Receiver Mitchell won't play against Rutgers

USF will have to face Rutgers without its top receiver, as junior Carlton Mitchell, who suffered a high ankle sprain in the Bulls' win against West Virginia, won't play Thursday, coach Jim Leavitt said.

Mitchell has been very limited in practice since the injury, and his absence takes away some of USF's big-play ability. His 542 receiving yards are more than twice his closest teammate, and he leads the team with 29 catches and four touchdown receptions.

"It just means someone else has to step up," offensive coordinator Mike Canales said Monday. "A.J. Love has to step over to that position, guys like (walk-on Jeffrey "Pookie" Wilson) and (Ed) Alcin, guys that have been waiting for their time to step in have to step up and play. We'll use Dontavia Bogan in different positions throughout the week, and he'll be in those positions where Carlton would be playing. Bottom line, someone goes down, someone steps up."

Leavitt also said the backup cornerback Tyson Butler, who injured his knee against West Virginia, has an ACL injury and is done for the rest of the season.

Comments

[politically incorrect]

This is a perfect time for us to get our TE's more involved in the offense. It worked great against the Criminoles and then we stop employing it.
I agree that the deciding factor in this game will be penalties. We have taken way too many against RU the past 3 years-especially in 2007 when we lost in their house.

[bob]

Mitchell's loss hurts but he drops way too many passes. Even the two deep ones he caught against West Virginia looked like he had oven mitts on.

Hopefully Hester is healthy, we need his sure hands more than Mitchell's speed.

[Steve Stacy]

Where's Hester?

[Nathan]

Griffin, Bogan, Love, Hester, Wilson, Richardson...

Not to minimize the loss, but it's not like the Bulls don't have anyone else to throw the ball to. Especially if Busbee can catch this week.

[Sandro]

I hate to see Mitchell not play but he didn't do anything against FSU and we still won the game. Other guys will have to step up and I think we have plenty of guys who can do that.
I don't care how we score points as long as we do it. Whatever works that is the way to go, if it's the deep ball then go with that. Just get a win against this team.

GO BULLS !!!

[Mr. Snrub]

Seems everyone's forgetting Sterling. He's been really good with the long balls this year.

[Bill B.]

It may be too our advantage to have to plan without Mitchell. Rutgers don't have an idea about the other WR. CJL wont be able to rely on what worked with Mitchell out there. So the coaches will make the adjustments.
On the other side, Rutgers has as much to play for as we do. It will be a knock down drag out fight.

[Orlando Bull]

I think Bogan will step up big. Not sure where he has been this year, but he has all of the tools to be a BIG TIME receiver. Time to display them kid.

Canales/BJ have to figure out how to sustain drives, keep the defense rested, and score in a more methodical way. That's not entirely on the receivers (though we can't get a case of stone hands either).

[USFShep]

Tim:
Carlton played against Cinci and he played against Pitt. What did that do for us? It's not one receiver that makes the difference. It's 25 yards or less of penalties and ZERO turnovers that will win this game. BJ can throw the same pass to other receivers and we will be ok. May take a couple more passes instead of the bomb to Carlton but we can still win! Our D plays like they did against WVU we won't need to worry about putting up a bunch of points!

I think the Bulls win this one. It will be a hard battle but we get it done this year.

Go Bulls!

[BC]

Crap to the third, Turd

[JT (Atlanta)]

Crap indeed, Turd.

[Turd Ferguson]

Well, crap.

[JB]

Way to be positive there, Tim!

So we lose a receiver, and our Thursday night game is a lost cause...come on, man...REALLY? Someone will step up. I know the receiving corp has not been big for us 100% of the time this year, and yes, we've needed them to reel a few in that they have been prone to dropping...but I think this game definitely sparked something in them. Those 3 losses in a row, and that humiliating one last year in Tampa...they're fired up. I don't think the loss of 1 receiver (even if he is our leading guy right now) is going to derail the game plan. As we saw at FSU...more than one guy is capable of getting open deep. I expect to see Bogan, Wilson, and maybe even Lamar break some big plays. I know Lamar is a RB...but let's not forget the long one he broke on FSU...and he has wheels...so I know he can get it done.

Like Canales said...one goes down, another must step up. We have the guys who can do it...they just need to DO IT!

[Tim]

seals the deal on another thursday night loss...

[Tyler]

I disagree frank, I believe UM has a pretty good passing game. Probably gonna be one of the better passing teams we will play all season. They have quick receivers and Jacory Harris has an arm. Hopefully a couple of the backups can step up for that game.

[Jupiter Bull]

A few thoughts:
1. I hate the play he got hurt on. The throw in the flat lets DB's race up to make contact while the WR waits for the ball. Yes, if he breaks a tackle, it could be huge, but if it develops slowly, he's dead meat. Which happened here.
2. What @ Theo Wilson? Richardson has shown spark (and drops, sadly). Would love to see the old AJ, who is staring to re-establish himself in the O. Bogan can get deep, and Griffin may get a chance to shine.

And Frank, I wouldn't say we don't face a strong pass offense again. If you've seen UMiami when they're hot, they can throw the deep ball, and have some serious weapons at WR, and a monster (if oft erratic) TE...a basketball player at UM that we'll have trouble guarding.

Time for others to shine...GO BULLS!!

[frank]

How thin are we in the secondary with butler down? Luckily, we do not play a strong pass offense again on our schedule.

[USFShep]

That hurts but glad he is taking time to heal properly. Someone will step up.