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Bonani, Sims Will Get The Start For Bulls

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 11, 2008

TAMPA - When the University of South Florida hosts No. 13 Kansas on Friday, the No. 19-ranked Bulls will feature two new starters in freshman K Maikon Bonani and sophomore RG Jacob Sims.

Bonani will replace junior Delbert Alvarado, of Robinson, and will make his collegiate debut, while Sims will start for RG Zach Hermann, who suffered a broken foot Monday.

Bonani will handle the field-goal and placekicking duties instead of Alvarado, who has hit 23 of 40 career field goals at USF, including 1-for-4 this season. Alvarado will continue to handle the punting duties.

"I've been wanting to get Alvarado focused in on one thing," USF coach Jim Leavitt said. "We've asked an awful lot from him. That was more the reason than anything else. It wasn't the misses by Delbert."

Sims also makes his first career start.

"We consider Jacob Sims one of our starters, so it's his time to go," said OL coach Mike Simmonds, who added that Hermann could return when USF opens Big East play Oct. 2 against Pittsburgh.

RBs Ben Williams (ankle) and Mike Ford (ankle) will be game-time decisions, Leavitt said. WR/PR Marcus Edwards, who left the UCF game with a rib injury, said he's "100 percent" and will play.

Backup CB Tyler Roberts (ankle) is doubtful.

NOT A SELLOUT, BUT BETTER THAN UCF: The USF-UCF series has ended, but that doesn't mean Leavitt has forgotten about UCF.

Leavitt was asked about the Kansas game likely not selling out (53,000 tickets were sold as of Wednesday night).

"Fifty-two thousand isn't bad," Leavitt said. "It's more than they got at Central Florida, right? By a bunch. And that's a sellout over there, right?"

Last week's USF-UCF game drew a Bright House Networks Stadium record crowd of 46,805.

ODDS AND ENDS: USF's senior captains will be Edwards, C Jake Griffin, LB Tyrone McKenzie and SS Carlton Williams. ... Former USF LB Mike Minus, who died at the age of 27 Monday night in a semi-truck accident, is expected to be honored at Friday night's game. ... Former NFL LB Eric Ogbogu, better known as the football player featured in Under Armour's commercials, spoke to the team after practice.

Brett McMurphy

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