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Syracuse RB Takes Shots At Bulls Defense

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By BRETT McMURPHY

bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com

Published: October 19, 2008

TAMPA - Syracuse RB Curtis Brinkley accused the University of South Florida defense of playing "dirty" and taking "cheap shots."

"My confidence was there the whole game, but they were playing a little dirty and I was a little nicked up on the first play of the game," Brinkley told the Syracuse-Post Standard. "I took a cheap shot on my knee and it was messed up throughout the whole game. I'll say South Florida has a great defense, but they play dirty. I took a lot of cheap shots and unnecessary hits and stuff after plays."

Brinkley finished with 112 yards, his fourth consecutive game with 100 yards, in the Bulls' 45-13 victory Saturday.

USF defensive coordinator Wally Burnham refused to comment about Brinkley's allegations.

Brouce Is Back

USF senior LB Brouce Mompremier played in his first game since Sept. 20 at Florida International when he suffered a frightening neck injury that momentarily caused him to lose feeling in his arms and legs.

"I hate standing on the sideline," said Mompremier, who had three tackles. "The hit on the quarterback was the best feeling of the day. It was real important, just to get that big hit out of the way. It made me confident the rest of the way."

The defense also welcomed back DE George Selvie and NT Terrell McClain to the starting lineup. Neither had started since FIU because of ankle injuries.

TD Maker

Bulls QB Matt Grothe threw for three touchdowns for the third time in his career and also accounted for four TDs for the third time in his career.

Grothe tossed two TD passes to Taurus Johnson and one to A.J. Love. Grothe also had an 11-yard TD run.

"I've been here four years," Johnson said. "What Grothe does is not new to me."

Rare Win

With Brinkley rushing for 112 yards against USF, it was the first time since 2005 that USF had allowed a 100-yard rusher and won.

The last time was Nov. 5, 2005, when Rutgers' Ray Rice had 158 yards in USF's 45-31 win. Since then, USF had lost the previous seven games when an opposing back had 100 yards rushing.

Brinkley and Pitt's LeSean McCoy (142 yards Oct. 2) were the first backs to rush for 100 yards in consecutive games against USF since Rice (181 yards) and UConn's Andre Dixon (167) did it Oct. 18 and Oct. 27, 2007.

Odds & Ends

USF senior DE Jarriett Buie had two sacks, equaling his career total entering the game. ... Bulls TE Cedric Hill (18 games) and WR Jessie Hester (16 games) each extended their consecutive games streak with at least one catch. ... USF was a 24-point favorite against Syracuse, the most the Bulls had ever been favored by in a Big East or Conference USA contest. ... When Bulls WR Marcus Edwards lost a fumble in the third quarter, it was the first turnover forced by Syracuse's defense in 11 quarters. ... USF has outscored opponents 59-7 in the third quarter.

Brett McMurphy

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