After missing most of three days of practice recovering from a sprained ankle, USF quarterback Matt Grothe got a share of the snaps in Friday's practice, the Bulls' last before Sunday's home finale against Connecticut.

Grothe and USF's coaches have been confident all week that the junior would be healthy enough to start against the Huskies. While senior Grant Gregory has gotten most of the work with the first-team offense, all signs point to Grothe being able to start Sunday's game as USF tries to snap a three-game losing streak.

"He looked fine. I'm sure he's a little bit sore," coach Jim Leavitt said. "He and Grant both split the reps. Matt has played a lot of football, so I'm not concerned. I wanted him to throw a little bit (Thursday) and he threw a little bit ... Today, he did everything, ran the ball a little bit, too. That was good. We've still got two more days. It's good we're playing Sunday night and not Saturday. That would be tougher."

Offensive coordinator Greg Gregory said Grothe took about one-third of the reps, with his son taking the remainder. He said he was encouraged by the Grothe was able to move around in Friday's workout.

"We'll make a game-time decision on who to start, but he was able to move around fine today, and if he could do that today, he'll be able to move around Sunday," Greg Gregory said.

Sophomore Jake Sims, who has played guard and tackle this season, is "tentative" recovering from a sprained right ankle, Leavitt said, and freshman Danous Estenor is still out following knee surgery. Leavitt said redshirt freshman Jeremiah Warren can fill in at tackle if needed Sunday.

Who will USF start at cornerback opposite Jerome Murphy? Leavitt said senior Tyller Roberts and redshirt freshmen Quenton Washington and Tyson Butler, who have all been slowed by injuries, are all practicing, though he didn't know who would start.

Leavitt said that redshirt freshman Mike McGowan, a second-team offensive lineman, is recovering from knee surgery -- he was on crutches at the Rutgers game. And true freshman Armando Sanchez, who is redshirting, is sidelined as he recovers from shoulder surgery.