McClain back at practice, Selvie still out

News and notes from the first half-hour of Monday night's practice, where defensive tackle Terrell McClain has returned to drills while defensive end George Selvie remains a spectator, three days before the Bulls play Pittsburgh on ESPN at Raymond James Stadium.

McClain, who did not play in Saturday's win at N.C. State because of an ankle injury, was working with the second-team defensive line in sled drills Monday; Selvie watched those workouts as he recovers from an ankle injury that also kept him out against the Wolfpack.

Last week, USF coach Jim Leavitt said three days before the N.C. State game that Selvie wouldn't start because he hadn't practiced; we'll see if there's any decision regarding that after practice. Cornerback Theo Wilson, who injured his left knee on a punt return Saturday, did not practice Monday.

THE FAKE McCOY: This is really the first week there's an interest in which scout-team players are playing the part of opposing stars. Playing the role of Panthers sophomore running back LeSean McCoy is freshman Demetris Murray, who was wearing his No. 25 jersey in practice Monday. Murray, at 5-foot-10, 205 pounds, is a reasonable physical likeness for the 5-11, 210-pound McCoy.

Freshman quarterback Evan Landi is wearing No. 11 to simulate Pitt quarterback Bill Stull, and it's worth noting that one of two players simulating receiver Oderick Turner is true freshman Daniel Bryant, who got a ton of praise from coaches in August but has now been relegated to the scout team. I don't believe he's played since the opener against Tennessee-Martin.

POPULAR: USF reports that 13 NFL teams will have representatives at Thursday's game to scout potential future draft picks. The Bulls are playing host to 11 bowl representatives as well, including the Orange, Sugar, Rose and Fiesta.

-- A few links ... Matt Grothe is up to No. 9 on SI.com's Heisman Watch, which no longer has Florida's Tim Tebow in the top 10. Connecticut running back Donald Brown, the nation's leading rusher with 906 yards, is in at No. 10.

-- Pitt linebacker Scott McKillop had high praise for Grothe in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Monday: "Matt Grothe is the most underrated quarterback in the country," McKillop said. "He's as good as anyone out there, anyone you can name." Grothe returned the favor in talking about McKillop on Monday, remembering his 18 tackles in last year's game and saying "he was all over the field ... any time you have a guy doing that, it's going to boost the rest of your defense."

Grothe was asked about his 80-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second half last year against Pittsburgh -- all the more impressive because he hasn't rushed for 80 yards in a game since.

"That's a long run, especially for an average-speed quarterback," Grothe said. "At the same time, it was a big confidence-booster for our team. ... It was quite tiring afterwards."

Grothe said he likes the national platform of a Thursday night game, the exposure for the program and the boost for recruiting, even seeing the Sky Cam floating on wires above the field. Last week's game reminded the Bulls that they don't want a national TV audience to see them lose.

"I know most of the guys on the team were watching the USC-Oregon State game," Grothe said. "That's going to be us this week. Hopefully we won't have the same outcome they did."

Comments

[Empty Seats @ RayJay]

We will outnumber the amount of people that show up.

[G.A.]

Bulls have lots of conflicts that might impact their crowd/ratings Thursday -- Rays playoff debut that afternoon, Palin and Biden in their only debate that night. Sounds like the expectations are a crowd in the 50s -- nothing like a sellout, but fine given the circumstances ...

[Mike Lakeland]

Grothe's 80-yard TD run last year is fun to watch. He really looked out of gas at the end of it, heh.

[The Gooch]

I'm worried about this game because it reminds me of the Rutgers game from last year. Although we got some bad calls against Rutgers (i.e. the field goal block that should have went for a TD) I think that Pitt will try to do some fancy things to throw us off guard. If we get off to a fast start like against NC State they'll have to rely on their passing game and we can take their running back out of the game.

[Windbane]

lurker, don't support that lunacy, heh.

[lurker]

i love you bowlingninjas

[Bowlingninjas]

I think the debate will Palin comparison to USF's outstanding performance as long as we aren't Biden our time and finish them off early.

[Windbane]

Actually, the debate starts around halftime for USF, so hopefully we've made our statement by then.

[Windbane]

crap, that VP debate is going to kill our ratings.

[Dres]

hey GA, I know you will be watching the game.... but i was wonder if you have a pulse on the rest of sports writers cause of the VP Debate?

[oldgreengold]

That's an impressive list of bowl representatives. I hope we are equally impressive to them on the field. It would be fantastic to be in one of those bowls. Nice compliment from McKillop. Perhaps his coach can learn something from him on how to talk about other teams and their players.

[jason]

I just watched it. They must have gotten word and removed it

[Justin]

okay i rewatched the video and those clips are gone... maybe i'm just crazy but both myself and a friend saw it earlier... anyone else remember this?

[Justin]

So on the Grothe video on SI's Heisman watch list two of the first three video clips are Grant Gregory and Anthony Severino. It's not even difficult to tell. They look different and are wearing different numbers and you can even see Severino's name on the back of the jersey. Just ridiculous!

[Bullerz]

I hope we fill the stadium but I don't think it will happen. Come one Tampa! We need to look good for the reps. I'm thinking 48K...

[Windbane]

Also, this is the chance to impress voters since, as Grothe says, everyone will be watching. There's no logical reason for us being behind BYU, USC, or Texas Tech right now.

[Windbane]

Maybe a good thing if Selvie doesn't play in front of scouts. Let him get time in front of scouts all of next year, heh.

Craig Marshall and Chris Robinson are doing well, anyway.

I'm more sad about Theo Wilson because he's shown he can be a dynamic returner.