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Grothe, Bulls Carrying Banner For Big East

By GREGG BECNEL

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 24, 2008

TAMPA - University of South Florida QB Matt Grothe hopes to use Saturday's game at N.C. State as a way of proving that the 13th-ranked Bulls belong among the top teams in the country.

"I think we need to make a statement; it's an ACC team," Grothe said. "Everybody's been saying the Big East is down this year, so I think if we come out and play well and do like I know we can, I think it will help us as a team and help us nationally with everybody."

Grothe says the team is aware of the early season knocks the Big East has been taking.

"We talk about it," he said. "We're trying to win as many games as we can so we can bring some joy into the Big East. ... I still think the Big East is one of the best conferences out there."

Grothe is off to a fast start, having completed 65 percent of his passes (75-of-115) for 916 yards and seven TDs. He also has cut down drastically on his proclivity for throwing interceptions.

ODDS AND ENDS: DE George Selvie (ankle), SS Carlton Williams (hip) and NT Terrell McClain (ankle) missed their second consecutive day of practice. CB Tyler Roberts and DT Aaron Harris, who missed Monday's workout, returned to practice Tuesday. ... Walk-ons Houston Hess and Chris Breit no longer are with the team.