Turnovers Will Kill You
(September 26, 2000)

Our local football teams, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and South Florida Bulls, proved the age old adage about turnovers. Each would have won its game this past weekend, if it was not for the dreaded turnovers. Lets look at what happened this past weekend, review the season to this point, then take a peek ahead.

The Buccaneers offense had not turned the ball over the first three weeks, however, turnovers hurt them on Sunday. They held an apparently comfortable 17-6 lead late in the game, but allowed two Jets touchdowns in the final two minutes. After New York pulled to within 17-14 on a Vinny Testaverde touchdown pass, a Mike Alstott fumble gave the Jets the ball back at the Bucs 24 yard line with 1:39 remaining. Two plays later, the Jets had a 21-17 lead. There were still 52 seconds left, but a Shawn King fumble ended any hope of a comeback. King also was picked off twice in the game. There were other story lines from the game, such as Keyshawn Johnson only catching one pass for 1 yard against his former teammates and Vinny Testaverde's return to Tampa, but the bottom line is the Bucs lost.

On the opening drive in Waco, Texas Saturday night, South Florida quarterback Marquel Blackwell fumbled the ball away at the Baylor 8 yard line. The Bulls did lead 7-0 after the first quarter, but two fumbles keep them from jumping out to a larger advantage. In the fourth quarter, he also fumbled at the Baylor 29 yard line. It is shame that a record setting night with 368 yards of total offense generated by the sophomore QB was tainted by two fumbles. The Bulls lost a total of four fumbles and the game 28-13. They dominated early and missed a golden opportunity to post the school's first victory over a Division I-A program.

The Bucs were rolling along prior to the loss to the Jets. After winning a squeaker at New England, they rolled over division rivals Chicago (41-0) and Detroit (31-10). For USF, the season opening romp over Jacksonville State (40- 0) was followed by a hard fought loss at Kentucky (27-9). The Bulls defeated James Madison 26-7, before the loss at Baylor.

For the Bucs, a bye week is coming. However, they better get over the disappointing loss to the Jets. Games at Washington and at Minnesota are coming before the Bucs get the week off. The opposition is tough, and these are key games, so we'll see how the Bucs respond.

For the Bulls, a week off is coming. The number one ranked I-AA team in the country, Troy State, is at Raymond James Stadium Saturday night. So far, USF has defeated the two I-AA teams they have faced and lost to the two I-A teams. Troy State will provide a tough test. After that, the Bulls play defending Conference USA champion Mississippi State in Hattiesburg. A really tough test.

The Bucs and Bulls share the same weekend off and some tough challenges before reaching that point.