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USF coaches figure to get inspired effort out of 0-11 UCF

 
Published Nov. 24, 2015

TAMPA — Collectively, USF's staff has coached or played in some of the nation's top rivalries including Oklahoma-Texas, Florida-FSU, Mississippi State-Ole Miss and Stanford-Cal.

After those experiences, Bulls coaches have had no problem reaching a consensus this week: They will get winless UCF's most inspired effort of the year.

"You've got to be really mature as a team to not fall for what you see on film," said defensive coordinator Tom Allen, preparing his unit for a decimated Knights offense that ranks last in Division I-A (274.4 yards per game).

"That's not what you're gonna see. These rivalry games bring out a whole different element."

Interim Knights coach Danny Barrett, promoted when George O'Leary resigned after UCF's 0-7 start, said his team will be motivated by all the rivalry's familiar elements: proximity of the schools, intensity of the matchup and the Knights' two-game win streak in the series. "It's our final home game, it's the last game for a handful of seniors that we have," he said. "So our guys are gonna go out and play hard for sure and try to finish off this year with at least one positive in the midst of a tough year."

Nichols honored: Bulls cornerback Deatrick Nichols was named American Athletic Conference defensive player of week for his career game (two interceptions including one returned for a touchdown, eight tackles) in Friday's 65-27 rout of Cincinnati.

UCF: QB Justin Holman, who suffered a high ankle sprain in Thursday's 44-7 loss to East Carolina, is expected to play against USF, Barrett said.

Around the nation

Elliott apology: Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott apologized for critical comments he made about play-calling after the Michigan State loss and says it was the wrong time to say he would not return to school next season. Elliott posted an apology on Twitter. Coach Urban Meyer said Elliott won't be disciplined and agreed that he should have carried the ball more in Saturday's loss but added that he wished the comments would've been made in private instead of during a postgame interview. "It's sealed, as far as our team and the team room is concerned in the locker room," he said. "That kid you're talking about, he's one of my favorite of all times. He's good to go. And we're going to do our best to get ready to play this week." OSU athletic director Gene Smith said that he would prefer Elliott to keep such thoughts private, but, "we've got to recognize today that people have rights and he's a man growing." The No. 8 Buckeyes face No. 12 Michigan Saturday in Ann Arbor.

ORANGE COACHING CHANGE: Syracuse fired coach Scott Shafer, two days after the team's eighth straight loss. Shafer finishes his third season Saturday against Boston College.

Iowa State: Paul Rhoads, fired Sunday, said he will coach the Cyclones in their finale Saturday at West Virginia.

More coaching moves: Austin Peay fired Kirby Cannon after a winless season left the Governors just 1-34 in the coach's three seasons. … Eastern Kentucky fired Dean Hood after finishing 6-5 overall, 5-3 in the Ohio Valley Conference this season. … Montana State's Rob Ash was fired after nine seasons after a 5-6 season. … South Dakota's Joe Glenn is retiring. The 66-year-old was 200-134-1 in 28 seasons.

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VOLLEYBALL: Defending Division II national champ Tampa plays rival Eckerd on Dec. 3 at West Palm Beach as the 64 teams were announced for the first round of the NCAA tournament. In the same region, Saint Leo faces West Florida on Dec. 3. The winners of each of the eight regions advance to the finals, Dec. 10-12, at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center in Tampa.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.