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Offense Faces Difficult Task

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 2, 2008

TAMPA - When the University of South Florida visits West Virginia on Saturday night, the Bulls offense will be looking to snap out of a four-game scoring slump. They couldn't have found a tougher opponent to do so.

The Mountaineers lead the Big East and rank 11th nationally in fewest points allowed (16.7 per game). USF has scored 20 or fewer points in four consecutive games.

"They're not giving up many points," USF offensive coordinator Greg Gregory said. "They just took the league champions, Cincinnati, and held them to one or two first downs in the second half.

"They play a different style of defense a 3-3-5 alignment. I'm glad we had an extra week. We got in a couple of extra practices. That gives your team a little bit of time to get used to it."

The Mountaineers also rank second in the league and 15th in the nation in pass efficiency defense.

"It the 3-3-5 alignment is different," USF coach Jim Leavitt said. "You use the extra time you can to try to get lined up the best you can."

ODDS AND ENDS: Senior CB Tyller Roberts, who injured his ankle against UConn two weeks ago, practiced Monday and is expected to play Saturday. "He moved around," Leavitt said. "I didn't watch him much." ... The forecast for Saturday in Morgantown has a high of 39 degrees and a low of 28, according to weather.com. USF is 1-1 when playing in temperatures 40 or below. ... The Bulls, who are expected to receive a bid to the St. Petersburg Bowl by Sunday, likely will play Conference USA's Memphis (6-6) in the inaugural game. The game is Dec. 20 at 4:30 p.m. at Tropicana Field and will be televised on ESPN2.

Brett McMurphy

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