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USF Playing Assignment Football

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By BRETT McMURPHY

bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com

Published: December 6, 2008

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - During this week's preparations for West Virginia's vaunted spread offense, not once did a University of South Florida defender manage to tackle the ball carrier.

And USF defensive coordinator Wally Burnham couldn't have been happier.

The Bulls never tackled the ball carrier - because they didn't use a football.

"When we practice for West Virginia, we don't practice with a ball," said USF two-time All-American defensive end George Selvie. "They have so many options they can give the ball to, we play assignment football. Everyone plays their assignments."

Burnham, who is in his 37th year coaching, said he also practiced with no ball when he was at South Carolina and Florida State.

"Anywhere I've been when we've played an option team," Burnham said. "I don't know who else doesn't do it.

"Everyone has to run to their assignment, because no one knows where the ball is. You've got 11 people going to their assignment."

The first time Burnham had the Bulls practice against an offense without a football, Selvie said he didn't know what was going on.

"I'm sure they thought I was crazy," Burnham said. "They didn't know what the heck to think - them or the coaches. It's a good way to do it.

"That's the only way I know how to do it. That's old-school."

Under Burnham's scheme, the Bulls have schooled the Mountaineers' offense the past two seasons. WVU's offense has averaged only 16 points and 160 yards rushing per game against USF, compared to 36 points and 284 yards rushing the last three years against every other opponent.

WVU coach Bill Stewart called USF's defense "the nemesis."

"The guy who started it all was Wally Burnham, and we haven't had any answers for two years," Stewart said. "Wally started this off, doggone him."

USF quarterback Matt Grothe said the Bulls' defense has provided a lift to the offense.

"The biggest thing is WVU's offense, everyone talks about their offense this, their offense that, they have all these playmakers and our defense has done a really good job," Grothe said.

"When you have an offense like they do and they aren't producing anything, it's hard for their defense to get anything going, too. I think that's helped us a lot with the way our defense has been playing the last couple of years."

Burnham said perhaps the Bulls' defensive success has gotten into the Mountaineers' heads.

"I hope so, I hope they think we've got some answers," Burnham said.

USF senior linebacker Tyrone McKenzie said it's simple. "Flying to the ball," McKenzie said. "And playing South Florida football."

USF at West Virginia

AT STAKE

With their bowl destinations set (USF to St. Pete, West Virginia to Meineke Car Care), there's not much on the line except to avoid a dubious distinction. Tonight's loser would be the Big East's "Disappointment of the Year," according to ESPN.com's Pat Forde.

KEEP AN EYE ON

USF - Playing in likely sub-freezing temperatures, USF's offense must thaw out from a recent four-game stretch in which it hasn't scored more than 20 points in a game. In that span, QB Matt Grothe has three TD passes and nine interceptions. It won't be easy against a WVU defense that has held seven opponents to 19 points or fewer and has not allowed more than 24 points in regulation all year.

WVU - This is the final home game for senior QB Pat White. The Mountaineers are wearing their road white jerseys to honor him with a White Out (USF will wear its home green). White has set 16 school, Big East and NCAA records, but he is only 1-2 in his career against USF.

KEY MATCHUP

USF's defense looks to continue its hex on WVU's offense. In the past three years WVU has averaged 6.3 yards per carry, 35.9 points and 284 yards rushing in games against opponents other than USF. In the last two games against the Bulls, WVU averaged 3.7 yards per carry, 16 points and 160 yards rushing.

KEY STAT

In USF's last 26 games, the Bulls have been an underdog only three times - and won each time. Two of those upsets were against West Virginia (21-13 in 2007 as a seven-point underdog, and 24-19 in 2006 as a 21-point underdog).

INJURY UPDATE

USF - K Justin Teachey (quad), FS Danny Verpaele (foot), LB Brouce Mompremier (head) and RT Danous Estenor (knee) are out.

WVU - None reported.

PREDICTION

WVU 27, USF 10

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928.

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