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Bulls Offense Breaks Out In Big Way

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By KEVIN SMETANA

Tribune correspondent

Published: September 28, 2008

RALEIGH, N.C. - A week after scoring just two touchdowns against one of the worst teams in Division I-A football, the University of South Florida had its second-best offensive performance of the season Saturday night, gaining 514 yards in a 41-10 win at North Carolina State.

The No. 13 Bulls surpassed their total yards from last week by halftime against the Wolfpack. Quarterback Matt Grothe and USF's offense were nearly flawless in the first two quarters as they racked up 354 yards and took a 31-10 lead into the break.

After gaining 320 total yards last week at Florida International and escaping with a 17-9 win, the Bulls' offense started strong against N.C. State and finished the night with four touchdowns and no turnovers.

"We just didn't execute last week. It was one of the poorest played games we've had on offense," senior center Jake Griffin said earlier in the week. "It may have been a lack of focus. I was upset with the way I played; other guys were upset with the way they played."

USF's offense appeared to have no lack of focus against the Wolfpack. The Bulls scored touchdowns on their first three drives, while Grothe completed his first 11 pass attempts for 119 yards and a touchdown. Grothe finished the night 20 of 29 for 259 yards, while rushing for 68 yards on nine carries.

Sophomore running back Jamar Taylor started the scoring for USF with a 1-yard touchdown run, capping a 76-yard drive. N.C. State scored a 32-yard field goal on the ensuing drive, but Grothe answered back with a 9-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Carlton Mitchell.

On the Bulls' next possession, sophomore running back Mike Ford scored his team-high fifth touchdown of the season on a 1-yard run, giving USF a 21-3 lead early in the second quarter. Ford finished with 64 yards on 11 carries and had a career-high 22 receiving yards.

After single-digit wins against Central Florida (31-24 in overtime) and FIU, the Bulls went into Saturday's game hoping to make a statement against an unranked N.C. State team. And with the Big East going into the weekend 5-6 against nonconference BCS opponents, USF was looking for a win against an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent for the third straight year.

"I think we need to make a statement. It's an ACC team," Grothe said early in the week. "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."

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