'So much better': USF beats W. Virginia, 30-19

TAMPA – All the traditional demons of USF’s recent midseason struggles were nowhere to be found on Friday night against No. 20 West Virginia.

Turnovers? The Bulls committed none. Costly penalties? The Bulls had just 21 yards on five flags. Field-goal woes? Walk-on kicker Eric Schwartz went 3-for-3, including a clutch 44-yarder in the fourth.

Quarterback B.J. Daniels passed with patience and poise, throwing for three touchdowns and rushing for 104 yards in leading the Bulls to a 30-19 win, beating the Mountaineers for the third time in four years.

As awful as the Bulls (6-2, 2-2) looked six days earlier in a 41-14 loss at Pittsburgh, they played some of their best football on offense and defense, moving the chains consistently and keeping West Virginia (6-2, 2-1) and star running back Noel Devine in check defensively.

“They played so much better than we did the last few weeks,” coach Jim Leavitt said. “I was really happy with the defensive secondary. Those guys played a lot better.”

Just as Pittsburgh had marched 80 yards on its first drive last week, USF’s defense gave up an 80-yard drive for a West Virginia touchdown on the first possession. This time, the offense answered right back, with Daniels hitting receiver Carlton Mitchell for a 49-yard touchdown after Mo Plancher converted a fourth-and-1 at midfield.

The defense then stepped up, too – after allowing 80 yards on the first drive, the Bulls held West Virginia to just 91 on its remaining six drives of the half, which netted only a field goal. Devine was held to 42 yards on 17 carries, his first game under 80 yards in the last nine games.

“We were on the same page. Eleven as one, flying all over the field,” said linebacker Chris Robinson, who had six tackles. “This game proved we’re back to where we were the week we played Florida State. We need to carry that the rest of the season and we’ll be all right.”

West Virginia cut USF’s lead to 10-9 when a punt was pinned at the 2-yard line and Jamar Taylor was stopped in the end zone for a safety. Again, the Bulls offense came up with a big play, with Daniels and Mitchell hooking up for a 69-yard gain to the 9-yard line. Daniels hit Love from 11 yards for his second touchdown.

West Virginia scored on its first drive of the second half, too, getting an 11-yard run from Jarrett Brown to cut USF’s lead to 20-19. Again, the Bulls answered on offense, with Plancher getting a strong 28-yard run to the 12-yard line. On third down from the 6, Daniels hit freshman Sterling Griffin for a 6-yard touchdown and a 27-19 lead.

The Bulls continued to be aggressive on offense, going for it on fourth-and-1 from their 41 and converting on a Daniels keeper. On the ensuing third and 5, Daniels scrambled for 23 yards, setting up a 44-yard field goal by Schwartz.

A Raymond James Stadium crowd announced at 56,328 cheered as the Bulls kept alive a streak of not losing consecutive home games since joining the Big East in 2005. West Virginia’s last hopes of rallying ended when Jarrett Brown’s pass on fourth and 28 went incomplete with 3:27 to play.

West Virginia was the third consecutive ranked opponent for the Bulls, a first in school history, and USF faced the possibility of losing a third straight game after a promising 5-0 start that had them ranked No. 21 in the nation.

The Bulls struggled in a 34-17 loss to Cincinnati, then were dominated on both sides of the ball in a 41-14 loss at Pittsburgh last week.

"Everybody thinks we have the three-game slump every year where we lose three in a row," Robinson said. "I'm just glad we changed that up and I hope we can change the rest of the season so we don't lose any more."

USF has always played some of its best football against West Virginia, knocking off the Mountaineers when they were No. 7 in 2006, and No. 5 in 2007. The Bulls now have a week off, then another weeknight game, trying to break their Thursday-night hex with a game at Rutgers on Nov. 12.

Comments

[Jupiter Bull]

Still in town, headign to Jupiter Sunday after visiting friends. Hats off to werbito...great call. I wasn't sure they'd unleash BJ, but they did. Many huge plays. Kion's pix, the 49 yd bomb to CM, the FGs. One of the biggest was the 69 yd'er to CM. Not just because we scored, but it electrified the crowd, and it showed Bj & the WRs finally doign what pros do. When BJ rolled out, he stayed behind and pointed CM to get deep...the DBs chased, byt BJ nailed him. That's poise, adn QB/WRs gettign in synch. A great sign.

