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Shovel Was An Inspired Pick

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 11, 2007

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - With the University of South Florida visiting Syracuse on a three-game losing streak and tied for last in the Big East, the Bulls had two choices: dig out of this mess or get buried.

The Bulls started digging Saturday.

USF coach Jim Leavitt presented his team with a shovel Friday night as motivation for the Bulls in their final three games.

"It's just a symbol for our team, telling us that we have to dig," USF senior LB Ben Moffitt said. "We have to dig down deep and through whatever adversity comes our way. We have to keep digging."

NEW OPENER? ESPN has approached USF about moving next year's home game with Kansas from Sept. 13 to Friday, Aug. 29, for television.

To do so, USF would have to move its current scheduled season opener with Division I-AA Tennessee Martin from Aug. 30 to Sept. 13. Kansas also would have to move its Aug. 30 home opener with Florida International to Sept. 13.

NEW LOOK: Freshman RB Mike Ford and senior DE Woody George started as part of USF's lineup changes.

Ford started in place of Ben Williams, while George made his first start this season for Jarriett Buie.

Freshman FB Richard Kelly also was part of USF's goal-line wishbone backfield.

The Bulls also shook up their captains going with four non-starters: QB Anthony Severino, WR Courtney Denson, DT Allen Cray and DE Woody George. It's the first time this season none of the Bulls' captains were starters.

SELVIE CLOSING IN: USF sophomore DE George Selvie had three tackles for loss and a sack. He increased his national leading total in both categories to 30.5 and 14, respectively.

Selvie is two tackles for loss from breaking the NCAA record of 32, set by Western Michigan's Jason Babin.

FLAG DAY: USF set season highs for penalties (16), two shy of the school record, and yards penalized (144).

"The week before against Cincinnati we only had 38 yards and supposedly lost the game," Leavitt said. "You don't want penalties. They frustrate you."

BANGED UP BULLS: The Bulls had several players leave with injuries: LG Ryan Schmidt (right ankle), RT Marc Dile (neck stinger), K Justin Teachey (quad), DT Aaron Harris (left ankle) and QB Greg Gregory (nose).

Also, Williams (left ankle) did not play, but he said would return against Louisville.

ODDS AND ENDS: Freshman RB Aston Samuels, who had 42 yards rushing this season, gained 75 yards on his first carry. "He has some serious speed," Leavitt said. ... The win improved USF to 19-19 the past five years in games played in October or later. By comparison, USF is 14-5 in August and September. ... In the previous two games, USF's running backs had 33 carries for 127 yards. Against Syracuse, they had 39 carries for 249 yards. ... For the third consecutive game, K Delbert Alvarado made two field goals. However, he also had a 46-yard attempt blocked. USF opponents have blocked three field goals this season.

Brett McMurphy

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