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Mitchell doubtful against Rutgers

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By GREGG BECNEL

Tribune correspondent

Published: November 9, 2009

TAMPA - University of South Florida coach Jim Leavitt is not planning on having WR Carlton Mitchell (ankle) available for the Bulls' big ESPN Thursday night game at Rutgers.

"He's doubtful," Leavitt said. "We're not planning on him, so we'll see. But, you know, those things are funny; you don't know how it'll work out."

Mitchell, who had a noticeable limp Sunday, did not wear a protective boot for the first time since injuring his left ankle Oct. 30 against West Virginia.

Mitchell leads USF with 29 catches for 542 yards and four touchdowns.

B.J. stepping up: When four-year starting QB Matt Grothe was lost for the season with a knee injury in Week 3, USF could've had a pity party and simply played out the season with little emotion or fanfare.

But freshman B.J. Daniels has gone 3-2 as the starter and has the Bulls one win from becoming bowl eligible for a fifth consecutive season.

"To come in for Matt, a guy that's been really the big face of the program ... it takes a special guy to come in and walk in those shoes and try to do what he does," Leavitt said. "But B.J.'s his own guy, he's not going to be Matt Grothe; he's going to be B.J. Daniels, and he's done a great job of it."

Daniels has completed 64 of 122 attempts for 1,096 yards, with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also leads USF on the ground with 519 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

"B.J. is just a special player," WR Sterling Griffin said. "He's so young and talented, just me playing with him and being on the same team with him is great because I feed off his energy. When he's up, I'm up.

"We try to look out for each other. I try to make plays for him when he throws the ball and he tries to spread the ball around to us (receivers)."

Back in the polls: USF has re-entered the Top 25 national polls, coming in at No. 23 in the AP poll and No. 24 in the coaches' poll. The Bulls also moved up one spot in the BCS standings to No. 24.

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