Selvie had poor stats, but swatted a pass (a near INT), and was clearly held on a play that negated a TD. That's making an impact.

Too many dropped balls, but that's my only complaint. I was in the upper deck with my wife and co-workers, in the WVU section. On the first USF TD, I jumped to my feet and turned aroudn & noticed I was one among hundreds in green...and standing alone. I felt GREAT. To my right, there was a section of Bulls fans cheering me on as we celebrated everything together.

Plancher ran well, and the D played with fire. Murphy atoned. WVU missed osme big plays, but take nothing away from USF.

We haven't fixed it all, and tests are ahead (Turd does have a point in that WVU hasn't played the toughest schedule...however, there's no denying Devine & others on the WVU team are immensely talented.

Can't make Rutgers, but hope to see you all for L-ville. We CAN run the table...GO BULLS, and thank for the coverage, GA.

[Done with the Jim]

"A friend had an extra free ticket so I went to the game last night. First time since our 07 debacle. Their atmosphere is a bit different, it has that cheer for the City(heard 'Tampa Bay' chants) more than the college feel. It felt more like a pro team atmosphere w/ the video board games and stuff you would see at a Bucs or Rays game." posted on UCF Rivals board

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Is that true about chanting TAMPA BAY?

[Turd Ferguson]

I will be in Piscataway. Haven't missed a game since I've been on the beat.

Posted by: G.A. | October 31, 2009 at 03:00 PM

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If I see you, I'll come up and introduce myself, G.A.

[Bill B.]

Turd, Schiano whined and caused CJL to lose control. Not just the one play but constantly. Schiano is an expert whiner. Let's see if CJL learns how to stay above the whining. Maybe it will be Schiano's downfall of too much whining.
Will be seeing the game on TV.

[G.A.]

I will be in Piscataway. Haven't missed a game since I've been on the beat.

Some good thoughts on here about comments and raising the level of conversation. Again, if you're engaging with someone, you're encouraging them to continue doing what they're doing.

If you don't get responses, you're less likely to post. First quarter of the live blog last night was a ghost town, so I know what I'm saying.

[Turd Ferguson]

That's an insult????

Wow.

Just wow.

You really do need to go play some croquet and relax. If I copied and pasted a few of the things that have been said to me here, you'd probably shrivel up and die.

[utahdog]

Utahdog...

Can you please quote the "insults" I hurled at you? ...

You're obviously not cut out for internet discussion. If you can't take people disagreeing with you and being adamant about their opinions, maybe you and O'Neal can get together and play a nice relaxing game of croquet.

Posted by: Turd Ferguson
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There's one...in the same post no less. Or were you talking football?

[BC]

Terd, it's not even that they overturned the play when reviewed, they used the review to call a penalty, which I didn't think was allowed. But whatever Schiano wants, Schiano gets it seems

[Turd Ferguson]

Not sure who Turd will be cheering for at the game.

Posted by: Bill B. | October 31, 2009 at 12:41 PM

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I can't stand Schiano. I was at the game in Piscataway two years ago when his incessant whining to the officials caused an unreviewable play to be reviewed and overturned.

I'll be the one wearing green if you any of you guys want to come over and introduce yourselves.

[AGW]

Can you give us an injury update? We had so many last night, I just want to make sure that none were serious. Thanks!

[BullBard]

I like Chris Robinson's quote referring to their mindset being similar to that of the performance earlier against FSU. That's what I was hoping to see last week against Pitt.

Nice win Bulls! Keep trying!

[Bill B.]

We had a good game. The coaches made a lot of adjustments during the week and even some during the game. One win does not make a trend. Thursday's game against Rutgers will be the hardest challenge, not Miami. The reason is Rutgers has a coach that is Turd's twin, he likes to get under the skin of crazy people. If CJL and the other coaches keep thier cool we shall win. If they don't Turd will be on the warpath again. Not sure who Turd will be cheering for at the game.

[CLROADY44]

I understand that coach Tresey worked from the booth last night. He probably needs to stay up there because we seemed to be able to make good adjustments during the course of the game. Something I thought we lacked the last couple of games. We need to tighten up on the quick change situations though and get personnel in and out quickly. Defense is the key for this team, if we can win on third downs consistently we can beat just about anybody. To be as good as we can be we have to be able to adjust during the course of the game, every team comes in with their game plan to attack us so we have to adjust to the unexpected. We did that great last night. Good game coach Tresey. Canales was great last night as well. The boot leg on third and 8 in the 4th quarter was a great call. He had been setting it up all night and called it at the perfect time. Go Bulls

[Turd Ferguson]

I'll be in Piscataway.

