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Bull-Whipped

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 29, 2007

Video: Mayor Pam Iroio Reaction to Win
Photos: Bulls Fans Celebrate Victory

TAMPA - Three weeks ago, the University of South Florida was unranked and virtually unknown throughout the nation.

That all changed Friday night. In a big way.

In the biggest college football game in the city of Tampa's history, No. 18 USF held off No. 5 West Virginia 21-13 in front of a raucous, rocking sold out Raymond James Stadium of 67,018 and a national television audience.

''USF is for real,'' safety Louis Gachette said. ''They saw us at [No.] 18 and that we were a fluke. I wonder what they think of us now.''

The victory could vault the Bulls (4-0, 1-0 Big East) into the Top 10 when Sunday's AP Poll is released.

''We're going all the way, Big East champs,'' USF receiver Carlton Mitchell said. ''That's what it's all about.''

Mitchell's 55-yard touchdown pass from Matt Grothe in the second quarter spotted USF a 14-0 lead. The Bulls increased the margin to 21-3 early in the third quarter on Jamar Taylor's 19-yard run and then hung on down the stretch.

The Mountaineers (4-1, 0-1) managed 437 yards offense, but only 188 yards rushing — barely half of their 357 yard average.

For the second consecutive season, the Bulls defense shut down WVU's offense. Last year, the Bulls created four turnovers. Friday night, they caused six turnovers.

''We did it again,'' said defensive coordinator Wally Burnham, drenched from a postgame Gatorade bath.

Burnham was especially fired up about beating the Mountaineers, who were all wearing New York Yankees hats when they stepped off the bus before the game. Earlier this week, Coach Rich Rodriguez compared the Mountaineers' following on road games to the Yankees.

''You tell West Virginia, they can take those Yankees hats and stick them … you know what I'm saying,'' Burnham said.

For the third consecutive game against USF, WVU All-American Steve Slaton was a non-factor. He had only 54 yards on 13 carries. Quarterback Pat White, who was injured against USF for the second year in a row, was held to 36 yards rushing and 100 yards passing before leaving late in the second quarter with a thigh injury.

''We're not going to let them come into our house and talk all that trash,'' said senior defensive tackle Richard Clebert, who had one of USF's three sacks. ''For the second year in a row, Steve Slaton was a nobody, Pat White was a nobody.

''We might have surprised the nation, but it didn't surprise us.''

West Virginia was a touchdown favorite, but being an underdog doesn't mean much to USF. Since 2003, Coach Jim Leavitt's club has been at least a 6-point underdog 17 times and the Bulls have won seven of those games.

Leavitt said the Bulls aren't done.

''Our goal wasn't to beat West Virginia,'' Leavitt said. ''It was to win the Big East.''

After Taylor's touchdown gave USF a 21-3 cushion, the Mountaineers rallied behind back-up quarterback Jarrett Brown.

''We may have gotten a little conservative right there,'' Leavitt said.

Pat McAfee's 35-yard field goal midway through the third made it 21-6, then Brown found Darius Reynaud on a 9-yard TD pass with 5:45 remaining.

USF managed to run a couple of minutes off the clock, but WVU got the ball back a final time with 2:41 remaining.

WVU drove to USF's 40, but Brown's fourth-down pass to Wes Lyons bounced off the turf with 43 seconds remaining sending the crowd into chants of ''USF, USF.''

Stadium officials then started lowering the goal posts anticipating the oncoming rush of USF's students when the game went final.

USF linebacker Ben Moffitt led the defense with two interceptions, returning the first one 26 yards for his first career TD. A third interception skipped off his hands. Moffitt also had nine tackles, including two for losses.

''Just a great game,'' Burnham said. ''He's an All-American in my eyes.''

Moffitt said there was no secret to USF's success against the Mountaineers.

''I guess we've just got a formula that works,'' Moffitt said.

Sporting a freshly cut Mohawk, USF quarterback Matt Grothe threw for 135 yards and two interceptions. Taylor led the Bulls with 58 yards rushing.

Despite missing a field goal on its opening drive and committing three turnovers on its next three possessions, the Bulls went into halftime with a 14-3 lead.

After forcing a West Virginia punt on the game's opening possession, USF drove to WVU's 30. Freshman Mike Ford, making his first career start, had a 35-yard run on his first carry. However, Delbert Alvarado, who had made his last four field goals, pulled a 47-yard attempt.

USF's next three possessions ended in a Ford fumble at the 50, a Ben Williams fumble at WVU's 30 and Grothe was intercepted by Ellis Lankster at WVU's 3.

The Bulls had to turn to their defense to break the scoreless tie.

On third-and-7, White was hit by USF defensive end Jarriett Buie and threw directly to linebacker Ben Moffitt, who rumbled 26 yards for the touchdown with 1:13 remaining.

Early in second quarter, Grothe turned in the play of the night.

On third-and-8 from the Bulls own 45, Grothe dropped back to pass and was hit by blitzing safety Charles Pugh, who appeared to knock Grothe down. However, Grothe put his left hand down, regained his balance and found a wide open Carlton Mitchell down at the 10. Mitchell hauled in the pass and then tip-toed down the sideline to complete the 55-yard touchdown pass for a 14-0 lead with 9:43 remaining.

If you missed it, don't worry, it should be on You Tube by now.

West Virginia responded with a drive into USF territory. White hit Brandon Hogan in the flat, but USF's Jerome Murphy popped the football from Hogan and free safety Nate Allen returned the fumble to WVU's 26.

However, Grothe was intercepted on the next play at the 2 by Dorrell Jalloh, who returned it to WVU's 17 with 6:22 remaining.

The Mountaineers, who had only 119 yards offense at that point, put together their most impressive drive of the half. WVU converted a third-and-11 and a fourth-and-5 on a White 18-yard scramble to USF's 17.

On White's scramble, he suffered a thigh injury and left the game. WVU had a first-and-goal at the 7 and reached USF's 3, but on third-and-goal center Mike Dent's snap sailed over quarterback Jarrett Brown's head and WVU settled for a 36-yard Pat McAfee field goal with three seconds remaining.

At halftime WVU outgained USF 181-180, but its vaunted running game was limited to only 65 yards on 29 carries.

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

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