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Fewer Turnovers Will Determine Winner

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 13, 2007

TAMPA - TAMPA - Although Saturday's University of South Florida-Louisville contest will feature two of the Big East's top quarterbacks, the winner likely will be determined not by Matt Grothe or Brian Brohm, but by which team commits fewer turnovers.

In USF's wins, the Bulls have committed 13 turnovers compared to 23 for their opponents. In USF's losses, the Bulls committed 11 turnovers and their opponents six. Louisville only committed three turnovers in its wins, its opponents 14. In the Cards' losses, they committed 13 and their opponents eight.

"Turnovers is the No. 1 stat, that's what you pay attention to," USF coach Jim Leavitt said. "Turnovers is the most important stat there is of all of them."

SENIORS SWAN SONG: Saturday will be the final home game for 15 USF seniors — C Nick Capogna, RT Jared Carnes, NT Richard Clebert, NT Allen Cray, WR Courtney Denson, DE Woody George, CB Ryan Gilliam, WR Amarri Jackson, CB Mike Jenkins, LB Sam Miller, LB Ben Moffitt, NT Julian Riley, QB Anthony Severino, RT Walt Walker and CB Trae Williams.

In their five seasons, USF's seniors have won 33 games and are expected to play in a third consecutive bowl game.

"The best thing about them is their character," Leavitt said. "They're all class acts.

ODDS AND ENDS: LG Matt Huners, who returned two weeks ago from a torn ACL but missed last week, said he will play Saturday. Jackson (knee) and DT Aaron Harris (ankle) are the only Bulls expected not to play. … USF's regular-season finale at Pittsburgh on Nov. 24, will be televised on WFTS, Ch. 28 at noon. … Louisville starting CB Rod Council was suspended by Coach Steve Kragthorpe for a violation of team policy and won't play Saturday. … LB Ben Moffitt, who was among 17 quarterfinalists for the Lott Trophy, given to the nation's top defensive player, did not make the cut for the award's eight semifinalists.

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