G.A...will you be there?

[DELdaBULL]

You are right Ari, gutsy call. Will you be in Piscataway? You are still in the DC area correct?

[Ari Hinkelberger]

The story of the game was the 4th and 1 call that Leavitt said "go for it." In theory it was a stupid call, but in principal it was a game changer.

I think he just said "ah the hell with it, we have got to win this game." I too like how BJ runs over to him and says "COME ON..LETS GO FOR IT!" and you can see CJL just say "ah the hell with it, go get the yard."

Leavitt always talks about those 4th down calls. Says you either damed if you dont make it, or forgetten if you do.

That was a big time play in this season. We don't get that yard, WVA is up 7-0 with the ball on the USF 48 yard line.

And then like 3 plays later, he throws a 50 yard bomb to Carlton Mitchell.

Pretty crazy.

[BC]

We always seem to get up for West Virginia, so I knew we would get up for this game, especially being at home. What remains to be seen is if we can get up for Rutgers which we clearly didn't do last year. I can't take another loss to those trash d-bags

[Turd Ferguson]

Good call, Werbito.

[Turd Ferguson]

Utahdog...

Can you please quote the "insults" I hurled at you? I'd love to see what you consider insults. I make a point of NEVER being nasty or derogatory. I tend to get under certain people's skin, but that's by their own doing. I voice my opinions, and that bothers some people. Don't think I'm going to sit here and not come back with a rebuttal. But I'm always, ALWAYS clean with what I say. That cannot be said of others.

You're obviously not cut out for internet discussion. If you can't take people disagreeing with you and being adamant about their opinions, maybe you and O'Neal can get together and play a nice relaxing game of croquet.

[werbito]

You guys need to chill out.

And Turd, why are you such a ****?

[let's talk football]

I agree with cg. Can this blog be about the bulls and not about 2 boys in a school yard? I read all the posts including the normal offenders, because almost everyone has some valuable insight into the actual games, otherwise i'd just look past them. I just think i'm speaking for everyone else as well...including G.A. who has told some people that they don't need to comment after everyone else's comment. Sorry guys, i just know why this blog exists...to talk football, not trade slaps and hairpulling.

[werbito]

Just wanted to say... I called it.

[disgruntledBull]

Several points -

#1 the Pitt loss is not what folks are upset about - it is the WAY we lost and HOW BADLY we lost. Losing 24-21 is one thing, losing 41-7 (I am not counting that last garbage TD) is another thing.

#2 on the running back issue - again I don't think it is a "Ford" fixation as much as it is about picking a back and STICKING WITH HIM for the game. Last night, I think, proved what most folks have felt - give it to one guy (I don't care who) and keep feeding him the ball.

#3 PENALTIES - PENALTIES - PENALTIES! Again like everybody has been whining about for YEARS. Last night showed that a lack of stupid mistakes can help you win. I cannot think of a single WVY drive that was kept alive by a USF penalty.

[utahdog]

Me neither, cg.

It's almost always O'Neal calling me out, and me just responding to the unsolicited insults.

It's a shame. This could be a lot more civilized place.

Posted by: Turd Ferguson
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First things first. Great game, Bulls!

Turd, on my second post ever, earlier in the week, you started tossing insults at me (and the 'Mr Pollyanna' tag came out from you again here today)...I know its a typical 'talk radio' mentality to insult people and then stand back in pretend shock when it comes back, but I think 'cg' may have been refering to you.

GA, your blog is the best source for Bulls info anywhere, web or otherwise. My brother is with the NYT and we talk regularly about how newspapers are trying to move themselves into a better business position in an electronic world, and your work here is a glowing example of how to get that done. Good work!

I have one suggestion though. If newspapers set up these feedback forums for readers, then there has to be a way of tempering attitudes on these pages from readers who seem bent on just provoking a reaction for reaction's sake. Maybe a 2 response limit per blog entry?...if you can't make your point in two responses, then it typically just boils down the conversation into the gutter. I'm not a big fan of these feedback pages, but I know they exists to keep me on the St Pete Times site, looking at advertisments and such, and thats ok. I would like to point out though, that it seems like the same 10 people are the primary users of your feedback forum here, as currently configured, so maybe the Times needs to do something to truly reach a general public audience with this format, and not just the same guys fighting with each other over and over... Surely WDAE or somebody has an online forum where Bulls fans who want to can go to senselessly beat the poo out of each other.

