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Bulls Save Their Best For Last

Tribune photo by MICHAEL SPOONEYBARGER

USF FB Richard Kelly #39 runs into UCF line backer Lawrence Young #57 during the fourth period

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By BRETT McMURPHY

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 7, 2008

Updated: 09/07/2008 01:11 am

ORLANDO - Now we know why the University of South Florida wanted to end its series with UCF.

The No. 17-ranked Bulls blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead in the final three minutes and escaped with a 31-24 overtime victory against the Knights in the final meeting between the teams.

"It feels good to win, but it was too close," said USF senior Danny Verpaele, one of 14 Bulls seniors who won all four games in their career against UCF. "Too close. The bottom line is we got a W."

After the two-touchdown underdog Knights (1-1) scored on Michael Greco touchdown passes of 13 yards to Corey Rabazinski and 31 yards to Rocky Ross within a span of 66 seconds to make it 24-all with 1:40 remaining in regulation, USF quarterback Matt Grothe drove the Bulls 54 yards to UCF's 20.

However, the Bulls were penalized for delay of game and Delbert Alvarado was wide left on a 42-yard field-goal attempt with 11 seconds remaining, sending the contest into overtime.

"Put that penalty on me," USF coach Jim Leavitt said. "I can't fault anyone else for that. No excuse there."

USF got the ball first in overtime and Grothe hit Taurus Johnson for a 25-yard touchdown pass on third-and-10. On UCF's possession on fourth-and-5, Greco was stopped just shy of a first down by linebackers Brouce Mompremier and Tyrone McKenzie.

It was close enough that the officials brought the chains out for a measurement as a Bright House Networks Stadium record crowd of 46,805 looked on. But the ball was an inch short, setting off a wild celebration on the USF sideline.

"We're pretty good in overtime," USF running backs coach Carl Franks said after the Bulls improved to 7-0 all-time in overtime games.

The loss ended the Knights' seven-game home winning streak, which was tied for the nation's eighth-longest, and dropped UCF to 0-18 all-time against ranked teams.

The victory was especially gratifying for Grothe. Saturday, he received hundreds of telephone calls and text messages after UCF fans got his cell number.

Grothe's father, Matt Sr., even received numerous calls, including a threat that said: "Watch your backs. We can't get to your son, but we can get to you."

Ultimately it was Grothe's son who got to the Knights.

Grothe threw for 346 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also led the Bulls with 54 yards rushing. Johnson had six catches for a career-high 143 yards, including the game-winning TD.

"We got lax," Leavitt said. "We had the game in control. We have to make better decisions.

"We put our defense in such tough positions."

Despite outgaining the Knights 504-226, USF (2-0) nearly blew it in the final quarter.

When Grothe hit Cedric Hill for a 27-yard touchdown and a 24-10 lead late in the third quarter, Grothe ran through the end zone, putting his right hand to his ear, like he was receiving a phone call.

However, the Bulls couldn't put the contest away.

UCF stayed in the game because of poor USF special teams play. Joe Burnett returned a first-quarter kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown and also returned three punts for 71 yards.

His 35-yard punt return with less than three minutes remaining set up UCF's tying TD in regulation.

At one point, UCF had 108 yards total offense and 104 yards in penalties, including a costly blocking-in-the-back call that wiped out what would have been a 63-yard interception return for a touchdown by Johnell Neal.

The Knights finished with 12 penalties for 149 yards. The last one, a false start, left them facing fourth-and-5 on the last play of the game.

UCF coach George O'Leary, who felt strongly the series should be continued, said the emotional game was an example why the game should be an annual contest.

"This is why this is such a great game," O'Leary said. "It was a great game for the fans and players and TV, even though we finished second again."

The reason the Knights finished second again was because of Grothe's efforts.

As Grothe made his way off the field, Rocky the Bull gave him a high-five. Then Grothe's girlfriend, a USF cheerleader, jumped into his arms for a celebratory kiss.

Shortly afterward, the Bulls loaded in the team bus for the drive back to Tampa. The series was over. They didn't even bother to look in their rearview mirror.

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

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