wright's Status Will Come Today

CORAL GABLES - QB Kyle Wright practiced again Thursday, and a decision on whether he will be the starter Saturday against North Carolina State will be made today.

Coach Randy Shannon said Wright is still not moving at 100 percent because of his knee and ankle injuries sustained during the victory against Florida State on Oct. 20.

"He practiced the same amount as Wednesday, but he felt better," Shannon said. "He wasn't as sore as he was. Every day he is a little bit better. Thursday we did some sprint-out stuff with him and boots and getting him on the edges and stuff like that to see how he would respond, and he did, which was good. After that, we just let him rest."

If Wright is not available to play Saturday, junior Kirby Freeman will start and junior walk-on Jorge Fernandez will back up Freeman.

Christopher Stock

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