We asked USF coach Jim Leavitt after Saturday's game if the Bulls' defensive struggles might lead to personnel changes for this week's game against West Virginia. Here's what he said:

"We've been disappointed with a few guys. I'm not going to point
them all out. The
last few weeks (they've) been playing poorly. We just can't keep going
like that. We've got to find some people that can do what we coach them
to do, and live with it."

Seems fairly clear-cut, but when asked about the potential changes Monday, Leavitt backpedaled.

"I don't know if I ever said that, if I ever said we're going to make changes on defense. I don't know if I did. I'm sorry if I did. If I did, I don't know why I would say that. I think you always look to play your best people, whoever that is. No, really, we're who we are. We have to try to get to play better football and smarter football. I think that's going to be the key. ... I was more disappointed probably in some of the things we did on special teams also, on kickoff return team. (We) really had an awful day. That was disappointing."

The Bulls did have two holding penalties on kickoff returns and started five drives at the 20 or worse after kickoffs. Seems like the larger issue should be that USF fielded eight kickoffs in one game -- a pair of touchbacks were all that kept the Bulls from matching the school record for kickoff returns in a game.

If anything, USF's defense is giving the kickoff return team extensive game experience -- the Bulls fielded 15 kickoffs in their first five games, but have taken 15 in the last two losses.