Brut-al: Ducks 'dominate' Bulls, 56-21

Here's the game story from Tuesday's paper. More to come later ...

EL PASO, Texas – That’s what they do to Bulls out here, isn’t it?

All season, USF had the consolation of knowing its three losses had been by a combined 15 points, with chances late to win each game.

That made Monday’s Sun Bowl all the more stunning, as those same Bulls were handed their sombreros, historically crushed in a 56-21 loss to Oregon.

"They dominated. Just physically dominated the line of scrimmage," offensive coordinator Greg Gregory said. "It was total physical domination on both sides. … We didn’t play worth a … We played very poor football. We got outcoached."

No. 23 USF (9-4) allowed Oregon’s Jonathan Stewart to pile up a bowl-record 253 rushing yards. The Bulls handed the Ducks the ball five times with second-half turnovers, and in doing so gave away their national ranking and any momentum and they’d recovered with three late wins.

"We didn’t compete," defensive coordinator Wally Burnham said. "I could tell in warm-ups that our kids were not going to play with the intensity they needed to play with. (Oregon) lined up and whipped our front seven physically all day long. … I’ve never been beaten that bad in a bowl."

A crowd of 49,867 saw a bowl featuring two teams that had peaked at No. 2 during the season; only one team bore any resemblance Monday. It’s one thing to say 56 points is the most ever allowed in USF's 11 years. It’s another to say it’s the most ever scored in the nation’s second-oldest bowl, or the third most lopsided bowl loss ever by a Big East team.

While Stewart couldn’t be stopped, USF never had a running game. Backs Mike Ford and Ben Williams had 10 yards on nine carries in the first half, and USF had 35 rushing yards entering the fourth quarter. Oregon finished with 353.

"They controlled our offensive line," coach Jim Leavitt said. "We knew early we weren’t going to be able to run the ball. They controlled the line of scrimmage. Why, I don’t know. … It’s not the end of the world. It feels kind of yucky-like right now."

Oregon (9-4) looked much like the team that rose to No. 2 nationally before losing Heisman candidate Dennis Dixon, which led to three straight losses. Redshirt freshman Justin Roper, making his first career start, threw for four touchdowns to match a Sun Bowl record. Stewart easily easily broke the Sun Bowl rushing record set in 1977 when LSU’s Charles Alexander rushed for 197.

"If we weren’t going to be able to stop him, we weren’t going to have a chance," Leavitt said. "We couldn’t run the ball and they did run the ball, and when you get down to it, that was a big thing in this game."

USF had the game tied 11-11 late in the first half when Stewart broke loose for a 71-yard touchdown. Down 18-14 at halftime, the wheels fell off for USF, when Oregon scored 28 points in less than seven minutes, thanks to three Bulls turnovers.

"Second half, I can’t explain what happened," Leavitt said. "We didn’t play good enough defense and that’s all there is to it. … We just didn’t get it done. That combined with the turnovers … you’re not going to have any shot at all."

The loss was USF's most lopsided since a 42-3 drubbing at Arkansas in 2002. This time, the Bulls had been favored and widely picked to win, with a national CBS audience tuning in.

"It wasn’t fun," said quarterback Matt Grothe, who left the game with a concussion in the fourth quarter. "It’s definitely disappointing. We’ve got a lot of returners (next year) for what we had a chance to do this year."

Late in the first half, USF had momentum, tying the game 11-11 after a highlight-reel touchdown from Grothe, who eluded a sack and found Taurus Johnson for the score. Those two would combine for three turnovers in the third quarter, helping Oregon rattle off 31 straight points to put the game away.

"Neither side played real well. … I don’t have the answer, and that doesn’t happen to me very much," Leavitt said. "Out of 120 games, there might be three or four times we’ve come out and done that. It’s very unusual for our guys to not play as well like that."

Comments

[James]

"allowed"..as if USF had a choice in the matter. The Ducks took what they wanted and without much of a fight if I might add...not even in the same league.

[Sara]

Actually, Roper is the Ducks 5th string QB.

