Bulls motivated by Rutgers' rout last season

Losing to Rutgers three years in a row should be plenty motivation for USF next week, but the Bulls also will remember last year's 49-16 drubbing in Tampa, which saw Rutgers score the final 21 points.

Up 19 in the fourth quarter, the Scarlet Knights got a 93-yard touchdown pass from starting quarterback Mike Teel to receiver Kenny Britt. Then with a 26-point lead and nine minutes to play, Rutgers threw on two of its next three offensive plays, which struck a nerve with then-senior safety Carlton Williams.

"Even after they were ahead, (to be) still throwing the ball downfield, really, really hurt for me. I told the guys: Next year, remember that," Williams said that night. "When we were down, getting beat, guys were still airing the ball out. Hopefully we can turn that into something positive."

It was the most points ever allowed by USF at home, and the team's most lopsided Big East loss ever, and the Bulls haven't forgotten. Linebacker Sabbath Joseph said Tuesday he hopes his teammates are motivated to not only win at Rutgers, but to return the favor on the scoreboard.

"Those guys put it on us last year, and we don't want to have that happen again," Joseph said. "We're going to their house, going up to New Jersey to play them, and it would be nice to come away with a W, to embarrass them in front of their home crowd."

Comments

[Bulliever]

There were a few WVA fans sitting around us, and no one was giving them a hard time. Most everyone around us was just very excited and relieved that we were winning...

I will have to say the WVa fans looked quite frustrated and sad regarding the game...

It does not make sense for someone to have their car spray painted... are you really sure that it was a USF fan? Are you sure it is not a disgruntled girlfriend/boyfriend. That kind of vandalism seems quite personal...

[Jupiter Bull]

What did a coach say, Esposito?

[Esposito]

Whine, whine, whine. Bring it on Bulls, Scarlet Knights will be waiting. OK for fans to voice their opinions strongly but when a coach makes strong statements they can be rough to eat those words if you don’t win.

[Cat]

Can't wait for this game against Rutgers. They (the Scarlet Knights) are due to lose. Will be looking for a preview (Greg will you be doing that?) as I've not been able to watch Rutgers much this year so not sure what to expect from 'em. Wondering how we match up?

[Negron2002]

The USF fans out numbered the WVU fans by 4 to 1, yes your bright YELLOW shirts did stand out over our dark green shirts. Perhaps that’s why the perception that we didn’t show up. I can’t believe what this writer has stated about what occurred last Friday at Ray Jay. As a retired Police Sergeant, Tampa Police Officers and Sheriff’s Deputies are instructed to eject anyone that acts in the manner that you have stated. Ray Jay is perhaps the easiest stadium to get ejected from in the country. Your statement; “HOWEVER, I WRITE THIS TO SAY HOW UPSET I WAS WITH THE USF INDIVIDUALS THAT SPRAY PAINTED ALL THE WVU CARS” is also very hard to believe, really, ALL of the WVU cars? Did you report these incidents to The Tampa Police department? As for “the low life USF fans” I am a long time season ticket holder and I have never seen the type of behavior that you have described, other than an occasional knucklehead that has had too much to drink and usually that knucklehead doesn’t last the first half. As in any stadium that you go to, there are always going to be a few knuckleheads, you ought to know, you have been “to many many stadiums” as you stated!

[Dave Glaser]

I rode to the game with five WVU fans, walked into and out of the stadium with WVU fans, sat in the middle of a section that was half WVU fans/half USF fans and there wasn't a single incident or bad word. As someone already said, there are idiots everywhere, USF's are no different than the ones in Morgantown - or anywhere else.

[Jupiter Bull]

Ike: None of that matters. We'll see how USF responds next week. GO BULLS!

[Jupiter Bull]

WVU fan, you're generalization is disgusting. Calling us "lowlife USF fans" is stupid. You wouldn't want me calling you a couch burning, toothless hillbilly. Most USF fans are good sports and treat other fans well (at least my experience is we've gotten much better over the years). No one I know would condone what you accuse USF fans of doing to you.

