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This could have been history for the Bulls

Today's Memphis game almost was USF's first C-USA contest. But instead, it's just another game. ... Or is it?

By PETE YOUNG

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 22, 2001

Had it happened the way everyone at South Florida expected, today might have been a monumental day in school history: the Bulls' first Conference USA football game.

Yet two years ago it was determined USF's C-USA debut would not come in 2001, but in 2003. Thus today's game at Memphis has no extra impetus for the Bulls.

Or does it?

Memphis was among the C-USA schools that voted to hold off USF's membership (the Bulls were a conference member in all other sports). Why the delay? The C-USA powers-that-be said they wanted to ensure fledgling USF would be "competitive" when it joined.

Competitive? The Bulls won at Pittsburgh two weeks ago. While USF might not be comparable to the C-USA's upper echelon, it has demonstrated it would be "competitive" in the conference today.

As a result of the two-year delay, many Bulls -- most likely all of the juniors and seniors -- never will play a conference game.

Today they can prove they should have.

"It would have been great if this was the first (conference) game," senior safety Joe Morgan said. "We're just going to have to show people that we're good enough to be in this conference, that we can line up, put on the pads and go at it with anybody.

"In a sense, it is extra motivation."

Cornerback Bernard Brown is a fifth-year senior. His career could have been capped by playing in the C-USA this season, but he's not worrying about it.

"There's a hype about Memphis not wanting us in Conference USA (until 2003), but I haven't really heard anybody on the team talk about it," Brown said. "We'll be prepared like we are for every game."

Perceived slights, snubs and disrespectful acts aside, this will be the first of what will become an almost annual game against the Tigers, as the Bulls creep closer to C-USA status.

"I look forward to playing conference games and to matchups like this," coach Jim Leavitt said. "It's exciting to start to develop some personalities and some rivalries in the conference. That's the direction we're heading. So it adds a little bit to the game."

Memphis, like USF, is 1-1 this season. The Tigers lost 30-10 at nationally ranked Mississippi State and defeated Tennessee-Chattanooga 43-10.

"They had Mississippi State beat. They were ahead of them for much of that game," Leavitt said, noting Memphis' 10-0 third-quarter lead on the Bulldogs. "And Chattanooga has been a pretty good I-AA team, and they just took them apart. It wasn't even a football game."

Leavitt might be embellishing Memphis' credentials, as USF is an eight-point underdog.

The Tigers are known for their defense, which was No. 1 in the nation against the run last season and fifth overall. Memphis was 4-7 in 2000, though, which led to defensive coordinator Tommy West, the former Clemson coach, replacing Rip Scherer as coach. The Tigers have allowed an average of 289 yards through two games and will test USF's spread offense, which is coming off a sensational performance in its 35-26 win Sept. 8 at Pittsburgh.

"They don't look like they've dropped off (defensively this season) at all," Leavitt said.

In contrast to the defense, the Tigers ranked No. 111 nationally in offense last season. First-year offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner, borrowing from his coaching experience at Purdue, installed a spread offense this season, guided by 6-foot-4 junior quarterback Travis Anglin.

The Tigers improved from 168 total yards against Mississippi State to 443 against Chattanooga. Junior college transfer running back Dante Brown, who signed with Clemson when West was there, rushed for 158 yards on 18 carries against Chattanooga, including a 62-yard run and two touchdowns.

"What's important for us is to position ourselves to be competitive in the conference," Leavitt said. "The last time we played a C-USA opponent (a 41-7 loss at Southern Mississippi Oct. 7) we got stung pretty good. Hopefully we'll play a little bit better this time out."

Charter flight won't make it easier

Fate-willing, this will be the only time South Florida plays a game after a terrorist attack.

The unique and tragic backdrop for tonight's game at Memphis is exacerbated for the Bulls because, like dozens of teams, they had to travel by plane. (The Bulls took their usual charter flight Friday to Memphis and will return immediately after the game.)

"A lot of people are going to be thinking, 'Maybe we can be hijacked,' " senior cornerback Bernard Brown said. "But security's tighter than it's ever been, so to me this is the safest time to fly.

"I just hope everybody stays focused (on the game)."

Like most people, the players are trying to return to normalcy.

"With a situation of that magnitude, you're just thankful for the things that you might take for granted," Morgan said. "I'm hoping everyone can stay focused. For a lot of people, it was a reality check."

Leavitt said he understands the concerns but is ready to move forward.

"Will there be some guys who are concerned (about safety) here or there? Maybe," Leavitt said. "I'm sure that like everybody else, some guys are going to have some concerns.

"I think the important thing is to get back in the saddle and go."

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