Bulls' 2005 football schedule unfilled

[Guest HowieP1]

Bulls' 2005 football schedule unfilled

By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer

Published November 3, 2004

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With two vacancies remaining on next year's football schedule, athletic director Doug Woolard has been busy making calls, trying to complete USF's first schedule in the Big East.

With four home games and five road games, USF is looking for two more home games in 2005. As recently as Monday, Woolard called Florida Atlantic to see if the Owls would like to come to Tampa.

FAU athletic director Craig Angelos said his up-and-coming program, 6-1 in its fourth season, is already under contract for six road games next fall, making a trip to play USF unlikely. Angelos would like to work out a home-and-home contract between the schools and expects discussions with USF to continue.

"I think we're going to need a home game, too," Angelos said.

Woolard has said his priority in non-conference scheduling is to bring more BCS-conference programs to Raymond James Stadium. Few programs have as strong ties to USF as Arizona, where athletic director Jim Livengood is an old friend and colleague of Woolard's, and first-year coach Mike Stoops worked with USF coach Jim Leavitt from 1992-95 at Kansas State.

Livengood and Woolard spoke a few weeks ago about scheduling a home-and-home series with the Wildcats, but Arizona has its 2005 schedule booked. If the NCAA moves to a 12-game schedule starting in 2006, the Bulls and Wildcats seem like a good match in a few years.

For the Bulls to continue having six home games each season, USF must fill one of the remaining slots with a lesser opponent that will take a paycheck to come to Tampa without requiring a home date in return. Woolard has talked with Florida A&M, and called Florida International about scheduling a game. FIU athletic director Rick Mello said that while Woolard has yet to make an offer, his football team is "absolutely" interested in playing the Bulls.

http://www.sptimes.com/2004/11/03/Sports/Bulls__2005_football_.shtml

[achiever1911]

I talked to Doug Woolard at homecoming and he told me that we were very close to signing Florida A&M for a home game next year. I hope he knew what he was talking about! ;D

[WoolyBully]

Well...that's, I guess, good in a way. I don't particularly care about another IAA game, but at least this one is not quite as obscure as some other options.

[Apis Bull]

BCS teams that have a possible away opening in 2005:

Team (current scheduled games)

LSU (10 games, 4 away)

Michigan (10 games, 4 away)

Mississippi State (9 games, 4 away)

Missouri (10 games, 4 away)

Nebraska (9 games, 4 away)

Oregon State (9 games, 4 away)

South Carolina (10 games, 4 away)

[achiever1911]

Well...that's, I guess, good in a way. I don't particularly care about another IAA game, but at least this one is not quite as obscure as some other options.

Florida A&M has a great band!! ;D

[WoolyBully]

Florida A&M has a great band!! ;D

I'll take your word for it. But honestly...I didn't buy season tickets to sit and listen to trombone players.  IAA is IAA...

[achiever1911]

I'll take your word for it. But honestly...I didn't buy season tickets to sit and listen to trombone players.  IAA is IAA...

I completely understand your reservations. I was a student at Florida A&M before I transferred and graduated from USF. Their band rocks (maybe the Thundering Herd can take a few notes) which will bring out a lot of the Florida A&M alumni to the game. I think it will be a very entertaining game if our AD can seal the deal.

[Velcro]

do they meet scholarship requirements?  just curious

[achiever1911]

do they meet scholarship requirements?  just curious

Not sure, but I would think our AD would have researched this prior to telling me at homecoming that the game was almost a done deal.

[Bullpride08]

I'll take your word for it. But honestly...I didn't buy season tickets to sit and listen to trombone players.  IAA is IAA...

YEAH DUDE, you paid to see some kick ass 1-A games.

Someone call up USCalifornia, when are they trecking to USF.