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Potent Offense Difficult To Stop

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 12, 2007

TAMPA - In the past 2 1/2 games, there has been a noticeable difference with the University of South Florida's offense.

Perhaps offensive coordinator Greg Gregory is getting more comfortable in his new position. Or perhaps the Bulls are getting more comfortable with Gregory's philosophy.

Whatever the reason, the Bulls have been much more potent. After averaging 389 yards in their first seven games, the Bulls are averaging 501 yards in their past three games - which if maintained the entire season would rank as the nation's seventh-best offense.

USF gained 440 yards at UConn (including 299 yards in the second half), 481 yards against Cincinnati (despite eight turnovers) and a school-record 582 yards at Syracuse (after pulling the starters after three quarters).

"When we don't turn it over, we move the ball," Gregory said. "We've had success moving the ball and everything revolves around if we don't turn over the ball. We still need to score more points, but as long as we don't turn it over, we give ourselves a chance to score.

"We've shown the ability to move the ball."

Against Syracuse the Bulls rolled up 346 yards rushing.

"We were able to pound the ball and take some pressure off QB Matt Grothe," Gregory said. "But we're not going to stop running him because he's too good of a runner."

WHAT WENT RIGHT: RBs Mike Ford (134 yards) and Aston Samuels (101 yards) became the fourth set of USF teammates to rush for 100 yards in a game. ... USF's 41 points was its third-highest against a Big East team.

Defensively, the Bulls limited Syracuse to 15 yards rushing, the fewest amount allowed by USF against a Division I-A opponent.

WHAT WENT WRONG: Once again, USF's special teams were schizophrenic. K Delbert Alvarado made two field goals, but had one blocked; Jerome Murphy fair caught a punt at the 5 - and then tried to run with it; and Allen Cray was penalized for roughing the punter on a third-down quick kick. The roughing-the-punter call was one of USF's season-high 16 penalties for 144 yards.

UP AHEAD: In the final home game for USF's seniors, the Bulls host Louisville (5-5, 2-3) Saturday at 8 p.m. (ESPNU).

THEY SAID IT: "I got caught in the moment and I slowed down." - Samuels, who was caught from behind at the end of his 75-yard run at the 2-yard line.

Brett McMurphy

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