1. Dixon
2. Leaf
3. Costa (blew his knee out in practice in october)
4. Kempt
5. Roper (who should have started the UCLA & OSU games)

[Ken]

We looked like a high school team or something--they dominated both sides of the ball and every dimension of the game. The defense looked like they hadn't prepared for this team at all.

For those who aren't here: El Paso and this bowl game are first rate. Wish our game had been up to the quality of everything else around here.

[nybullsfan]

Nothing but praise for El Paso and the folks here!

We had the Oregon fans outnumbered at least 5-1 all over town, and as it turns out, a lot of the folks wearing USF gear were local El Pasons.

They really took us to heart, and supported us well.

Of course, I'm disappointed we didn't play up to expectations, but I'm still proud of the players.

And the fans were just great - it was a memorable experience to come out here.

Let's all meet in Miami next year for the NC game!

Go BULLS! Beat the Jayhawks!

[Don]

USF had a great season and should be proud of its performance. As a long-time Oregon fan, it looked for a while as though Oregon would have one of those magical seasons...maybe contending for the national championship. But when Dixon was lost, I didn't think Oregon would/could win another game. Roper, though, was a nice surprise...and one Bellotti should have gone to immediately instead of hoping against hope that Leaf could do something. Bottom line....USF got to play one of the best teams in the country on national TV. Got to be a plus, despite the score, and there'll be other times/places to make up for it.

[Bill]

We were slower on line than Ducks. Selvie got lost when tackle pushed him out . We needed to attack more on D, but team looked lost after they went down 18-11.

[Chris]

Can we get Grothe to spend a little less time hunting and fishing and maybe a little more time preparing to be a Div 1 quarterback?

[Bulls fan]

I agree with Chris, Tebow spends 8 hours on Sundays preparing for games and he wins the Heisman. Grothe was up for Heisman, team ranked #2, and playing Rutgers for National TV and his concern was preparing for a hunting trip. Also, please fire the offensive coordinator, Gregory. Why did we abandon the running game after Ford had 6 carries. Ben Williams is a blocker and reciver out of the backfield, he is not a featured back.

[FortheloveofDuck]

Hats off to USF on a great season for such a new program. Although I am an Oregon fan to the core, I give props to the leaps and bounds this program has achieved. Many Duck fans were a bit worried pre-game due to the finish of our own season after the loss of Dixon. Unfortunately for USF, Oregon came pumped and ready to prove that they were more than Dennis Dixon's acomplices. Your team has a bright future, a solid coaching staff and a dedicated core of fans which is what it takes to continue to grow and expand. Learn from these lessons and come back next year with a vengeance so you can put a hurting on some of those other Florida teams. Good Luck

[Gvaz]

Please can someone do something about the offensive coordinator. This guy need to get fired asap. Coach Leavitt, please do something about that situation.

[Ken]

Greg, what's the word on Grothe--concussion, you say. Did he go to the hospital? Is he okay now? Going to to Tampa return with the team tomorrow?

[RoastBull]

Absolutely pathetic. I was so embarrassed after the 3rd quarter I ran to my car and tore off any identifiable USF gear. They simply gave up. And that guy that kept knelling in the end zone on KO’s instead of running it out should have his scholly revoked—what a Wuss. If the Bulls would have just tried, I wouldn’t fell so bad.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

It takes a 200 yard game from Rutgers. A Uconn back that weighs 170 wet. A Pitt tailback that hasn't done anything all year to finally prove to the faithful that we can't stop the run against anyone half decent.

I was the only guy that really was worried about this happening. And where is the "nobody throws at Mike Jenkins" crowd??

Laughable. They threw at him the entire 1st half.

HA!

And my boy Trae williams got toasted too.

Great Defense.

[Steve the Bull]

Unfortunately, this game and the Rutgers game exposed the weaknesses in the coaching as well. No preparation or game planning, no anticipation of opponents planning (a month to prepare, and this was the best the staff could come up with), and most importantly, clearly Leavitt doesn't have a clue how to make halftime adjustments. Finally, the staff clearly does not know how to recruit either. There is no way this program should have a recruiting class ranked in the 60's, below even UCF and many non-BCS programs. Sorry, but it's time for this staff to move on.

