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South Florida's Griffin Finds Home At Center

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 6, 2008

TAMPA Since moving from guard to center to fill in for an injured Nick Capogna in last year's season opener, University of South Florida senior Jake Griffin says he's found a home.

"When Capogna went down in the first game, that's when I got bumped over and thrown into the fire. And I love it. I have no plans to leave center," said the Armwood grad, who stayed at center even after Capogna was healthy. "I'd play center over any other spot. You're in the middle of all the action. You're right there between all those big guys. I just think it's fun. And you have to be the quarterback of the offensive line. I take pride in that."

What was Griffin's biggest adjustment after taking over at center?

"You have to know everyone's spot, you have to know what everyone does and you have to read the defenses," he said. "At guard, you have the center telling you what to do. You have to know your spot, too, but at center you have to know everyone's spot."

Griffin believes the offensive line will be one of the Bulls' strengths this season. "I don't think depth will be a problem. We have a lot of guys we can roll in there," he said. "The young guys look good, so the older guys just have to work hard. We can't let the young guys pass us up."

While this group has the makings of being one of the best in school history, Griffin wasn't ready to anoint it as such just yet.

"We're going to work as hard as we can, but we won't know until the end of the season," he said. "There's been some pretty good O-lines here. Ask me after [the season finale at] West Virginia and I'll give you a definite answer on that one."

25K AND COUNTING: Season-ticket sales have exceeded a record 25,000 and are approaching 26,000, USF assistant AD Chris Freet said Wednesday.

Earlier this summer, USF exceeded the previous record of more than 20,000 and there are only about 3,000 lower bowl season tickets remaining. Single-game tickets in the lower bowl for USF home games will be not sold until after the Kansas game Sept. 12. Only upper deck single-game tickets are available for the Tennessee-Martin and Kansas home games.

For ticket information, go to gousfbulls.com.

BETTER BACKS: Last year's group of running backs had more potential than experience. This season, they are talented and proven.

"They're a more solid group because Jamar Taylor and Mike Ford got a year under their belt," Griffin said. "And Ben Williams, what a great story. You can't say any more about Ben Williams than he's already done."

Ford, who has added 10 pounds to his frame, led the trio last year with 645 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Coach Jim Leavitt wasn't concerned. "I don't care how much he weighs," Leavitt said after Wednesday's practice. "He just has to get strong and run hard."

ODDS AND ENDS: Defensive coordinator Wally Burnham said going through workouts in shorts is like "intramural ball." "Saturday when we get full pads then we'll find out who's going to play," he said. … WRs Marcus Edwards, Patrick Richardson and Daniel Bryant and FS Nate Allen returned punts during practice, while WR Dontavia Bogan and CBs Jerrell Young and Tyson Butler handled kickoff returns.

Gregg Becnel

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