Jason is right...I was in Morgantown last year, and your fans (mainly students) were throwing ice/snow balls at our team, fans and even our cheerleaders (real manly). The WVU police did a pretty good job at escorting those idiots out of the stadium, and some WVU fans actually pointed out some idiots, which showed class.

WVU certainly stuffs their smaller stadium better, and has more rabid fans. But there is virtually NOTHING else competing for WVU fans' interest. In Tampa, we have FSU, UM, UCF, FSU, etc. fans, and pro teams...not to mention lots of other activities. My wife is from WV, and my in-laws still live there. You can't throw a rock blind without hitting something with a WVU logo. The state is "ate up with 'Eers". That's awesome. We don't have that captive audience.

So, I've been to the last 5 WVU-USF games, and tend to agree that, IN GENERAL, WVU fans are more civil. But the gap is narrowing, and the bulk of fans want good good football, and will recalibrate other USF fans acting like thugs.

If your car was abused, I trust you reported it to the authorities. I apologize on behalf of USF fans & alum if that happened. But that's not typical here. Good luck the rest of the year...see you in Mo-town next year. GO BULLS!

[Ike Kaanga]

What a wuss. So RU tried 2 passes in a 6 minute drive ... maybe they were trying to give USF a break because the Bulls sure couldn't stop Martinek running the ball on that drive. The play by play looks OK to me --

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/playbyplay?gameId=283200058&period=4

[Tony]

RU fan here and frankly, last year's game was a blow out that should never have happened. USF's defense just couldn't make the plays. A few good tackles and that final score doesn't look as bad. We have the makings of a good rivalry here, and I want this game to be entertaining and close (good tv and good for voters). I think USF has too much talent to let a game like last season happen again. Best of luck to both teams.

[USFMikeB]

I talked with several WVU fans when I was flying back to DC on Sunday, and none of them described their visit to RayJay as being anything other than a great time. None of the people I talked with had any issues with USF fans, and said they love being able to come to FL for a game every other year.

Haven't seen anything online whatsoever about vehicles being spray painted at the game...

[Jason McDowell]

John McKenzie, I was on the field for the USF/WVU game last year and I was sworn at and had snow/ice balls hurled at me from the stands--talk about classless! I'm sorry you had a bad experience in Tampa, but there are idiot fans no matter where you go...I hope for your sake you never attend a game in Philly! Go Bulls!

[David Weber]

John McKenzie, I agree that we aren't the classiest in the game, but you can't tell me that WVU fans have never been out of hand.

Instead of being motivated by Rutgers' destruction of us, the coaches should pay attention to what lost that game. I'll give them a hint- it's the same thing that lost us the Pitt game. Terrible offensive gameplanning, an inability to deal with a big offensive line, and a general malaise that fell over the whole team, leading to penalties and brain farts.

It looked we temporarily abated the problems in offensive strategy and mental preparedness against WVU, but I'm not very optimistic about going up to Rutgers. That it's on a Thursday only exacerbates the problem. I'm hoping Canales continues to allow BJ to go down field. That's the key to the offense. On defense, Tresey needs to figure out a blitz package that will work. Savage needs to be hit around, and Rutgers' offensive line is similar to Pitt's. And we didn't touch Bill Stull all game. So everything from the Pitt game needs to be thrown out the window. Tresey should just copy down the strategy Cincy used last year and use it.

[Matt]

John McKenzie, Show some proof or else you're just libeling the fanbase because your team didn't show up last Friday

[rb]

BA

Think i'd rather wake up in Piscataway than Tampa. Check crime rate in both cities. Much better in Piscataway.

