Bulls Preparing For `Different' Panthers

[Guest HowieP1]

Bulls Preparing For `Different' Panthers

Published: Dec 2, 2004

 

TAMPA - Hurricane season officially ended Tuesday, but its affects will linger until Saturday when South Florida hosts Pittsburgh in a game originally scheduled for Labor Day but postponed because of Hurricane Frances.

USF coach Jim Leavitt said there's no advantage in the fact the Bulls focused on the Panthers during their monthlong preseason workouts.

``Both teams are different at this point than they would've been at the beginning,'' he said.

The Bulls'' biggest disadvantage of playing Pitt now is going against game-tested sophomore QB Tyler Palko, who redshirted last year after playing in six games as a backup in 2002.

``If we would've played them at the beginning, he would've had very limited game experience,'' Leavitt said. ``Now, he's had 10 games and has really developed. He's really done an excellent job. He's gotten a lot better through the year. You can really see him progressing. He's an excellent quarterback - runs and throws extremely well.''

Palko has completed 189 of 341 passes (55.4 percent) for 2,405 yards this season, with 18 TDs and seven interceptions.

FIESTA BOUND: For the first time in school history, BCS bowl scouts will attend a USF game. Unfortunately, the two Fiesta Bowl scouts at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday are interested only in the Panthers.

Whether they win or lose, the Panthers are guaranteed the Big East's BCS bowl bid, said CollegeBCS.com's Jerry Palm. Pittsburgh is expected to play Utah in the Fiesta Bowl. USF was eliminated from bowl contention with Saturday's loss to Memphis.

INJURY UPDATE: Senior DT Matt Groelinger, out since injuring his thumb Oct. 22 against Louisville, will not play Saturday. Senior DE Cedric Battles (knee), senior K Santiago Gramatica (groin) and junior WR Joe Bain (pelvis) are questionable. Freshman WR Johnny Peyton (sore foot) will play, Leavitt said.

- Gregg Becnel, Brett McMurphy

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