We told you earlier today of a not-so-flattering comment about USF's defense from N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien, but he had nothing but nice things to say about USF quarterback Matt Grothe on Monday in his weekly news conference with local media.

"They're led by probably the most versatile quarterback in the country,
throwing at 65 percent," O'Brien said, according to a transcript at Thewolfpacker.com. "He's thrown seven touchdown passes and only two
interceptions. You look at their career record, he's third or fourth in
career rushing, third or fourth in career rushing attempts. Score four
touchdowns, he's got their record for touchdowns. So hopefully we don't
let him set any records here, but he's done it all. The defense is even better. The defense is 12th in the country."

Here's one you don't hear often: O'Brien had equal praise for USF defensive ends George Selvie and Jarriett Buie, even though one is a consensus All-American and the other went without a tackle in the first three games of the season:

"(Selvie) is excellent, and the other end is excellent," O'Brien said. "Both guys at the perimeter make the other guy better. They've got two guys coming off the edge that are really special rushers."