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By BRETT McMURPHY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 9, 2007

AUBURN, Ala. - University of South Florida quarterback Matt Grothe couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate his 21st birthday.

The USF sophomore hit Jessie Hester on a 14-yard touchdown pass in overtime, lifting the Bulls to a 26-23 overtime victory at No. 17 Auburn. It was the biggest non-conference win in program history and all but guaranteed USF of its first Associated Press ranking today when the AP poll is released.

Ironically, USF's upset came six years to the exact date of the Bulls' first big-time shocker - when they won at Pittsburgh in 2001.

This one wasn't quite as easy.

Despite Auburn (1-1) committing five turnovers, the Bulls (2-0) nearly didn't take advantage. Kicker Delbert Alvarado, whose three field goal misses nearly cost USF the game, hit a 19-yarder with 55 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime.

In the overtime, Auburn's first possession resulted in a Wes Bynum 39-yard field goal, giving Auburn a 23-20 cushion.

On USF's possession, two Grothe runs and a Mike Ford run gave USF fourth-and-inches. USF coach Jim Leavitt went for the first down and Grothe sneaked for 2 yards.

Two plays later, Grothe found Hester for the game-winning pass on a corner route, silencing the majority of the 82,617 fans in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

The win was USF's first in five games against SEC teams and the Bulls' first in nine games before crowds bigger than 55,000. USF also improved to 6-0 all-time in overtime.

Grothe finished 18-for-27 for 184 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 31 yards, including a 1-yard TD.

'Grothe's a warrior,' Auburn defensive end Quentin Groves said.

Ford added 74 yards rushing on 21 carries, including a 2-yard touchdown.

Hester finished with six catches for 64 yards, while Taurus Johnson had four receptions for 57 yards.

'We were lucky to be in it,' Auburn's Tommy Tuberville said. 'But their field goal guy missed some.'

With less than seven minutes remaining, Alvarado missed from 21 yards and the Tigers then drove 51 yards before settling for Bynum's 46-yard field goal.

USF's Jerome Murphy returned the ensuing kickoff 59 yards to USF's 32. Grothe hit Johnson for 18 yards, giving the Bulls first-and-goal at the 9.

The Bulls were unable to score the go-ahead touchdown and settled for a tying 19-yard field goal by Alvarado with 55 seconds remaining.

Trailing 17-14 to start the fourth quarter, USF forced an Auburn punt on the Tigers' opening possession.

Starting at USF's 35, Grothe promptly hit Johnson for 16 yards. After a holding penalty against USF, the Bulls faced third-and-14 from USF's 42, but Grothe hit Hester for 18 yards for the first down.

USF's drive stalled at the 21, but this time Alvarado banged through a 38-yard field goal, tying the contest at 17 with 7:46 remaining.

USF's defense forced another turnover - this time a Mike Jenkins interception - but the offense couldn't score from first-and-goal from the 3.

Three runs netted no yards and Alvarado pulled a 21-yard chip shot with 6:13 remaining.

In the third quarter, USF had three golden opportunities to pull even, but couldn't take advantage.

USF had first downs on Auburn's 22, 21 and 23, but failed to score.

With 6:59 remaining in the third quarter, Alvarado's 37-yard field goal sailed wide left.

Two possessions later, USF's Tyller Roberts caused a fumble by Auburn running back Mario Fannin with Nate Allen recovering at AU's 21. USF lost 6 yards on three plays and Alvarado shanked a 45-yard field goal attempt with 1:01 left in the third quarter.

Amazingly, Fannin fumbled - untouched - on Auburn's next play with Tyrone McKenzie recovering at the Tigers' 23. Four plays later, Alvarado trotted on the field for another field goal attempt - this from 37 yards - but it was blocked by Auburn's Sen'Derrick Marks on the final play of the third quarter.

After USF controlled the game's opening 13 minutes, the Tigers grabbed the momentum in the final 17 minutes of the first half. Leading 14-3, USF had outgained Auburn 146-42.

However, after USF's second touchdown, Auburn outgained USF 144-23 and limited the Bulls to only one first down the remainder of the half.

Although ESPN2's national television audience didn't witness it, USF took an early 7-0 lead on Grothe's 1-yard run with 9:02 remaining in the first quarter. It was the 10th touchdown of Grothe's career.

Ford accounted for 26 yards rushing on the 45-yard scoring drive, but the big play was a 15-yard interference penalty against Auburn's Jonathan Wilhite on third-and-9.

Byrum's 49-yard field goal pulled the Tigers within 7-3, but USF answered with a 69-yard scoring drive capped by Ford's 2-yard run.

Johnson's one-handed catch for 23 yards on third-and-8 to Auburn's 31 and Grothe's 27-yard keeper were the key plays. Alvarado's second extra point gave the Bulls a 14-3 lead.

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928 or bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com.

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