USF will have to face Rutgers without its top receiver, as junior Carlton Mitchell, who suffered a high ankle sprain in the Bulls' win against West Virginia, won't play Thursday, coach Jim Leavitt said.

Mitchell has been very limited in practice since the injury, and his absence takes away some of USF's big-play ability. His 542 receiving yards are more than twice his closest teammate, and he leads the team with 29 catches and four touchdown receptions.

"It just means someone else has to step up," offensive coordinator Mike Canales said Monday. "A.J. Love has to step over to that position, guys like (walk-on Jeffrey "Pookie" Wilson) and (Ed) Alcin, guys that have been waiting for their time to step in have to step up and play. We'll use Dontavia Bogan in different positions throughout the week, and he'll be in those positions where Carlton would be playing. Bottom line, someone goes down, someone steps up."

Leavitt also said the backup cornerback Tyson Butler, who injured his knee against West Virginia, has an ACL injury and is done for the rest of the season.