Scout's honor: Simulating W. Va.'s speed

We don't get to write a lot about USF's scout team, the redshirting freshmen and reserves who don a different jersey number every week, doing their best to simulate the opposing squad to give the Bulls a better sense of the formations and players they'll be lining up against.

This is an interesting week, because it's difficult to simulate the speed that West Virginia has in its offensive skill players. So we took an extra interest in the casting Monday night, seeing which Bulls were chosen to portray which Mountaineers in preparation for Friday night's game. Your playbill ...

AS RUNNING BACK STEVE SLATON ... freshman running back Tyson Butler, who wore Slaton's No. 10 jersey with the word "SLATON" on masking tape on the front of his helmet. Butler is 5-11, 170, and Slaton is 5-10, 190, so they're of similar build, and Butler is one of the fastest scout-team players.

AS QUARTERBACK PAT WHITE ... a host of Bulls. True freshman walk-ons Alton Voss and Matt Piloto are both wearing No. 5 -- they tend to wear the opposing QB's number every week. Neither is exactly a physical match for White -- Voss is 6-2, like him, but is 40 pounds heavier, and Piloto is 6-5. So the real Pat White, for scouting purposes, is former starting free safety Danny Verpaele, who is ineligible this season but still practicing with the Bulls and filling an important role this week.

AS TALENTED FRESHMAN NOEL DEVINE ... walk-on running back Rafael Bennett. Bennett, who joined the team after two-a-days when USF could expand its roster above 105 players, is a bit big for Devine -- he's 6-2, 205, while Devine is just 5-8, 170. I'd thought USF might turn to Devine's friend and high school teammate, cornerback Quenton Washington, who at 5-10, 172, is a closer match for Devine's size and speed and might have a better familiarity with his tendencies. Washington's wearing his normal No. 16 and working on the scout-team defense.

AS SPEEDY RECEIVER DARIUS REYNAUD ... a combination of two of the smallest, fastest Bulls on roster. Freshman receiver Patrick Richardson and walk-on David Cozzo are both wearing No. 2 jerseys to simulate West Virginia's top receiver, who actually was the team's leading rusher against the Bulls last season despite getting only two carries. Richardson is 6-0, 163, and Cozzo is 5-10, 160, but they're there to show his speed for USF's cornerbacks, who will have to contain Reynaud on Friday while helping with run support.

There you have it. The kind of silly minutiae you only get here ...

Comments

[Griggsy]

Keep it coming Greg. This week, I think you'll find many fans who just can't get enough news with all the excitement going around.

In the immortal words of "Bruce Dickenson",

"I got a fever. And the only prescription, is more cowbell"

Ring that bell, Greg, ring it.

[Preemptive Cee Attack]

This is another example of Leavitt not having a professional scout team that is the exact same shape, size, and height as the opposing team. I don't really know much about scout teams and I really can't find a way to insult USF's scout team but I'm really trying to insult the team at every opportunity so just pretend that this was a real good jab at USF, Leavitt, Raymond James Stadium, and heck everyone in Tampa Bay for that matter. Go [opposing team here]! Thanks.

[DELdaBULL]

Classic.

[Dave]

Preemptive- the problem is that we don't have 5 star players at every position, and therefore, our scout team must be made of only 1 star players who don't even know what a football looks like, because our thug 2 star 1st team is too busy being not good enough to avoid losing to Auburn by 55...oh wait, Daddy O'Leary is calling me...

[Brian T.]

If anyone is interested in letting WVU know that we will be representing on Friday night give them a call. They have a sport talk show from 6 - 7pm and it appears that it would be a perfect platform to show that USF is here to stay. I figured if 10 people called that would fill up a lot of airtime. I can't wait until Friday night. Phone Number is - 1-800-765-8255

[cee's dad]

dont worry guys.I take away his CPU.

[DG]

You may think of it as "silly minutiae" but I love every little tidbit. Thanks for the information.

[Terry Lucas]

FWIW... Kevin Verpale (our former starting safety) was the scout team QB at times when we needed to get a guy that had similar mobility as the QB we were facing that week... Ironic to see Danny being platooned in the same fashion. Let's give a thanks to momma Verpale if we win this week... only one son short of joing the Gramatica lineage at USF.

[G.A.]

I think the Verpaeles are even with the Gramaticas, unless I'm missing something.

[Kevin Verpaele]

hahah good one Terry, I remember those days. Danny is the youngest, however I have a two and half year old son and he is being groomed to be a BULL. Not sure if that counts but if he is good enough to go to college it will be at USF you can put money on that. This is going to be a great game. Will you be there?

[Kevin Verpaele]

hahah good one Terry, I remember those days. Danny is the youngest, however I have a two and half year old son and he is being groomed to be a BULL. Not sure if that counts but if he is good enough to go to college it will be at USF you can put money on that. This is going to be a great game. Will you be there?

[Ari]

If you need a scout team spectator, I can fill that roll. Let me know.

I am also pretty good with the first down marker.

Anytime -- just put the word out.

[Amanda]

Speaking of Noel Devine, I dare everyone to make a Mike Ford > Noel Devine sign for the game, that would be awesome to see on television!

[justleftsunnySF]

who's mike ford?

[MountaineerMark]

Hi Bulls fans!! MountaineerMark here. Y'all embarrassed us at our house last year when we were injured & I'm just giving you the heads up that a big ol' 55 gallon drum of WV azz-whupping is coming your way tomorrow night. There's no scout team that can simulate our speed...dang, there's no 1st team that can run with the Mighty Mountaineers. Stick those cowbells up your keisters!!! Final score--WVU 41 Bulls 17 Write it down!!!