[John McKenzie]

WVU fan here that attended the USF/WVU game last week . . . . . . . . I know you guys are new to big time football and your fans proved it. Not only was there NOT many of you fans in the seats (WOW - did WV fan show up or what_ but the USF fans that did were HORRIBLE - rude, ignorant, bad language, etc. etc. HOWEVER, I WRITE THIS TO SAY HOW UPSET I WAS WITH THE USF INDIVIDUALS THAT SPRAY PAINTED ALL THE WVU CARS. That, my friends is what thru us WVU fans for a loop. I've been to MANY MANY stadiums and have NEVER had that treatment. I'm sure this will ignite the low life USF fans out there with a smile but I'm telling you, there are thousands of WV fans who attended that game that won't be back - why waste our $ and have that treatment. Unfortuntely, I'm not going to offer paybacks if you come to Morgantown - I would want you to enjoy the game and the environment. Sad really it was to be in Tampa last Friday night. LET'S GO MOUNTAINEERS!

[JP Sienicki]

I'm not one for over-analyzing and trying to find that "compelling storyline," but I think that this game comes down to which rising star, freshman quarterback plays like a veteran and finds a way to deliver the W.

[Doitonemoretime]

Don't get beat deep is all USF needs to do and the rest should take care of itself. RU has a decent Oline so the LB's are going to have to play big. If ever there was a season the Bulls can win it's this one. Last few years RU has had NFL talent at the skill positions. This year they are young and USF should take advantage.

[Tom]

The won't win in the cold weather of the northeast..

[USFShep]

Pile up the penalties and turnovers and it's another L.

Posted by: Dave Glaser
_______________________________

Exactly! Zero turnovers and 25 yards or less of penalties and Bulls win the game.

No such thing as running the score up! Win the game and score as many points as possible! I think Bulls win this one.

[Dave Glaser]

Schiano uses USF's over-aggressiveness against it. That's why the Bulls struggle against Rutgers. Play a disciplined game the way they did against WVU and it's a win. Pile up the penalties and turnovers and it's another L.

[Steve Stacy]

I have hated Rutgers ever since Schiano (sporting white socks) cried to the refs on the Tyrone MacKenzie fumble-return-touchdown-penalty debacle when we were ranked number 2 in the world.

Go Bulls.
\m/

[Steve O'Neal]

Wow, jupiter that was quite a graphic description! The only problem with your analogy is that the person getting beaten at the bar may well have deserved to be kicked while on the floor. A few come to mind! Good post though and hope the Bulls are up to the task at hand, getting the victory at RU!

[Bill B.]

It was the last 3 years RU has stopped us. In each game there was more meaning than just a loss. The BE title, BCS bowl, or even a good bowl (last year ST. Pete). The season is defined by how we play RU.

[Pierre Roche]

Enough of the talk. Rutgers has owned us the past couple of years and we need to prove that we can win a Conf game on the road. Go up to NJ with a strong game plan. Coach smart, Play smart and Execute. Save the emotions, talking and celebrating until after the game. Our D is supposed to shut down their freshman QB and we are supposed to be better than Rutgers - so we shouldn't be so emotional on the field if we get a sack, INT or big offensive play.
Gut check game for CJL and the team.

[USFMikeB]

Gotta agree with Bill B on this. One of our weaknesses this year has been in second half adjustments, and that's an area where Schiano does a decent job. If we don't adjust our game, this is going to be the fourth loss in a row to Rutgirls.

[Jupiter Bull]

The Bulletin Board worry is over rated. Both 6-2 teams NEED this win, and don't need a blog quote to get them pumped. Besides, he didn't say we WOULD win...that'd "it would be nice to come away with a win". That'll hardly send them into a tizzy.

RU played Pitt tight, and they are at home. I suspect RU will be 3.5 pt favorites. They will look to get into our players' heads & prove they own us. If they get early, I worry @ our team's confidence & CLJ's adjustments (or lack thereof).

Our team better be prepared to take advantages if RU's weaknesses, come out with high energy & intensity, get after the frosh QB and put it to RU for 60 minutes.

I have no issue with Williams being irked. Yes, you should stop them. But throwing on you when up 4 TD, late in the 4th, is akin to getting beat up in bar, and having the guy kick you as you lay stunned in your blood & beer...yes, you should defend yourself, but maybe you're just dead. RU could've run the ball with success, and milked the clock (like we should've done at UCF last year). But they opted to try to run up the score, and succeeded. Hopefully our team is still embarrassed by that, and returns the favor. It won't be easy, but I am confident that if we bring it all, we will win the game, crush Lville then get up for the huge game with UM.

