USF quarterback B.J. Daniels threw for three touchdowns and walk-on kicker Eric Schwartz went 3-for-3 on field goals, guiding the Bulls to a 30-19 win over No. 20 West Virginia.
The Bulls (6-2, 2-2) bounced back nicely after back-to-back losses to Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, beating a ranked opponent for the second time this season. A Raymond James Stadium crowd announced as 56,328 cheered as the Bulls kept alive their streak of not losing consecutive home games since joining the Big East in 2005.
The Bulls led 20-12 at halftime, but the Mountaineers pulled within one point on an 11-yard run by quarterback Jarrett Brown with 9:18 left in the third. Daniels answered by finishing a 69-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to freshman Sterling Griffin.
Daniels got USF going early, hitting Carlton Mitchell for a 49-yard touchdown on its first drive, and a 69-yard pass play from Daniels to Mitchell set up an 11-yard touchdown to receiver A.J. Love. The Bulls bounced back well from a 7-0 early deficit.
After converting a fourth-and-1 at midfield on the first drive, USF's offense saw Daniels hit receiver Carlton Mitchell for a 49-yard touchdown to tie West Virginia 7-7. After a defensive stop, the Bulls marched down to the West Virginia 12 before settling for a 30-yard Eric Schwartz field goal.
West Virginia quarterback Jarrett Brown had hit a 32-yard pass on the first play and capped the drive with a 3-yard run to the pylon. The Mountaineers added two points on the final play of the opening quarter when USF opened a drive at the 2 and Jamar Taylor was tackled in the end zone for a safety. Tyler Bitancurt hit a 33-yard field goal late in the half to cut the lead to 17-12.
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
Ken, I don't know that we're going to get much of an injury update today.
Carlton Mitchell told us he has a high ankle sprain, which makes it seem unlikely he could be effective against Rutgers. He had a boot on his left foot and walked with a crutch after the game.
Nate Allen said he had a hip pointer, but didn't think it would keep him from playing at Rutgers.
Tyson Butler sat on the training table behind the bench for the fourth quarter -- not sure what his injury is, but I will try to find out more.
Posted by: G.A. | October 31, 2009 at 03:10 PM
We'd all love an injury update as soon as possible. Of course, we have 12 days to recover, so that will be helpful.
Posted by: Ken | October 31, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Thanks G.A.
Posted by: 702JV | October 31, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Just can't admit it was a great win. We really had to win this to have any hopes of a good season and we did WIN! We needed to win this to stop the midseason meltdown trend and we did WIN! You over estimated WVU? You over estimate your own opinion! GO BULLS!
Posted by: Steve O'Neal | October 31, 2009 at 01:57 AM
--------
You're a sad, sad man, O'Neal.
I say it was a "good win," and you're bent out of shape because I didn't use a different adjective to describe it.
That's pathetic, bro.
You really do hang way too much importance on the words of a "P.O.S.," as you like to say. My admission that I was wrong about WVU wasn't enough for you. You want me to say that we've solved all the problems and that we could be any team in college football now. You want me to be drunk on delusion like you and type meaningless, baseless crap.
Not going to happen.
Posted by: Turd Ferguson | October 31, 2009 at 08:14 AM
Just can't admit it was a great win. We really had to win this to have any hopes of a good season and we did WIN! We needed to win this to stop the midseason meltdown trend and we did WIN! You over estimated WVU? You over estimate your own opinion! GO BULLS!
Posted by: Steve O'Neal | October 31, 2009 at 01:57 AM
Mitchell has a high ankle sprain. Was in a boot and walking with crutches (OK, walking while holding crutches) after the game. He says he hopes to be back for the Rutgers game ...
Posted by: G.A. | October 31, 2009 at 12:35 AM
Chalko,
Where are you? Even a turd gave a back-handed positive comment.
Posted by: BA | October 31, 2009 at 12:13 AM
Any word on Carlton Mitchell's injury? We either look like National Champs or National Chumps, nothing in between.
Posted by: 702JV | October 31, 2009 at 12:03 AM
Thumper u realize you weren't posting on the live blog right?
Posted by: Bob | October 30, 2009 at 11:42 PM
Good win.
We're the better team there, for sure. I thought WVU was better than that. They're not -- I overestimated them. They'll get smoked by Pitt & Cincy both.
Good predictions by several of you folks here.
Posted by: Turd Ferguson | October 30, 2009 at 11:33 PM
I believe that was Carlton walking with crutches. I REALLY hope he doesn't miss a lot of games. We had a nice QB-WR combo going.
Posted by: Thumper | October 30, 2009 at 11:28 PM
Frederico,
I would like to ask you a personal question. Oh, never mind.
Posted by: Thumper | October 30, 2009 at 10:28 PM
Brown---sorry
Posted by: Thumper | October 30, 2009 at 10:19 PM
JPP is starting to show some inexperience. Getting after Brow, but missing the tackle.
Posted by: Thumper | October 30, 2009 at 10:18 PM
What about the Ponderosa? No pics yet.
Posted by: Rick | October 30, 2009 at 09:23 PM
It looked like Carlton pushed off at the end of the play. Glad the refs didn't see it.
Posted by: Thumper | October 30, 2009 at 08:25 PM
When is the last time somebody on defense made a big play? We need a few interceptions or recovered fumbles.
Posted by: Thumper | October 30, 2009 at 08:16 PM
31 yard gain on first play of game. Starting out like last week. So far, we haven't defended any passes.
Posted by: Thumper | October 30, 2009 at 08:11 PM