[cg]

Knew it was over when they gave up on Ford after three attempts. Look at the three game losing streak and then the three game winning streak.

Pathetic.

[James B.]

Hey,
you guys are being too hard on yourselves and the coaches. The rest of the Pac10 had the same thing happen to them with only one week of us dreaming up those plays (including USC - now that is some serious D...Chip thought they looked like the Patriots when we played them).
Chip Kelly's offensive scheme in this game was amazing. All the pregame talk was about just running the ball and hoping a new qb could hold onto the ball long enough to hand it off. Then we came out throwing for the first two series and using some crazy schemes nobody could prepare for. This is truly an advanced form of the spread offense.
It's all about how your coaches can learn from this experience. They haven't seen anything like this yet. Now they can get some ideas for next year. See the potential.

It's funny. after our three game losing streak, we were trying to teach this complicated offense to two young qb's because they were all we had left and there were alot of people saying the same thing about our coaches.

Just see how they come back fired up for next year.
You guys are a class act. It was a shame to see Grothe get hurt out there. Or anyone for that matter. I like to play everyones best, win or lose. Belotti and our guys are class act too (despite the... eh... penalties). hate to see kids go down. hope everyone gets back to 100%.
Good luck next year.

[D.L.]

Thanks James B. Its nice to gets some perspective from a thoughtful victorious oppenent. El Paso was a great experience in all respects. i'm glad we made the trip in spite of the 3rd quarter.... Always sad to hear from the "ashamed to wear my gear...fire the coaching staff" crowd. Our band-wagon is just getting rolling so its to be expected.

Hope to face you again down the road and promise we will put up more of a fight.

[D.L.]

Thanks James B. Its nice to gets some perspective from a thoughtful victorious oppenent. El Paso was a great experience in all respects. i'm glad we made the trip in spite of the 3rd quarter.... Always sad to hear from the "ashamed to wear my gear...fire the coaching staff" crowd. Our band-wagon is just getting rolling so its to be expected.

Hope to face you again down the road and promise we will put up more of a fight.

[james]

After watching the game I was upset at what I saw. But my fiance put in prespective. No one would have thought we had the season we had this year. We played a very good PAC 10 team in the Sun Bowl. This is a another lesson for us to learn on how to win and to be very good winners.

My horns are off to the Ducks and their fans for playing a good game and being so kind in victory.

This 93 grad is no bandwagon fan. I will bleed green and gold til I die!

GO BULLS IN 08!

[Ari Hinkelberger]

My New Years wish is to see a Bulls team not give up a 175 yard rushing game to any RB..

I am so tired of seeing people run up and down the field on us.

I am glad basketball season takes over from here. No expectations so I can't get disappointed.

[Dale]

If you ran out to your car before the game was over and tore off your USF gear, do us a favor.......LEAVE IT OFF! Go support the Gators or Criminoles you bandwagon A hole!

[James A]

Hey, the frustration is understandable, but this was entirely predictable when looked at objectively. You can't chalk this loss up to "a bad day" or "the guys weren't ready".

The Big East is not yet on par with other major conferences...the competition is significantly inferior to the Pac-10 (yeah, yeah, Cinci beat OSU). These two teams simply did not belong on the same field together.

I though USF players fought hard until the third quarter when they finally realized that they could neither stop Oregon or run the ball. This really looked like a Division II team vs. a Division I team.

How the Bulls were a 7 point favorite is beyond me and I'm sure some books in Vegas took a bath on that one.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Why do you think the Pac 10 is so good??

Washingotn is terrible
Washington State is terrible
Arizona is horrible
Cal is pathetic
UCLA sucks
Oregon State isn't very good

The pac 10 has 3 decent teams. Arizona State, USC, and Oregon.

Give me a break.

Spare me the Pac 10 is so good. The only decent conferences in the country are the Big 12 and the SEC.. Everyone else is about the same.

[James A.]

