Here's correspondent Joe Rienzi's report from Thursday's practice ...
TAMPA — Junior quarterback Matt Grothe took the practice field Thursday, though USF coach Jim Leavitt said he was very limited.
“Matt ran a little bit today, but I didn’t want him to do too much,” Leavitt said. “He’ll go tomorrow quite a bit. Because (the game is) Sunday night and not Saturday, I just want to wait another day.”
Grothe twisted his left ankle in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 49-16 loss to Rutgers. Leavitt said backup quarterback Grant Gregory has taken nearly all of the first-team reps in practice this week.
“Grant’s really running the offense right now,” he said. “Matt’s repped a lot this year, so Grant’s the one that needs all the reps.”
Defensive coordinator Wally Burnham said redshirt freshman cornerback Quenton Washington, who missed Saturday’s game with a back injury, has shown progress during the week. He added Washington would be a starter if he is healthy enough to play Sunday night against Connecticut.
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
The reality of it is for USF fans who..amazingly ..still think they are so much better than your rival UCF is this...USF(SOS 74) will most likely finish 6-6 while UCF(SOS 77) will most likely finish 5-7, with 2 overtime losses(including difference maker to USF) while playing similar strength of schedule.To make things worse USF was playing mostly juniors and seniors and UCF mostly freshmen and sophomores.
Posted by: Wake Up..Smell The Coffe!!! | November 23, 2008 at 12:32 PM
I know it does hurt for all of you to realize that USF is nothing more than a mediocre mid-major program but don't take it out on me!
Posted by: Chalko | November 21, 2008 at 02:51 PM
At least GG can throw the ball accurate past 40 yards!
Posted by: Rob | November 21, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Gregory is not a good QB.
1-AA starter caliber AT BEST.
Posted by: RR | November 21, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Ok guys, let's leave this question to someone who sees Grothe & Gregory practice. Greg, I'm 100% sure Gregory has a stronger arm and re: speed, from what I've seen when Gregory has run, he looks faster than Grothe. So, who's faster: Grothe or Gregory? I think these knuckleheads will be surprised at the level of play (positive) that Gregory will play come Sunday.
Posted by: Don G | November 21, 2008 at 10:10 AM
The truth hurts, Chalko...I'm sorry.
Posted by: Windbane | November 20, 2008 at 11:14 PM
Tom, cry me a river. You suck!
Posted by: Chalko | November 20, 2008 at 10:20 PM
C'mon Don...(use your real name--Greg) or 'daddy' as Grant calls you. You know your son is a stiff QB with no talent (like the great fumble against RU-right)! Please leave & take Jr. with you
Posted by: JT | November 20, 2008 at 10:15 PM
I don't believe Gregory is faster than Grothe. Gregory is pretty athletic, but Grothe's speed and quickness are very underated.
Posted by: theschwab | November 20, 2008 at 10:03 PM
I don't know if I can handle 2 Gregorys on offense - he's not neasrly as fast as Grothe, Don. At least I don't think so. Whatev Jim decides to do, I'm with him though - GO BULLS!
Posted by: 2 Gregorys | November 20, 2008 at 10:02 PM
If Grant Gregory starts or plays majority of game, I think he'll do just fine. In games he's played, he seems to do pretty well. Gregory is faster than Grothe and has a stronger arm and is a pretty tough QB like Grothe. I think people will be surprised.
Posted by: Don G | November 20, 2008 at 09:08 PM
It took this long to realize that roberts couldn't even carry Washington's jock....good thing he'll be here for a while longer though.
Posted by: TJ | November 20, 2008 at 08:39 PM
UCiF should cancel their football program, they have always been irrelevant and will always be. Chalko
Posted by: Tom | November 20, 2008 at 08:32 PM
Matt Grothe has lead the Bulls to being one of the top mid-major programs in the country, way to go Matt!!!
Posted by: Chalko | November 20, 2008 at 07:58 PM