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USF will face a unique challenge

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By JOEY JOHNSTON

jjohnston@tampatrib.com

Published: October 3, 2009

Updated: 10/03/2009 12:34 am

TAMPA - The history-making victory at Florida State occurred last weekend.

The nationally televised Thursday night game against No. 10-ranked Cincinnati isn't until Oct. 15.

What's in between for the University of South Florida Bulls?

It's the Big East Conference opener, which can't be taken lightly. After all, today's trip to the Carrier Dome brings an unusual challenge.

The Bulls (4-0) must defend a point guard.

Make that a point guard-turned-quarterback.

The Syracuse Orange (2-2), whose historically productive program fell on recent hard times, have been revitalized by the inspiring presence of quarterback Greg Paulus, the former Duke University point guard.

"It's a great story," USF defensive coordinator Joe Tresey said.

It's also a short story.

Paulus, a Syracuse graduate student who was Gatorade's National Prep Football Player of the Year in 2004 before opting for college basketball, has just one season with the Orange. He took advantage of an NCAA rule that gave him a fifth year of eligibility in another sport. Paulus, who once led the ACC in assists, finalized his decision on May 14.

After just a few weeks of training camp, first-year Coach Doug Marrone announced Paulus as Syracuse's starting quarterback. It almost seemed like a publicity stunt. But Paulus has delivered.

"I know who Greg Paulus is, definitely, because I really love March Madness," USF linebacker Chris Robinson said. "He was a pretty good point guard. He's a pretty good quarterback. Am I surprised? Not really.

"He was one of the top high school quarterbacks coming out. When you have it, you don't lose it. You just have to remember it. It's like riding a bicycle. Hey, he's a playmaker. We've got to keep him contained."

Paulus (6-foot-1, 195 pounds) has completed 68.4 percent of his passes for 888 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions this season. Utilizing his footwork and decision-making skills, he has been sacked just nine times in four games.

In his third game, Paulus beat Northwestern 37-34 and passed for 346 yards - the sixth-highest single-game total in Syracuse history, a figure never achieved by the program's two most celebrated quarterbacks, Donovan McNabb and Don McPherson.

"I can't say enough about it, I really can't," Marrone said. "I mean, he didn't even go through the spring with us. From August until now, it's really phenomenal what he has done."

So far, Syracuse's offense has emphasized efficiency and quick-hitting patterns. Paulus has improved each week.

"You've got to realize, he is really like a true freshman when it comes to football knowledge," Tresey said. "Now, when it comes to his maturity and presence, that's a whole different level.

"He's a winner. When you look at Syracuse's demeanor on tape, it's completely different (from previous seasons). Are they improved? Absolutely. But I think having a young man like that, with his presence, leadership and the success he had on the basketball court, he has parlayed that onto the football field."

So far, so good for Paulus.

But he knows the clock is ticking.

"There's some urgency, definitely," said Paulus, who once scored a career-high 25 points in an NCAA Tournament game. "I have to take advantage of every practice, every meeting, every game, every moment.

"I always had the love for football. I wanted to come back and help Syracuse. This week reminds me of the ACC games we played at Duke. If you don't bring your A-game and get ready to play, you're going to get beat. I think we'll be ready."

The Bulls say they will be ready, too.

USF's defensive line is in the spotlight after last week's 17-7 win at Florida State, when it registered five sacks and nine tackles for a loss.

"I don't watch basketball, but I heard he (Paulus) played a little bit," USF defensive end George Selvie said. "He had to have great footwork and he's obviously a great athlete.

"To tell you the truth, just like every week, it's more about us and our approach. I think we've got a good one. It was great to beat Florida State, but that wasn't our ultimate goal. We're trying to win the Big East. This is the first step."

Reporter Joey Johnston

can be reached at

(813) 259-7353.

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