USF spring football game

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
In print: Sunday, April 13, 2008

Aaron Harris “sacks” Grant Gregory. Quarterbacks were off-limits to tackle, meaning some sacks came on one-hand touches.
	[MELISSA LYTTLE | Times]

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In last year's USF spring game, the Green and White squads grinded out a 7-6 game. Saturday at Raymond James Stadium, they trumped that with a 6-3 slugfest. Justin Teachey went 2-for-2 on short field goals for the White while Delbert Alvarado left a 48-yarder in the fourth quarter short after hitting from 48 yards on the first drive.

The offenses got inside the 20 only twice, but offensive coordinator Greg Gregory said he wasn't concerned.

"We didn't run any goal line, didn't run the quarterbacks," he said. "Last spring, it was 7-6, and we turned out to be pretty good on offense."

GOOD CROWD: The game drew an announced 4,607, 297 more than the program record set last season. Coach Jim Leavitt, who watched one half from each sideline, said he was pleased by the turnout.

"Like all South Florida crowds, they're passionate," he said.

WHISTLE MANIA: Starting quarterbacks Matt Grothe and Grant Gregory weren't live, so plays were whistled dead on first contact by a defensive player. Defensive end Jarriett Buie piled up four sacks, some on one-hand tags.

"He can play when he wants to," defensive coordinator Wally Burnham said. "He's got the ability to be a player for us. He's got to be disciplined, consistent, all the things he has a hard time doing."

George Selvie had three sacks for the Green, and redshirt freshman Patrick Hampton had three in his debut.

"All spring, (defensive ends coach) Kevin Patrick kept telling me, 'Watch him. Watch him,' " Leavitt said of Hampton. "I've been watching him close. He plays with great leverage. He makes a lot of plays. It's hard to block him. I don't know if he'll be ready this fall. This summer could be huge for him."

DONE EARLY: Grothe threw a 47-yard pass to tight end Andrew Ketchel on the first play of the game and finished 5-for-5 for 70 yards. But he was whistled down for sacks six times and earned a spot on the sideline midway through the second quarter.

"None of them like the sound of the whistle. They hate playing like that," Greg Gregory said. "Neither one of those guys will be hit until the (season-opening) Tennessee-Martin game."

Grothe was relieved by freshman Alton Voss, who scrambled for 15 yards on his first play and finished 2-for-3 for 29 yards.

Grant Gregory, who took all the snaps for the White team, finished 14-of-22 for 190 yards. Six of his passes went to Taurus Johnson for 68 yards. Mike Ford led all running backs with 56 yards on 14 carries.

SETBACK: Junior offensive lineman Danny Tolley, who missed last season with an abdominal injury, tore the ACL in his right knee in the final practice Wednesday.

The Wesley Chapel grad, who watched the game in street clothes, will have surgery, and Leavitt said he was optimistic he could return in time to play this season.

"He's got a shot," said Leavitt, who had no injuries to report Saturday.

T-MAC IN THE MIDDLE: One of USF's biggest priorities was replacing senior Ben Moffitt at middle linebacker. Burnham said he'll go into the fall with senior Tyrone McKenzie, last year's leading tackler at strongside linebacker, starting in the middle. Senior Brouce Mompremier returns at weakside, and junior Chris Robinson will have the first shot at the strongside job.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer