Bulls are refreshed, intense in practice

Maybe Thursday's loss to Cincinnati knocked South Florida from the polls and the ranks of the unbeaten.

But the Bulls didn't appear the least bit shattered coming off their practice field Monday night after an intense scrimmage. Even Coach Jim Leavitt was happy after his team's first full practice since the 34-17 loss to the Bearcats.

"It was refreshing to get back," Leavitt said. "We practiced hard and we'll put this behind us. I like the way we practiced and we'll be ready for Pittsburgh."

The Bulls travel to No. 20 Pitt on Saturday. The Panthers, West Virginia, and Cincinnati remain alone at the top of the Big East as unbeatens and the Bulls still play West Virginia at home on Oct. 30. The door is open, but barely.

The Bulls still have an outside shot at the Big East's BCS berth. Pitt and West Virginia play their annual Backyard Brawl on Nov. 27, and Cincinnati still has to deal with West Virginia and Pittsburgh, leaving the door slightly open.

But it would really help if the Bulls can beat Pitt on Saturday.

"We just have to win," Leavitt said. "Our guys are fighting."

NOTES: Senior WR Jesse Hester practiced after leaving Thursday's game with cramps. He has played little due to ankle and hamstring injuries, but caught a touchdown from B.J. Daniels in the Cincinnati loss. "He looked good tonight," Leavitt said. "He'll be OK."...Leavitt wasn't so sure about sophomore S Jerrell Young, who suffered a fractured forearm at the start of the season but played against the Bearcats. Leavitt said it might have been a mistake to rush Young back into action. "We probably shouldn't have played him," Leavitt said. There's no word if he'll suit up at Pitt ... PK Eric Schwartz is three of six on field goal attempts, but Leavitt said the junior walk-on likely will remain the kicker for at least the Pitt game. Schwartz nailed a 50-yarder against Cincinnati after incumbent Delbert Alvarado missed his own 50-yard chance earlier in the quarter.

Jeff Berlinicke