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Upset Of Auburn Puts USF On Map

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By BRETT McMURPHY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 11, 2007

Updated: 09/11/2007 12:23 am

TAMPA - When University of South Florida vice provost Dr. Ralph Wilcox stopped by the grocery store Sunday, he immediately noticed a difference.

'I was struck at how many people were proudly wearing their green and gold,' Wilcox said. 'It's surprising what a victory like that can do to build a sense of community.'

The victory - or what's becoming The Victory - Wilcox was referring to was USF's 26-23 overtime win Saturday night at No. 17 Auburn.

'Whenever you travel to a bastion of tradition, not just in football, but also in academics like Auburn University - which is, to the year, 100 years older than the University of South Florida - and win there alone, tells a pretty interesting story,' Wilcox said.

That story hasn't been known to many outside of Tampa. However, that is changing as the Bulls (2-0) continue to make waves nationally.

The New York Times is planning a visit to Tampa to feature the Bulls, while national dot.com columnists from CBS Sportsline, ESPN and Sports Illustrated have trumpeted USF's win the past couple of days.

'Stunning Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium might do more for South Florida's long-term credibility than anything the Bulls had done before,' wrote ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach.

On Monday, USF was named the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week, sophomore Nate Allen was named Big East Defensive Player of the Week and Coach Jim Leavitt appeared on ESPN. Leavitt also is scheduled to appear on several national radio shows, including ESPN Radio, XM, Sirius and The Sporting News

And in just the two days since Matt Grothe's 14-yard game-winning TD pass to Jessie Hester Jr., the school has sold 2,500 tickets for USF's Big East opener against No. 4 West Virginia on Sept. 28. The entire lower bowl at Raymond James Stadium is nearly sold out.

The school also has sold 19,616 season tickets, second most in program history.

'To some folks, USF beating Auburn at Auburn was a surprise,' West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez said. 'But it didn't surprise me. They're capable of beating anyone. That's a big boost to the program.'

Pittsburgh coach Dave Wannstedt, along with the other league coaches, said the win validates the strength of the conference.

'Going down there and winning on the road at Auburn, that's a great victory for them,' Wannstedt said.

Even the defending national champions up in Gainesville noticed.

'Coach Leavitt, I know him very well,' Florida coach Urban Meyer said. 'I just admire guys who work hard and I think he's doing a good job.

'I coached against him one time at Bowling Green in 2002 and he beat us. His guys, they are not cheaters, they don't do it the wrong way or I haven't seen them. If I knew, I'd lose that respect for him. But I think they've got a good program. A very good program.'

UF quarterback Tim Tebow said he watched the end of USF's victory.

'It was a really good game, exciting to say the least,' Tebow said. 'Definitely a big win for USF and their school and a tough loss for Auburn.'

Florida State's Bobby Bowden also was impressed.

'Wasn't that something,' Bowden said of the victory. 'That's kinda the way our team blossomed, playing the Nebraskas away, and the Ohio States and Michigans. It doesn't surprise me that much, because he's been coming on every year.'

CBSSportsline.com's national college football columnist Dennis Dodd said he's 'shocked' USF isn't ranked in the AP Top 25.

'Other than the Michigan upset to Appalachian State, this was the biggest upset of the year,' Dodd said. 'And USF has done this before.'

USF may have received even more national publicity this week, except the Bulls don't play this week, Dodd said.

Still, Wilcox said he noticed 'a tremendous buzz around campus' Monday.

Lara Wade, the school's associate director of media relations, said the Bulls could be what local fans are seeking.

'If the Bucs don't win, the Bulls can win and they can be proud of their Bulls,' Wade said. 'We need at least one winning team in the area we can root for.'

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

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