Any of those Pac-10 teams would physically dominate USF. The Pac 10 will go 4-2 in Bowl games with UCLA losing to a higher ranked opponent. Only ASU laid an egg this year.

I'd be pretty upset to hear my head coach say: "They controlled our offensive line. We knew early we weren’t going to be able to run the ball. They controlled the line of scrimmage. Why, I don’t know. … It’s not the end of the world."

He doesn't know why? As classy as Leavitt seems, maybe they should promote this guy:

"They dominated. Just physically dominated the line of scrimmage," offensive coordinator Greg Gregory said. "It was total physical domination on both sides. …"

At least he knows why....just look at the size of the players.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

And don't forget about Standford..

They are solid.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

yeah -- stanford - arizona - washington state - washington

solid teams

[James A.]

Here, I think this sums it up:

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/index.ssf?/base/sports/1199161512105830.xml&coll=7

http://blog.oregonlive.com/johncanzano/

Don't forget, Stanford beat USC.

[James A.]

Don't be confused...just because the Pac-10 teams beat each other up doesn't mean they are weak teams versus other conferences, only versus other Pac-10 teams. Each of those teams would finish no worse than third place in the Big East.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Yup...

I'll give it you. We got worked. Outplayed. Oregon is a good football team.

We have been exposed.

Now get a life and take a hike.

[Jame A.]

Aw, come on! It's just some friendly banter!

[bobby d]

James A., I'm a Cincy fan and I really can't even imagine that you think the beating we gave Oregon St. early in the year didn't mean anything. I think that it's a good thing UC didn't come to the Sun Bowl because you wouldn't fare too well against us. Yeah you beat USF but that doesn't mean that you can beat the rest of the Big East or that the Pac-10 is so good. UC is very physical and Oregon St. found that out, so don't go running your lips about things you don't know. On a positive note Oregon looked really good, they deserved to win, I'm just surprised it took you guys so long to win after Dixon went down, you guys are talented even without him!

[James A]

Hey Bobbie,

Don't get me wrong because I really enjoyed seeing the Beavers humiliated by a second tier conference opponent. But, realistically, they had two new starting QB's, were on the road, and gave the ball up 6 times...pretty hard to win that game.

Cinci was a pleasant surprise this year, but squeaking past a barely bowl eligible Southern Miss team isn't a lot to crow about. Plus, one of your top teams, Connecticut got creamed by Wake Forest....let's just see how the bowl picture shakes out because the Big East is poised to go 1-5.

[Chris L]

Cinncinati is a mid major team at best. They played and beat another mid major, Southern Miss, in some bowl that nobody watched. Big deal. You played OSU early when they were breaking in a new QB and had some key guys out. They'd kill you in a game today and I hate the Beavers. Cinncinati would be in the lower bottom half of the superior Pac 10.

[SRQ Steve]

I heard Oregon practiced extremely hard the last two weeks before the game. Two a days and very intense practices. I think practicing hard has physical and mental benefits. Did we have any two a days? Our guys may have come in a little cocky.

I also didn't like to see the coaches pull Ford so quickly.

[Jordan]

Ari, you know about basketball, dont talk about football... Pitts running back was one of the best athletes in the big east and had a hell of a year. Think before you speak.

[Ace Rothstein]

Fear not Bulls fans ... Mohawk boy's melon didn't get too scrambled --- at least not enough where he'll miss any time hunting in the next couple weeks!!!

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Pitts running back was a true freshmen..

The guy weighed a buck seventy.

Whats your excuse for the Uconn game?

Did you not think schiano was going to give the ball to Ray Rice 30 times??

I guess you weren't expecting one of the Pac 10's best RB's to get the ball a lot either.

We can't stop the run. Its obvious.

Losers of 4 of our last 7.

[Tad in el Paso]

I'm still here in El Paso. This was a Bulls town (except today's paper kept referring us as the "bulldogs"?) That Oregon team came out with something to prove, and gave it to USF. Oregon also seemed much bigger and faster, something USF needs to continue to move to. I also think that taking shots at Grothe is unfair. Oregon controlled both the lines of scrimmage and Grothe. The OC again abandon the run too soon.

