TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

A One-Sided Rivalry, But Never Boring

Tribune photo by JAY CONNER

USF hopes to end its series against Central Florida today with a perfect record.

ADVERTISEMENT

By BRETT McMURPHY

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 6, 2008

ORLANDO - Because the University of South Florida will end its series with UCF after tonight, some have questioned why the Bulls don't want to continue playing a school 100 miles away.

USF running backs coach Carl Franks isn't one of them.

"UCF has been around a lot longer than we have," Franks said. "They've had a football program a lot longer than we have. All of sudden we come in and all of sudden we're the bad guy? It seems UCF has missed on a great opportunity along the way and now wants to kind of attach to us.

"It's really quite humorous to me the way this has flipped. We're trying to build a rivalry with Miami. Maybe they should get one with FIU or FAU? I don't know."

UCF started football in 1979, the Bulls in 1997. Despite an 18-year head start, the Knights have been passed by USF.

"I could go on and on why it's flipped - different conferences, the BCS," said Franks, also USF's recruiting coordinator. "I want to do what's best for our program."

This is only the fourth meeting, but it's been anything but boring. A few highlights:

•In 2005, USF wins 31-14 before what was then its largest crowd at Raymond James Stadium. There were also a record number of arrests (six) and ejections (23) for a USF home game.

•In 2006, an Orlando Sentinel columnist writes USF is a "renegade" program. Before kickoff, USF coach Jim Leavitt chokes up as he reads the column to his team. UCF reaches the Bulls' 10-yard line in the final seconds, but USF holds on for a 24-17 victory. "It ain't no rivalry," USF linebacker Stephen Nicholas said. "They can't win."

•In 2007, an Orlando Sentinel columnist rides the bull in USF's athletic facility and a UCF fan Web site makes disparaging remarks about senior linebacker Ben Moffitt's wife. Both are used to motivate the Bulls, who roll 64-12. A USF fan holds up a sign: "What does UCF's offense and I-4 have in common? It takes three hours to go 100 yards." Afterward, quarterback Matt Grothe says: "I hope they like what happened, because we weren't trying to run the score up on them. We're that much better than them."

What awaits tonight? Who knows, but this past week already has been quite entertaining.

An incorrect phone number for a UCF teleconference is given out, so instead of getting UCF coach George O'Leary, media members reach a phone sex line; a USF executive AD tells reporters that a UCF assistant AD (who is also a USF graduate) is a liar for saying USF asked to return 542 tickets to the game, when in fact another USF official did return the tickets, and then O'Leary says USF "doesn't get it" for ending the series.

All this fun in only three years. It's a shame it has to end. In fact, most of USF's players want the series played.

"Oh, definitely," said USF senior cornerback Tyller Roberts, of Orlando. "I want us to play them every year. I want them to come to the game when I'm 40-50 years old and watch the Bulls play the Knights."

Sorry, Tyller. Looks like this will be your last chance at seeing USF-UCF.

USF at UCF

At Stake

USF - How will the younger Bulls react to their first road game? More specifically, at least five Bulls - WR A.J. Love, NT Sampson Genus, LB Kion Wilson and CBs Jerome Murphy and Tyller Roberts - will make their first road start. RB Moise Plancher, who may start, would be a sixth.

UCF - Despite an offensive line featuring three seniors and a junior, QB Michael Greco was sacked three times last week against South Carolina State. That's not a good omen with USF DEs George Selvie and Jarriett Buie visiting O-town today.

At Stake

Bragging rights until the end of time? This is the final game of the four-game series between the schools. USF is 3-0 and the Bulls feature 14 seniors who look to finish their careers 4-0 against the Knights.

Key Stat

The Knights are 0-17 all-time against ranked opponents, including 0-5 in Orlando. However, UCF has won seven consecutive home games, tied for the nation's eighth-longest home winning streak.

Injury Update

USF - WR Colby Erskin (knee) is out; RB Mike Ford (ankle) is questionable.

UCF - WR Kamar Aiken (foot) is out.

Key Matchup

Led by CB Joe Burnett, the Knights have four seniors in their secondary who have combined for 139 starts. Athlon's preseason magazine ranked the unit as the fifth-best in the nation. UCF's DBs must try to slow QB Matt Grothe and the Bulls' passing attack that has thrown for 702 yards and eight TDs in the past two meetings.

PREDICTION

South Florida 27, UCF 14

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928 or bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT