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Tough Road Game Is Nothing New

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 18, 2007

Ryan Benjamin was on the University of South Florida's inaugural team in 1997 and started four years at long snapper. Benjamin played in the NFL with Chicago (2001) and the Bucs (2002-03). Benjamin, 29, is vice president of operations for Air Xpress, an air-conditioning company in New Port Richey. He talked about the Bulls.

The No. 2 ranking is outstanding, but honestly I'm not as shocked as a lot of people are. The program has always been about greatness from Day 1. I know what they expect out of the program. It's not all that shocking, I knew it was just a matter of time. I knew it would happen in a hurry.

The program has come a long way since 1997. I remember that first game against Kentucky Wesleyan. It was the most nervous I've ever been. I was more nervous for that game than I was playing in the Super Bowl. It was uncharted territory, a game that will be remembered forever.

The success of the team now is great. I look forward to the games, and my two little boys Aidan, 4; Noah, 2 run around the house screaming 'Go Bulls.' To be in the position they are in now is great.

It's funny now when you go into all the stores and see all the Bulls gear and everyone wearing Bulls horns. Now you can actually buy it, and it's actually in the front of the store. Some people complain about the bandwagoners, but I say bring it on. The more fans the better.

With the No. 2 ranking, I don't think Coach Jim Leavitt is bringing it up to the players, except to say 'don't get caught up in it; don't worry about things you can't control.' It's a good philosophy to play by and live by.

Listening to some of Coach Leavitt's interviews, he doesn't seem like he's changed much. After the West Virginia win, he said he was going to go back and look at film, and the commentators were shocked he wasn't going to enjoy it.

After games, I remember driving back to campus at 3:30-4 a.m. and you could drive by the trailers and see the glow of the TV from his office. He was already studying film for next week.

As far as other people are concerned, South Florida is just coming on the radar. But right now we're undefeated and the No. 2 team in the country whether they want to believe it or not. I don't get frustrated with the haters; it's just fuel and good chalkboard material.

They'll definitely win at Rutgers. I think they'll win by a couple of TDs. Going into someone's house and taking them down isn't new for this team. They'll be focused and take care of business.

Brett McMurphy

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