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USF's Verpaele Out For Season With Broken Foot

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 20, 2008

TAMPA - University of South Florida senior free safety Danny Verpaele suffered a broken foot Saturday and will undergo season-ending surgery Thursday.

He is expected to be in cast for six weeks.

Ironically Verpaele suffered the same injury before the 2005 season that caused him to miss the entire season. He also missed last season for a violation of team rules.

Verpaele, who was a third-team freshman All-American in 2004, played in 31 career games with 16 starts. This year he was the Bulls' eighth-leading tackler (17) and was tied for fifth on the team with three passes broken up.

Verpaele was USF's most versatile defensive back, being able to play free safety, strong safety or be a nickel back. His coaches and teammates called him a coach on the field.

"He can make all the adjustments, all the checks," USF defensive coordinator Wally Burnham said earlier this season. "He can come to the sideline and tell you what's happening, what's going on. That's better information than you can get from anyone in the press box and on the sidelines."

Added quarterback Matt Grothe: "His work ethic, that's what makes Danny stand out. He's one of the toughest workers we have."

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

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