Is Wonderful USF Season Over?
(November 26, 2002)

The University of South Florida Bulls surprised everyone by finishing a remarkable 9-2. The success of this football program, in just its sixth season, is nothing short of remarkable. The Bulls finished strong, and still have a shot at a bowl game, but we must thank those who have laid an incredible foundation.

The only defeats this season came at Arkansas and Oklahoma and USF has not lost at home the last three seasons. This year, the Bulls were 3-2 on the road, the first time the school has posted a winning record away from home. Including the big win over Southern Miss, USF went 4-0 against Conference USA teams. Over the last few years, they were 5-2 against C-USA in non-conference games and next year will begin play as a conference team.

South Florida also posted a convincing 29-7 victory over Bowling Green, who was ranked number twenty-five in the coaches poll at the time. This propelled the Bulls into the "Other Receiving Votes" category of both national polls. A 46- 30 win at East Carolina and a season ending 32-14 victory at Houston also highlighted the second half of the season.

Hopefully, we will get a chance to see this talented USF team play again this season. There are several scenarios that could see the Bulls land in a bowl game. The reality is that the Bulls lack of tradition may hurt. Bowl organizers are talking about bending, some would say breaking, their own rules to allow more high profile programs into the final bowl slots. Politics, not merit, are key factors in who gets a bowl bid. Jim Leavitt voiced his opinion on this issue. "If we don't go to a bowl it's a travesty and a hoax. If it doesn't happen, it's an absolute joke. It should be a no-brainer."

If we do not get a chance to see this year's team again, thanks are in order. Thanks to Marquel Blackwell, who went the last six games and 235 attempts without throwing an interception. Blackwell holds just about every USF passing record, and the team record for rushing touchdowns, and deserves plenty of credit for the team's success. Thanks to Kawika Mitchell, the schools all-time leading tackler, who provided leadership on defense. Thanks to Hugh Smith, the school's career receiving leader, for a record breaking season. Thanks to DeAndrew Rubin for all the exciting returns and catches. Thanks to Devin Sanderson for three years of consistent punting. Thanks to Greg Walls, Maurice Tucker, Chris Daley and Ryan Hearn. USF loses fourteen seniors and gratitude to this group has been earned.

One other person deserving thanks is the head coach. Jim Leavitt has done an amazing job building this football program and is a hot commodity on the coaching market. His salary is below average and this needs to be corrected. The school's administration wants to make his contract a priority and let's hope that it works out. The program can survive the lost of a talented senior class. The loss of this great young coach, just as the school begins conference play, would be devastating. Keeping Jim Leavitt continues the progress. Failure to do so, is a major step backwards.

In a couple of weeks, we may be writing about the first bowl bid in school history. But, the odds are that we've seen this group play for the last time. Thanks for a memorable season.