GO BULLS!

[Steve O'Neal]

I've always thought the desire to be better than your opponent, to be victorious in any competition was motivation enough. Don't like a team beating you or running up the score.......STOP THEM! This next game is important for the Bulls to win and take another step towards building a better program. Beating WVU stopped the midseason meltdown. Beat RU and we stop the trend of them having our number. Beating them on a Thursday night would help change the fact that we can't play well on thursday nights. Stay focused and play like we did against WVU and we should be victorious. Win this game and it should set the Bulls up for a strong finish. Finish the season strong and the recruiting will continue to be strong like this last class and the FB program will improve. Lose........I don't even want to think about it! GO BULLS BEAT Rutgers!!

[gobulls32]

The '07 game was a nightmare. Schiano destroyed CJL in that game. Everyone and their mother new the fakes were coming. Everyone but Leavitt.
Schiano is a bit egotistical. He will run up scores without thinking twice. I'm sure part of his thought process for doing it last year was recruiting. He recruits big time in Fl. He's been known to throw up some billboards in south Fl.
We definitely need some Thur night revenge. I would love to absolutely demolish them. Beginning to hate them more than I do L'ville.

[Bill B.]

The only hope USF has is if the coaches gain insight on how to coach. Each of the loses were because we were out coached. CJL needs to remember Schiano is two things, a whiner and a gamer. I don't believe he is a good gamer but good enough to cause problems if CJL does not adjust. Win this game and the bowl committees will take a closer look at us. We traveled well to FSU game. Can you imagine a rematch of FSU and USF in the Mieneke? I know get another cup of coffee and leave the Irish out this time.

[Turd Ferguson]

Only losers complain about stuff like what Carlton Williams complained about. Your job is to stop them. Points win the game, and you don't give up until the game is over....All my life, I could never understand the concept of running up the score. The other team needs to stop them from running up the score; if you can't do that, then tough.

Posted by: Pancho | November 04, 2009 at 10:21 PM

---------

Exactly. Spot on.

Glad Carlton Williams is gone.

[BC]

The '07 screw job should have been motivation for last year's game and they came out and embarrassed themselves much like they did two weeks ago at Pitt. They shouldn't need added motivation to get up for a team that's made a habit of making us their b-tch

[Tim]

Bulletin board material never seems to work against Rutgrls. We'll lose this game because we can't stop their offense and we will turn it over.

[BA]

Just win so their ugly, foul-mouthed fans can wake up Friday and still live in Pissacataway, NJ.

Go Bulls!

[Pancho]

Only losers complain about stuff like what Carlton Williams complained about. Your job is to stop them. Points win the game, and you don't give up until the game is over. It is stupid to just run the ball just because you have a big lead. Doing that means that teams can load the box to stop the run; and in that case you just turn the ball over after 3 downs. Why would any team want to punt after 3 downs, only to give the other team a chance to score? All my life, I could never understand the concept of running up the score. The other team needs to stop them from running up the score; if you can't do that, then tough.

Many teams come back after being down a lot, so teams should never stop playing the game. Remember the Colts Bucs game in 2003 where the Bucs were up something like 4 tds in the 4th quarter and lost?

[Rick]

FIU? This year? What's up Ken?

[Ken]

And let's not forget who stole the game we had with FIU and caused us to have to win 7 games this year to get in a bowl game--but for them, we'd already be bowl eligible.

[Rick]

Rutgers is the next big game for us. Win and then get Loui at home before the Miami game. Lose at Rutgers and the BCS will forget about us.

[561]

I like it Greg, keep printing bulletin board material. Anyway to incite the troups!

[Bill]

Joseph said. "We're going to their house, going up to New Jersey to play them, and it would be nice to come away with a W, to embarrass them in front of their home crowd."

Great job giving Rutgers bulletin board material Sabbath.