Just a thought...otherwise, your efforts here are faultless.

[Turd Ferguson]

Yeah...way to go Schwartz. Great job by that guy. Bonani's going to have a battle on his hands next season. Schwartz' confidence just keeps building.

I made a point of watching Popek while he was in there for Sims at right tackle.

1) The guy has an NFL body RIGHT NOW. Just to look at him in pads, he looks like he could be on the field for any NFL team.

2) He's tentative sometimes. Hopefully that will change with experience (probably will), but he's got to develop a nasty streak. He looked good on some plays, and not too good on others.

[Mr. Snrub]

One thing that shock me last night is that USF stayed with one RB (Mo). Was it only for Halloween, or maybe they'll keep it? Who knows?

[702JV]

Great game Eric Schwartz, keep it up and through the middle!

[David Weber]

Well, I'm glad we're back on track. I knew that we could handle their o-line and match Devine's speed, but I'm really surprised at how well Daniels played for the whole game.

Canales suddenly remembered that he has a QB that can throw a great deep ball, and he used it to near perfection.

However, our timeout usage was very poor, and the WRs had serious issues with catching short passes. We had at least 5 drops, and Love bobbled an easy one.

We finally displayed some heart after losing our initial momentum. It's the first time we ended our losing streak by regrouping and beating up on a pretty good team. The BCS is probably not happening this year, and I'm not OK with that, but we could finish up with the best record in our history. The schedule is still tough, though. But assuming we at least beat Louisville, we'll have bettered last year's Big East record.

[Thumper]

The biggest difference to me was the number of penalties. I assume this was a new crew. This crew wasn't so flag happy. But, I am not blaming the Pitt loss on the refs. The Bulls just made mistake after mistake. The game last night flowed more smoothly. It is very tedious to watch a game with so many flags.
Please, Carlton, be well.

[Turd Ferguson]

I don't get why fans constantly have to pick at each other.

Posted by: cg | October 31, 2009 at 10:38 AM

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Me neither, cg.

It's almost always O'Neal calling me out, and me just responding to the unsolicited insults.

It's a shame. This could be a lot more civilized place.

[cg]

I don't get why fans constantly have to pick at each other. One fan doesn't think CJL can do it. One does. So what? I do believe this was his best coaching I've seen in years (going for it on the first drive, OC letting BJ play a little more, sticking with a RB-any RB). I am happy for the win, would love to see him coach to win for the rest of the season. Maybe he has something to think about.

[Turd Ferguson]

G.A....

Did this win clinch the Big East title for us?

[Turd Ferguson]

By the way...anybody seen who WVU has beaten?

If you don't want to keep your head in the sand and if you want to maybe keep this win in perspective (which rules out O'Neal), go look at their wins and their loss to a not so great Auburn team.

How about those of you who have been screaming that we need to keep the losses in perspective do a little homework that will help you keep this win in perspective?

[Turd Ferguson]

Well, my life is over.

I'm just devastated.

Steve O'Neal has declared me not to be a fan.

I can't go on like this.

[cg]

Please please please beat RU. I'm hoping we can get 2 of 3 BE games and maybe upset Miami... either way, would love to see a 9-3 finish. If we get a decent SEC team in the PJ.com bowl, the season would be a great success, particularly because we lost our sr. qb.

[wayne jacobus]

Bedford was a beast on the pass rush in the 4th quarter.

[Ken]

O'Neil's right--not that USF has a good team and played well, but that WV isn't that good. I wonder if he'd be one of those yelling "overrated"? They were good, but we were better.

[Steve O'Neal]

Still many dropped passes and burning our time outs too early among other things, but we did pretty darn good overall and we WON against a top 20 ranked opponent. GOOD JOB BULLS!

[DELdaBULL]

Good W. The wideouts need to catch those balls. There must have been somewhere between 4 to 7 drops.

Let's prepare for our own personal house of horrors in Piscataway on a Thursday night no less:(

[WYKindly]

Toughest game left on the schedule is the Miami game. If we play like we did tonight we may have a shot. But, if the team that showed up the previous two weeks makes an appearance, that game can get ugly. Dang, I wish I could go. Anyone wanna sell me some tickets? LoL.

