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TAMPA — Saturday's 56-7 win against Tennessee-Martin was decided early enough that most of USF's starters were able to watch the second half from the sidelines, and the margin of victory was USF's largest since last year's 64-12 win against Central Florida.
Now, as the No. 19 Bulls prepare for their last scheduled game against UCF, on Saturday in Orlando, offensive coordinator Greg Gregory said the Knights and their fans shouldn't take offense that USF's backup quarterbacks passed for three touchdowns in the fourth quarter last year, staked to a 33-point lead.
"I've never been in a football game where there's been any intent to run a score up. We let our guys play," Gregory said. "They weren't starting players, and those guys practice all the time for the opportunity to play. If they get in the game, they should be allowed to play. I have no qualms if another team keeps playing against us."
Gregory's son, Grant, threw two touchdowns in the final quarter last year, including a 75-yarder to Carlton Mitchell with 5:06 left. Third-stringer Anthony Severino found Jessie Hester for a 28-yard score with 2:16 left.
"What do you do, stifle them? Tell them not to play?" Greg Gregory asked. "You might find a player doing that. If that was viewed as a problem … you just play the game."
Statistically, Saturday's game will feature two of Division I's top five defenses in yards allowed: USF allowed 97, while UCF gave up 126 in a 17-0 win against South Carolina State.
"We came away with a win the last three years, but I know it's going to be a great game," senior S Carlton Williams said.
STILL AVAILABLE: Last year's game was announced as a sellout at Raymond James Stadium, with 65,598 tickets distributed, but this week's game isn't sold out at Bright House Networks Field, which seats 45,000.
UCF had made tickets available only to Knights season-ticket holders, but the school released a limited number of $65 seats to the general public Friday, with additional $45 seats being released over the weekend.
INJURY UPDATE: USF coach Jim Leavitt said Sunday that he won't know the severity of TE Trent Pupello's ankle/foot injury until this morning, but that looks to be the only lingering injury from Saturday.
Greg Gregory said he saw Pupello getting treatment from trainers Sunday morning, and the sophomore tight end told him he would be ready to play this week.
Leavitt said RB Mike Ford (ankle) and OT Ryan Schmidt (knee) would both be fine for this week's game, saying that they remained on the sideline after their injuries because he wanted to see other players in game action at their positions.
[Last modified: Sep 06, 2008 04:11 PM]
Comments on this article
by Chris
Sep 6, 2008 4:11 PM
Ok SPT, let me do your work for you. UCF has 25,000 seats availablefor season tix holders per year, they sold over 23,000 this year (same as USF). That game at RJS wasn't even close to sold out, announced crowd of about 43,000 and 25,000 were UCF fan
by Brandon
Sep 4, 2008 7:40 AM
First, miscommunication is one word spelled like so, in case USF hasn't taught you that. Second, the tickets are that high bc at the moment the stadium only seats 45,000. The school needs to make money and people WILL buy the tickets at $45 or $65.
by Chris
Sep 2, 2008 10:31 PM
That was a miss communication error, we didnt return any tickets and actually asked for more. and i love how they want to charge college kids 45$ for a football game. very reasonable!
by Brandon
Sep 2, 2008 7:51 PM
USF RETURNED 552 tickets to UCF from their allotment of 4000!! WAY TO REPRESENT BULLS FANS...thats pathetic...
by will
Sep 2, 2008 3:32 PM
Without their beloved Kevin Smith, I predict Leavitt and company are going to dominate both sides of the ball on Saturday. In the past, USF has started slow, but the offense is in sync and Gregory has a ton of weapons. I4 Supremacy will be ours!
by Stephen
Sep 2, 2008 3:32 PM
Don't fall for it, Gregory!!! They're just trying to guilt you into keeping the score close so they can sneak up on us and try to steal a win in the final game of the series. Don't give them the satisfaction!!
by James
Sep 2, 2008 3:32 PM
this game is sold out...the st pete times doesn't know what they are talking about, its just trying to bash UCF
by Andy
Sep 2, 2008 3:31 PM
UCF is not looking forward to this game as they prepare to be rolled.
by Robert
Sep 2, 2008 3:17 PM
"...but this week's game isn't sold out at Bright House Networks Field, which seats 45,000."
Really? I went on Ticketmaster.com 2 hours after this story was posted and could not find even one seat available.
by carlos
Sep 2, 2008 2:40 PM
Is UCF trying to avoid USF fans going to the game? Are they afraid that more USF people will show up than their own people?
by Adam
Sep 2, 2008 2:02 PM
Hey SP TIMES, get your act together over there. The main page of your web site says "USF at USF" this weekend, AND your schedule for the Big East (PDF) says the Kansas game is Sept 13 when it is Sept 12. GET IT TOGETHER OVER THERE!!!!
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