Still a great season, and go Bulls!!

[Ken]

Greg, did you see the El Paso paper's reporter who kept calling us the Bulldogs? Incredible.

I was worried when I read in the El Paso paper a couple days before the game Wally's comments about where our ranking would be after this win, and where we'd start next season--yeah, we might have been overconfident.

Oregon, though, is one of the premier teams in the country. If they'd pegged Roper as their #2 at the beginning of the season, they'd probably have been in the NC game. He was great. They were great.

[DELdaBULL]

Our rush defense is really poor when 1 RB can beat us. I was in the stands calling the plays. Stewart left, Stewart right, play action pass. It is also difficult to play CB (yes Trae, Mike, and Murphy) when the QB has about seconds to throw the ball. The kid had ZERO pressure on him. That was disturbing. It really sucked to see the domination live and in person.

[bobby d]

First of all, you guys obviously don't watch enough college football if you think Cincy is a mid major. Last time I checked, 10-3 is a very good record and by the way the reason why UC was not invited to the Sun Bowl was because they didn't want to see UC possibly blasting Oregon St. in a rematch. The Pac-10 is full of hot air and your conference was nothing special either. USC, Oregon, and Arizona St. were the only teams worth anything, everyone else was average at best. Come play UC again and you'll be wearing our colors after the game because you will be a converted believer. Oregon St. is a UC believer, ask Yvenson Bernard, he still has thorns in his butt after UC held him under 30 yards rushing. If you have an argument, state some facts next time it really is dumb to make comments that make you look stupid!

[VOR]

Granted, we got wipped by the University of California @ Oregon.
We'll learn from it and move on.

[G.A.]

Did see the "Bulldogs" reference. Odd, but I've gotten mascots crossed before. It's nothing intentional, but certainly looks bad when you've been writing about a team every day for a week.

El Paso paper wrote a lot of USF -- features on Moffitt, Ford, McKenzie, Grothe, so don't judge them on one word.

[Dave W]

If ASU is still a good team but laid an egg in the bowl, why isn't the same said for us? Texas was not a great team this year, for sure. It seems like you are applying a double-standard that if a Pac-10 team loses bad in a bowl, it surely was anomalous, but if a Big East team blows the bowl, it is an indictment of the whole conference and season.

Check our OOC schedule for the next several years; we have several quality opponents lined up (can't wait for UM!). Just like this year, a solid OOC performance will keep us relevant in the years to come (Kansas next year should be an awesome game).

McCoy was the only speed back that beat us. Athletically, he's not Slaton or Smith, but he's much tougher than those guys. It's the tough, powerful backs that we have problems with (I had Stewart down for 150 at least). Look at how small we are on defense. The plus is that we ar tough to pass on or carve up with speed plays. The negative is that we extremely vulnerable to power football (evidenced all to clearly by Stewart. UF's loss also points out how strength can beat speed). I want us to grab a big safety (210+), some really big DTs (315+), and some goal-line LBs (250+). Aaron Harris is a player...at DE. He's just way too small to be at DT. Same situation in moving McQueen down there. Sure, the athleticism boost is nice, but if he can't see over the OG, then what's the point? At LB next year, we'll run 227 (Brouce), 235 (T-Mac, and I think that's inflated), and 225 (Kion). How are those guys supposed to stop a fast 235# man with a full head of steam?

[LeaveJenkinsInTheWholeGame]

Every time Jenkins left the game and Gilliam entered Oregon wen right at him. Why does USF rotate Jenkins out on 3rd and long? I'm tire of the rotating of DBs and WRs. Lets leave the good ones in for the majority of the game. Taurus Johnson makes all our big catches, yet we rotate him out for Marcus Edwards every other play. Come on Leavitt lets get it together. Oregon's first drive of the 2nd half was crucial and yet they picked up a 3rd and 9 & a 3rd and 12 by going at Gilliam. Once they scored, Johnson fumbled to allow another Ducks score, Grother threw a pick for 6 and then threw another forced pick that turned into 6. It was the worst 8 minutes of football and it was all played inside USF's 40 yard line.

