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Bulls Defense Strong In Much-Needed 17-13 Win

Tribune photo by CHRIS URSO

USF's Tyrone McKenzie (27) celebrates along with George Selvie (95) and Keith McCaskill (91) after defeating UConn.

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 24, 2008

Updated: 11/24/2008 12:44 am

TAMPA - A few times this season, the University of South Florida defense has failed to hold a late lead for the Bulls. Sunday night, however, the Bulls' defense came up big - especially in the fourth quarter - to secure a 17-13 victory against Connecticut.

For the first time in 36 days, the Bulls walked off the field as winners and all but clinched a berth to the St. Petersburg Bowl.

Having lost three consecutive games, USF was in danger of missing out on a Big East bowl game. But by reaching seven wins, the Bulls (7-4, 2-4 Big East) guaranteed themselves of a Big East bowl.

"It's a big win for us," USF senior Carlton Williams said. "The team was devastated after the big loss against Rutgers last week."

USF nearly blew a 10-0 lead, but got an inspired performance from its defense to down the Huskies (7-4, 3-3) before an announced crowd of 42,422 at Raymond James Stadium.

"This was a statement game for us," USF receiver Taurus Johnson said. "We wanted to come out here and do our thing. The past few weeks things haven't been good."

The win was especially sweet for the Bulls' 21 seniors, who will make a school-record fourth straight bowl trip.

"That's pretty neat!" USF coach Jim Leavitt said. "That's positive stuff! That's good. Cup half-full."

Since starting Big East play, USF's cup wasn't half full - it was full of holes and leaking profusely.

But thanks to a defense, led by senior linebacker Tyrone McKenzie's 16 tackles, the Bulls pulled out a hard-fought victory.

With less than six minutes remaining and UConn driving for a potential winning touchdown, USF linebacker Kion Wilson forced a fumble by UConn quarterback Tyler Lorenzen that was recovered by Quenton Washington at USF's 25.

UConn had a final chance, taking over on its 20 with 1:28 left and no timeouts.

USF senior Jarriett Buie sacked Lorenzen, forcing a third-and-21 from UConn's 11. Two incompletions followed, securing the win.

UConn's Donald Brown, the nation's leading rusher averaging 153 yards per game, was held to 96 on 28 carries.

"We wanted to get after somebody," USF defensive coordinator Wally Burnham said.

USF quarterback Matt Grothe threw for 124 yards (9-for-18, one interception) and rushed for 51 yards on five carries. Jamar Taylor had a 25-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to put USF ahead 17-10.

Trailing 10-3, UConn pulled even at 10 late in the third quarter. The Huskies drove 87 yards in 12 plays, capped by Lorenzen's 46-yard pass to Ellis Gaulden.

USF's Dontavia Bogan returned the opening kickoff 64 yards to UConn's 30, setting up the Bulls' first touchdown - a 3-yard run by senior Ben Williams.

Early in the second quarter, USF increased its lead to 10-0 on Maikon Bonani's 29-yard field goal.

After the Bulls defense forced another UConn punt, Leavitt gambled on a fourth-and-1 at USF's 45 and failed. Grothe was stuffed for no gain on a quarterback sneak, giving the Huskies possession with 7:14 remaining.

"I felt like, 'Boy, that's tough,' " Burnham said.

With the short field, the Huskies offense came to life and drove to USF's 9. However, the defense bailed out Leavitt by holding UConn to a field goal, making it 10-3.

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

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