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Holding Call Steams Bulls

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 26, 2008

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of South Florida LB Tyrone McKenzie's defensive holding on a missed field goal by Louisville with 1:19 remaining allowed the Cardinals to run out the clock.

Not surprisingly, there were different opinions on whether it was a penalty.

"They called it a 'pull and shoot,' they said McKenzie pulled one of their guys and allowed someone to shoot through," USF coach Jim Leavitt said. "I hope it's a great call, because if it isn't we would have had the ball with one more chance with 1:19 to go.

"I don't want to be negative on officiating. But we had something happen very similar against Pittsburgh. Before the game I reminded the officials of that. Maybe I should never say anything. I will learn my lesson. I will never say a word again to the officials.

"Tyrone said he absolutely didn't do it."

Louisville coach Steve Kragthorpe said it's something USF has been doing all season.

"There's no doubt McKenzie pulled up," Kragthorpe said. "We've seen it in film and we knew they'd try to do it again."

Leavitt said he would send tape of the play to Big East coordinator of football officiating Terry McAulay.

Not So Bright House

Saturday's telecast from Louisville on Bright House Sports Network went about as well as the game for USF.

The pregame show went long, so viewers in Tampa missed the opening kickoff and USF's first play from scrimmage.

Then, after a Louisville punt with 4:29 remaining in the first quarter, BHSN went to a commercial and didn't return for several minutes. The network kept showing commercials and even cut to a syndicated tennis show before returning to the game broadcast, missing nine plays of USF's first scoring drive.

Offside USF

USF's defense was penalized five times for being offside, including three on one UL scoring drive.

"There were too many penalties throughout," Leavitt said. "Our defensive line has to have a lot more discipline. That's happened throughout the year. We obviously don't work on it enough."

Banged-Up Bulls

Senior RT Marc Dile (foot) was one of six Bulls injured that did not return in the game.

The others: RB Mike Ford (ankle), TE Trent Pupello (concussion), LB Brouce Mompremier (head), WR Colby Erskin (knee) and NT Terrell McClain (ankle).

Pupello said he actually hurt his neck when he was involved in a car accident earlier this week.

Odds & Ends

USF junior DE George Selvie had two sacks and four tackles. Louisville had allowed only seven sacks this season, and none in the last two games. ... TE Ben Busbee had his first career TD reception. ... Freshman Quenton Washington made his first career start at cornerback.

Brett McMurphy

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