GoUSFBulls.com SPring Game Report and Vid

[Brad]

For those that have not gone to GoUSFBulls.com, the story below is there as well as a free Spring Game highlight video clip.

Late Grothe Touchdown Leads White to 7-6 Win in USF Spring Game

TAMPA, FLA. (April 14, 2007) -- After three quarters of scoreless football, quarterback Matt Grothe did what USF fans became accustomed to last season – he led his team from behind and scored with just 1:02 remaining to lead the White to a 7-6 win over the Green in the annual spring game at Raymond  James Stadium before 4,310 fans.

Grothe’s three-yard touchdown run that culminated a 39-yard drive in 2:33, was set up in large part by a 63-yard punt by William Criswell that pinned the Green at its own 11-yard line. After two runs and a sack netted a six-yard loss, Ilia Petrov, who had punted splendidly all night, could only muster a 34-yard effort that set up Grothe and the White team at the Green 39-yard line.

Safety Carlton Williams sealed the White win with an interception on the Green team’s final drive.

Grothe finished 18 of 34 for 179 yards without an interception, while Grant Gregory was 14 of 26 for 154 yards and two interceptions for the Green.

Although Grothe’s scoring run proved the game-winner after Mike Benzer made the extra point, it didn’t completely overshadow some earlier fourth quarter heroics by freshman running back Mike Ford.

Ford gave the Green team a 6-0 lead just 30 seconds into the final quarter when he ran for 51 yards on five carries in a six-play drive that covered 65 yards. The Sarasota High School product finished off the drive with a four-yard scoring run, but his most impressive play came on a 26-yard jaunt that finished with a shoulder drive that knocked safety Louis Gachette to the ground. The Green only came with six points after Petrov missed the PAT.

Ford finished with eight carries for 55 yards and the one touchdown, while redshirt freshman Aston Samuels led the White in rushing with 58 yards on 14 carries. Shawn Cannon added 47 yards on eight runs for the White.

While there was plenty of aggressive defensive play – including a total of 13 sacks – to help account for the low scoring game, the offenses were hampered by a no-contact rule on quarterbacks that led to many early whistles that would not likely have been sacks in true games. Grothe seemed particularly handicapped by the early whistles, but they also hindered Gregory on the Green team.

Gregory was not without his highlights on the night, utilizing redshirt freshman Carlton Mitchell for five catches for 51 yards.

“I think you saw some pretty good things from (Matt Grothe),” Leavitt said. “He didn’t look too banged up tonight. He could have gotten away from some of those tackles. I told the refereed to blow the whistle.

“I thought the guys played with energy and played hard. They played South Florida football tonight. We have some work to do and this summer is going to be huge. But we have a chance to be good next year. We’re getting closer.”

Defensively, Julian Riley, Aaron Harris and Jarriett Buie were each credited with two sacks for the Green, while Sam Miller led the Green unit with eight tackles, including one sack. For the White, sophomore defensive end George Selvie had seven tackles, including three for losses and an interception off a deflected Grant Gregory pass.

“The defense played hard,” Leavitt said. “We have to put our secondary in one group. They missed some tackles and we need to take a good look at them. But they played hard and showed some good things.”

Link

[E.T.]

Was the entire game shown last night ?

[Brad]

YES.

[E.T.]

I would love to see it replayed or sold.

[Buller64]

The entire game is online and free at the press pass.

[E.T.]

Real glad they did this !

Gonna watch it again 2nite  8-)

Go BULLS !!!

[Matt]

ill be watching tonight!

thanks for the info

[E.T.]

Will watch as I fall asleep later tonight  ;D

[TexasHoldemFan]

I watched it.  Thanks for the info.

Mike Ford....great vision, great ability to make the first free tackler miss, powerful and enthusiastic.  His teamates seemed genuinely happy for him after he scored.  Dude looks big and intimidating.  He will be a college sensation if he keeps his grades up and doesn't get seriously injured.  I hope Coach lets the best guy (Ford) get 85% of the carries.  He will wear a defense out.

[E.T.]

We definately have more talent at RB this year ... and let's not 4get Plancher. He'll probably get a medical RS and still have 4 years to play.