[Steve O'Neal]

What I get is the fact that you are so willing to point out everything you think is wrong with the Bulls BUT REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE A great team performance. You have just shown that you can't stand the Bulls having any success as long as CJL is the coach. Wanting the team to do bad just to support your opinion that CJL is a bad coach.......now that's pathetic. HAHAHAHAHA! I don't buy your BS about being objective and only pointing out the flaws of the Bulls as a "fan". You can say you are a fan all day long.......just a lie! A fan always hopes for and celebrates a victory by their team, not failure to support their views on the head coach. David Weber makes very valid arguments against the head coach and points out things he sees as wrong with the program. Yet at the end of it all he still hopes for and points out ways that the Bulls can win the game. There are many examples of true fans here that exercise their right to state their opinions good and bad. You are not one of them.

[Ken]

A lot of things to like. Just maybe we can win out. Could happen.

FGs and XPx were good, but most of the kickoffs were not, and coverage was terrible. Punting on balance was good, but a couple were so-so, and a couple were great.

I thought we were lucky not to have several interceptions go against us.

All in all, a superb game, a great win; now a bye week and off to Rutgers to secure our bowl-eligible victory. We shouldn't have trouble being up for this one.

[Mike Lakeland]

Wow. Wow. Just wow.

I for one did not think we could do it, but we did. Wow.

If we beat Rutgers and Miami, my life will be complete!

[Turd Ferguson]

.....and I'm the sad pathetic person???????

Posted by: Steve O'Neal | October 31, 2009 at 08:56 AM

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Now you're getting it.

[Steve O'Neal]

Speaking of Jupiterbull, hope you had a safe ride home after the game and enjoyed the victory by our Bulls!

[Steve O'Neal]

I voiced my objective opinions after both losses. I don't make predictions on the outcome of games. I can't tell the future like you, oh yea, neither can you. Here taking your lumps? According to the turd we only won because WVU is a bad team. Nothing to do with a well executed game plan and superior performance over a quality opponent........and I'm the sad pathetic person??????? HAHAHAHAHAHA! You can't even be man enough to give the Bulls the credit they deserve after a BIG victory. Don't worry the REAL fans will be here to offset the negative nellies with objective commenting acknowledging our Bullls flaws. Recognizing the bad performances and yet still maintaining hope and wishing for the best for our Bulls. Jupiterbull posts well thought and correct observations of the program and then still cheers for our Bulls to win. You hope for failure by our Bulls just to justify your BS opinions. So carry on negative nellie, the real fans are more than capable of offsetting your BS! GO BULLS!

[VOR]

My star of the game goes to the kicker.
We all knew what BJ was capable of so his performance was only a reenforcement of things to come.

Schwartz and his performance was a pleasant suprise and had to be a confidence builder.

[Oldcrank]

Just a thought. I was wondering if USF would be kind enough to loan the BUCS those two DEs, Selvie & Pierre-Paul. Also if they could share some on Coach Canales spare time to tutor the Bucs coaching staff, I know a lot of Bucs fans would sure appreciate it. The Bucs are apparently incapable of selecting a qualified teaching coach on their own, so if USF would share the talent maybe we could get 56,000 attendance too.

[Turd Ferguson]

The mind of a football program negative nellie is a fascinating thing. Every program has them. Believe me we have MORE than our share here. They ALWAYS look for the negative and never give credit when it's due. They post NINE SARCASTIC NEGATIVE comments here on the day of the game and then only ONE little pathetic post after we WIN! GO BULLS!

Posted by: Steve O'Neal | October 31, 2009 at 07:57 AM

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Indeed, O'Neal.

Kind of like how you made yourself extra scarce after those two pathetic losses. Well, I'm here taking my lumps, Mr. Pollyanna. I don't have Powerpuff Girls tattoos on my shoulders like you, but I can be a man about it.

Are you predicting an unbeaten finish?

[Dr. Rob Ritter]

Please notice a few things about last nights win. First they let BJ run and make plays happen off of broken plays. This was a big factor in his play last night. The coach also let a single running back take the majority of the carries and it paid off with a good performance due to repetitions. Murphy who played lousy all year had a good game when he needed to. The ends got pressure and did not allow outside runs of speed to catch us. Everything was directed toward the middle of the field and it p[aid off with big hits by our interior. It was a very good game plan that was executed very well, quite simply, this is why we won. Game plans and execution, lack of penalties and turnovers win games, its that simple.