[PlayersLovingMexico]

I walked out of the stadium next to a USF Offensive lineman's father. He told my wife and I "What do you expect to happen when the majority of the team is in Mexico drinking every night". I don't know how many players were invloved, but they should have been preparing for the game. There is plenty of time to party after a victory. I hope the players had a wonderful night sulking in their hotel rooms. I hope Voss is ready to play QB next year b/c Grothe throwing 15 TDs and 15 INTs doesn't constitute a good QB.

[Chris L]

What are you smoking Bobby D? You beat one good team from a legit conference this year, Oregon State. They were banged up and it was early. You won. Good for you. No other quslity wins. The Big Least is a shell of it's former self and should be taken out of the BCS picture. It's mostly made up of mid majors trying to move up to the big time. Look at your bowl record......enough said. Oh, Cal would be #2 in the Big East. Who, besides West Virginia would have a chance to beat them? Answer...nobody!

[Chris L]

What are you smoking Bobby D? You beat one good team from a legit conference this year, Oregon State. They were banged up and it was early. You won. Good for you. No other quality wins. The Big Least is a shell of it's former self and should be taken out of the BCS picture. It's mostly made up of mid majors trying to move up to the big time. Look at your bowl record......enough said. Oh, Cal would be #2 in the Big East. Who, besides West Virginia would have a chance to beat them? Answer...nobody!

[SRQ Steve]

Chris L

Last year the Big East was 5-0 during bowl season.

Last year UF won the NC. This year they lost 4 games. Are they considered mid major?

By the way, USF beat WVU. So I guess USF along with WVU would have a chance to beat Cal... Idiot.

[Ken]

The El Paso paper had very good coverage of both teams, and of the game--no complaints there at all. I just thought it was a little strange that the after our being the major sports story for the week we'd been in town (if not the month since we were selected), and he would goof on our mascot (and in two articles, and probably a dozen references).

[whatever]

I stayed at the Radisson where the team was staying. They were not allowed to go to Mexico and had an official bowl event most every evening with the Oregon team. So I am not sure who's parents you walked out with but they were wrong. If you guys knew how silly you sounded. We got beat by a better team...and bigger. USF has come a long way but still has a long way to go. Try seeing your glass as half full.

[David Andrieu]

I've been watching West Virginia teach Oklahoma how to play football in the Fiesta Bowl tonight.

USF fans should be very proud of their victory over West Virginia this year.

It is very gratifying to see a Big East team beat up on a traditional national power like Oklahoma. Apparently, Oklahoma thought it would be easy to beat up on a Big East team that didn't even have a head coach. They lost to Boise State (a lowly WAC team) last year.

Apparently Oklahoma thinks they can just show up and the other team will cringe in fear and lose.

I think USF had a very good team this year. All the hype surrounding the Sun Bowl led them to believe that Oregon didn't have a chance. As we see with Oklahoma, expectations can affect how a team prepares for a game and if your mind isn't right, you can have an embarrassing loss.

The Ducks blew last years Las Vegas bowl because they weren't into the game mentally. This year they wanted to prove that that was a fluke.

[Ken]

We sure didn't look like we were "into" this game--mentally, physically, or any other way. Hopefully, we'll have learned a lesson--players and coaches.

[JR Sabin]

This news does not belong on a sports blog. I used to enjoy this site but will log offf for now.

[JR Sabin]

This news does not belong on a sports blog. I used to enjoy this site but will log offf for now.

[Carl H.]

Being there for the game was fun, that is except for the game. Twelve carries by three different running backs for a total of seventeen yards. Turning Grothe into a pro-style drop back passer, receeivers who quite on their routes, fumbles, interceptions, defense that never showed up, and a double reverse that took so long I had time to go get a beer come back and watch Johnson fumble. We also were 2-4 against teams with winning records this season and 1-5 against Rutgers, Cincy and Conn. the past two years. If we don't open up our offrnse and let Grothe do what he does best, and work on a better run defense, it will be more of the same next year. Go Bulls!!!!!