USF gears up to face Cincinnati's Collaros

The University of South Florida defensive players and coaches understand that slowing down Cincinnati quarterback Zach Collaros tonight will be a huge challenge. It is a challenge, however, that they seem prepared for this season.

The same couldn't be said after last October's nationally televised weeknight matchup against the Bearcats, when the Bulls watched an unknown Collaros come off the bench in relief of injured starter Tony Pike and run, quite literally, right out from obscurity.

Collaros torched USF for a career-high 132 rushing yards and two scores on the ground, including a back-breaking 75-yard run for a score in the third quarter, in what turned out to be a 34-17 Cincinnati win at Raymond James Stadium. The Bulls never knew what - or who - had hit them. "Honestly," defensive lineman David Bedford said, "I didn't even know who he was."

The impression Collaros made that night was a lasting one. USF coach Skip Holtz affirmed that much, saying several defensive players came in unsolicited this week to watch extra film of Collaros and Cincinnati's high-powered offense in anticipation of tonight's nationally televised matchup against the Bearcats.

The motivation this week was not revenge, Holtz said, but rather USF's defense recognizing what needs to be done if it wants to maintain its high level of play.

"I think our defense is starting to build a little attitude. Right now our defense is really building some pride amongst themselves with the way they're playing, and they are very aware of what Zach did to them a year ago," Holtz said. "(But) I don't think it's so much the taste in their mouth (from last season) as much as the challenge. I don't think it's a revenge factor as much as they understand how good Zach is and what type of player he is and what he can do."

While most of the damage Collaros did against the Bulls last season was with his legs, he's done plenty of damage this season with his arm. Thanks to two of the most dynamic receivers in the conference - D.J. Woods and Armon Binns - at his disposal, the Bearcats' redshirt junior signal-caller enters tonight's game as the Big East leader in passing efficiency (163.56), passing yards per game (242.5) and TD passes (17).

Still, as defensive coordinator Mark Snyder and others were quick to point out, it is Collaros' mobility and ability to avoid pressure and make plays once he escapes that gives opposing defenses the most trouble.

"The play is never over with him," Bedford said. "I've seen him (on film) run from one side of the field all the way over to the other side and throw for a touchdown. That's why he's so tough."

"He's one of the best, if not the best quarterback we've played so far," Bulls safety Jerrell Young said, "and it's going to be a challenge to keep up with him. But we're up for the challenge."