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Grothe Slimmer, Sleeker, Eager To Lead

Tribune photo by KELVIN MA

USF quarterback Matt Grothe stretches during the first team practice on Aug. 4, 2008.

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 10, 2008

TAMPA - In the past two seasons, Matt Grothe has led the University of South Florida to back-to-back school-record nine-win seasons. Videos of his Tasmanian Devil-like moves have made him a legend on YouTube.

But even with all the success the Bulls have had with Grothe at quarterback, if the Bulls are going to win the Big East title this season, the junior quarterback knew he had to make a drastic change.

He had to overcome his addiction.

"I love Chick-fil-A," Grothe said. "A No. 5, 12 piece nuggets, large combo with a sweet tea - it doesn't get no better than that."

Grothe and Chick-fil-A were the best of buddies last year. Every day for lunch, Grothe's truck whipped into the drive-through like clockwork. Some days he made more than one visit.

At the end of last season, Grothe said his weight had ballooned to 220 pounds. He was in danger of becoming as big as one of the billboards around Tampa that he was featured on.

"I had to lay off it for a little while," Grothe said. "I maybe do it only once a week now."

A slimmer, sleeker Grothe reported for the start of practice Monday.

"His movement is unbelievable," said Mike Canales, USF's pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach. "He's moving so much quicker now. He's worked extremely hard and had a great summer.

"His leadership is real important. I think what's happened is he's taken the opportunity to become a leader and he's worked hard all summer. And as a junior, he's got to take it."

In addition to losing 20 pounds, there are other changes in the 6-foot Grothe. His "Gro-hawk" mohawk is gone. He recently grew a goatee, much to his girlfriend's dismay.

On the field, Grothe wants to make more changes, specifically to cut down on turnovers.

"My freshman year, I thought I threw some interceptions I could avoid and I was going to try to work on that and not throw so many my sophomore year," Grothe said. "It seemed like the plays that worked my freshman year didn't work my sophomore year."

Last season, Grothe threw for 2,670 yards with 14 TDs and 14 interceptions, compared to 2,576 yards, 15 TDs and 14 interceptions as a freshman. His completion percentage dropped from 63.7 to 59.2, and his quarterback efficiency rating dipped from 138.76 to 121.04.

"He makes so many plays when he's scrambling and he releases the ball at the end," USF coach Jim Leavitt said. "He always has his eyes downfield. I don't want to take that away from him. He's got to know how to protect the football and still be aggressive and still move the chains."

What makes Grothe so dangerous isn't necessarily his passing or running skills - he has been the Bulls' leading rusher the past two years - it's his uncanny knack for improvising.

There have been countless times when Grothe has eluded a sure sack with a spin move and turned it into a first down or touchdown.

"You give him a crease, he'll stick a pass in there or he'll take off and run it, and that hurts you," USF senior linebacker Tyrone McKenzie said. "That's one of the most devastating things for a defense. You get in a third-and-long, you have the wide receivers locked up and the quarterback runs for a first down."

Last year, Grothe rushed for 872 yards and threw for 2,670. Only two other QBs in the nation could match those numbers, and one of them won the Heisman Trophy.

In USF's 18 wins the past two seasons, Grothe has 25 TD passes and 13 interceptions, compared to four TD passes and 15 interceptions in eight losses. When Grothe does not throw an interception, the Bulls are 9-0.

"Taking care of the football is the No. 1 thing we have to do as a team," USF offensive coordinator Greg Gregory said. "That's our No. 1 emphasis. Our goal is to lead the country in the fewest turnovers.

"I believe if you do that, you stand a great chance of winning the Big East."

The league's coaches realize to beat USF their teams must stop - or at least contain - Grothe. West Virginia coach Bill Stewart called Grothe a "winner."

In perhaps the ultimate compliment, Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly said Grothe is a "headache."

USF senior long snapper Eric Setser, Grothe's hunting buddy, has noticed a difference in Grothe in the first week of fall drills.

"I think he has the drive this year," Setser said. "We did pretty good at the beginning of the year last year, but we have to learn how to finish.

"I think he understands that, too. He knows the better he plays, the better we are. We kind of go the way Matt Grothe goes."

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

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