Wilson (ankle) unable to play

The University of South Florida was without its leading tackler during its regular-season finale Saturday night as LB Kion Wilson was scratched because of an ankle injury.

Wilson had 98 tackles, including nine for a loss, to go with one sack and one interception during his senior campaign.

In five of the previous six games, Wilson was the leading tackler for the Bulls and he had recorded double-digit tackles in four of his previous five.

Freshman Sam Barrington got the start in place of Wilson.

Fellow LB Sabbath Joseph did not start due to illness, with Jacquain Williams taking his place in the lineup.

Williams was the leading tackler in the first half for USF, totaling four and one for loss.

Mitchell sets mark

Bulls' junior WR Carlton Mitchell entered the game against Connecticut within reach of the school record for all-time receiving yards.

Heading into play, Mitchell's 1,505 yards were 19 shy of Hugh Smith's mark. Smith set the standard for catches (131) and receiving yards (1,523) from 1999-2002.

Mitchell is in the middle of the best season of his career, hauling in 30 receptions for a career-high 563 yards and four scores.

Mitchell was shut down by the Connecticut defense for the majority of the first half Saturday, limited to one catch in the first quarter for 6 yards.

Just before halftime, he reeled in a 12-yard toss from B.J. Daniels to bring him within 2 yards of breaking Smith's total. Mitchell just pulled in an 11-yard reception in the fourth quarter to set the mark.

Clogging the middle

The Bulls' depth at defensive tackle has been tested all season because of injuries. Freshman Cory Grissom and junior Terrell McClain started Saturday's game against UConn.

McClain, Keith McCaskill, Leslie Stirrups and Aaron Harris all have been injured at times this season, leaving the undersized unit an area of concern for Coach Jim Leavitt.

"It is important that we recruit and get some D-linemen," Leavitt said. "We have five inside guys we're working with, they are just banged up. And they are young. They will get better."

Ford running well

RB Mike Ford got off to a quick start in the first half, running for 48 yards and the only USF touchdown of the half as his team entered the locker room trailing 13-7.

The junior went over the 200-yard mark for the year, going into play with 164 yards in eight previous games. Ford's score, which came with 2:33 remaining in the second quarter, was his fifth rushing touchdown of the season.

Ford's season-high on the ground came against Syracuse in the Bulls' fifth game of the year when he rushed for 68 yards in a 34-20 win.

Bulls bits

The temperature at kickoff was 34 degrees, the third-lowest for a game in USF history. The all-time low of 29 degrees came at last season's game at West Virginia. ... Senior WR Jessie Hester's 36-yard reception in the third quarter was the longest of his career.

Matt Schooley, Scott Carter