'09 USF-Miami game now Thanksgiving week
The long-anticipated USF-Miami football series returns with a five-year run starting in 2009, but originally wasn't scheduled to become a Thanksgiving-week tradition until a year later. But on Thursday, USF announced that the 2009 game in Tampa will be moved from September to late November, setting it up as a holiday rivalry game to go alongside the annual Florida-Florida State game.
The first meeting is now set for Nov. 28, 2009, at Raymond James Stadium, with the series continuing each Thanksgiving week through 2013, alternating sites each year. By having the game in November, the Bulls likely lose a window for a bye week before the regular-season finale, as they'll have in 2008 the week before finishing the season at West Virginia.
The two schools met for the first time in 2005, with USF losing 27-7 in the Orange Bowl. Here's a link to USF's official announcement, which includes a full rundown of nonconference games on future schedules.
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
Great news Greg....Hopefully the rivalry will go beyond 5 yrs....BTW, you mentioned last week having updates on the big recruiting week te bulls had when you were on vacation, is that still in the works?
Posted by: SWA | July 03, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Sweetness!
Greg - did you attend the 2005 game? I did. I wish we could've had a QB for that game.
And for the record, I was NOT one of the Pat Julmiste-haters. I liked the guy. I was often chided by my buddies for sticking up for old PJ.
Posted by: Mike Lakeland | July 03, 2008 at 02:55 PM
Haven't missed a football game since coming on the beat in '04. Julmiste wasn't as bad in that game as Courtney Denson, who as I recall was brought in and immediately had like two turnovers that set up Miami scores.
Posted by: G.A. | July 03, 2008 at 03:03 PM
PJ probably could have been productive at another position, like oil driller or something. He could throw the ball amazingly hard straight into the ground. In fact, I think I just solved the gas crisis...
That game in 2010 looms large. The return WKU game has to be the game of the year for us. In reality though, we're playing three members of college football royalty in two years. Now we just have to get the others to come back down for a visit. It will be nice getting paid to beat up Notre Dame, though...
Posted by: Dave W | July 03, 2008 at 03:54 PM
hell of a weekend for the game..I like it a lot
Posted by: BiggTipp | July 03, 2008 at 05:27 PM
Any word if ESPN is going to pick up this game, especially since they were the ones who help setup the USF & UM deal?
Posted by: growlerbull | July 03, 2008 at 05:30 PM
Great news for us, this game should definitely get ESPN coverage, and I also hope they extend the series because it is almost automatic that UM will reload and make a great opponent for us.
Posted by: jarred | July 03, 2008 at 05:35 PM
I don't think ESPN will announce anything until next year, but I'd think it'll be an ESPN or ESPN2 game.
Posted by: G.A. | July 03, 2008 at 06:12 PM
Kick butt Greg. Thanks for the info and I think USF did a smart move. Now the big four will have a day of college ball and I am sure ESPN will pick that up.
Posted by: Jim | July 03, 2008 at 06:45 PM
It should be fun getting stomped by Miami for five years. By the end of the series we'll be forgotten about. See ya at Burger King.
Posted by: Chalko | July 03, 2008 at 08:23 PM
GA, did you ever give us an update on the big signings last week?
Posted by: Eugene | July 03, 2008 at 09:31 PM
Chalko, I am not trying to say you are wrong or anything, but what makes you think Miami will stomp us for five years?
Posted by: jarred | July 04, 2008 at 01:46 AM
Damn... three years later and people are still unloading on Pat Julimeste. PJ didn't lead us to the promise land, but man, the kid bled green and gold as much as the next guy... take it easy on him. Hey PJ... good luck in the real world.
Posted by: Terry Lucas | July 04, 2008 at 06:56 AM
Thanksgiving weekend sucks for attending football games. Students go home and many fans go out of town to spend turkey day with family and friends.
Posted by: Al | July 04, 2008 at 08:11 AM
Thank God Pat got hurt, or Matt Grothe would not have had the chance to save us from PJ. Leavitt blew that one. Everyone knew PJ was awful except Jim.
Posted by: Reality | July 04, 2008 at 09:34 AM
Al,
You are right to some extent about students leaving campus on Thanksgiving weekend even if there is a football game. But this game vs. Miami is a completely different situation. Alot of USF students are from the MIA area and this will be a game that will not be missed.
Posted by: Miles Lamoureux | July 04, 2008 at 11:04 AM
So Dave W is for more drilling in the U.S??
Posted by: Blake | July 04, 2008 at 11:09 AM
The USF/Miami game will be nationally televised for sure. I am guessing next year it will be nationally televised on ABC and not ESPN. UF/FSU will be on CBS next year since it's at UF. The Big Three is no more and will now be known as the Florida Four. UF/FSU on CBS and USF/UM on ABC. The same day and both nationally televised. That will do wonders for our recruiting and national exposure.
Posted by: USF95 | July 05, 2008 at 12:07 AM
True, the Big Three is no more, it's now "the Big One and the Other Three".
Posted by: Chuck | July 05, 2008 at 08:28 AM
Too many brats and too many pints of Bass yesterday...I am glad I have today to recover...
Did anyone else have a good Fouth of July?
Posted by: Mike Lakeland | July 05, 2008 at 09:50 AM
PJ may bleed Green and Gold, but that didn't make him a decent QB. Those days are behind us thankfully.
Posted by: Andy | September 23, 2008 at 08:50 AM