Despite losing three straight games to Rutgers, USF's players are
speaking with confidence going into Thursday's game against the Scarlet
Knights.

On Monday, when asked about potential advantages in the game, Bulls
senior linebacker Kion Wilson mentioned Rutgers' offensive line, which
was thought to be a team strength entering the season as it returned
five starters from last year.

"Their offensive line had extremely a lot of hype going into the
game, but they're second in the Big East in giving up sacks,"  Wilson
said. "They don't handle stunts and pressure very well, so hopefully
Coach (defensive coordinator Joe) Tresey will be aggressive with the
play-calling, and have our defensive line do a lot of stunting and a
lot of blitzing and hopefully we'll be able to get pressure on the
quarterback."

Rutgers has allowed 22 sacks in eight games -- four more than USF
has allowed -- though the Knights have played the last six games
without sophomore Caleb Ruch, who started 10 games last year at left
guard. Ruch has been out with an ankle injury but could return this
week. USF has totaled just three sacks in the last two games against
Rutgers, while giving up 11 in those games.

Wilson said the Bulls are motivated by last year's 49-16 loss,
saying that USF coach Jim Leavitt has used that game over the past year
to remind the Bulls what can happen when they don't play well.

"It's motivating a lot, because Coach Leavitt, he does a great job
of not letting us forget about that game," Wilson said. "He lets us
know that we basically were embarrassed that game. We have a lot to
play for, self-pride, self-respect, position rank within the Big East.
We're going out with a lot of energy and enthusiasm for this game."

Asked if Leavitt has been talking about last year's Rutgers game for
the two weeks since USF's last game, Wilson said it was long before
that.

"Since (preseason) camp," he said. "He's always mentioned the Rutgers game, how
bad we lost, how we were embarrassed and how we have to come out and
play."

Some of USF's players last year took exception to Rutgers throwing
the ball with a 33-point lead in the fourth quarter, and Wilson said
that aspect of getting revenge is also a motivation.

"It is, hands down," Wilson said. "Hopefully, we can get our offense
to stay on the field the majority of the night, and defense, hopefully
we can go out and make big plays, cause turnovers, get the offense the
ball and allow them the chance to score and run out the clock."

Wilson has only been at USF two seasons, but he said he'll be
playing for the Bulls' seniors who have gone 0-3 against Rutgers.

"It's a big game for (defensive end) George (Selvie)," Wilson said. "It's pretty much the same scenario as Cincinnati, how he said he had never won. That's a lot of momentum for guys wanting to play for George."