USF Finishes Bowl Eligible
(December 5, 2001)

"Hey we're bowl eligible. How about that for a headline?"

University of South Florida head football coach Jim Leavitt is right. Few expected the Bulls to finish their first season in Division I-A with an 8-3 record and bowl eligible status. The program has grown by leaps and bounds and there is much to look forward to.

Five full seasons have gone by since the USF Bulls first took to the field at the old Tampa Stadium. Remember the 80-3 trouncing of Kentucky Wesleyan in that debut game? Remember the 41-13 loss to Elon College and the only losing record in the program's history at 5-6? By year two the team was 8-3 and only lost to well established Division I-AA schools. They just missed out on the playoffs that year and again when they went 7-4 in 1999. The 1999 season also saw the Bulls play a Division I-A team for the first time, a 41-12 loss at San Diego State. Year 2000 was the so-called "Transition Year" to I-A. Losses came at Kentucky, Baylor, Southern Mississippi and Middle Tennessee State. The Bulls won all six home games that year, defeating some very strong I-AA programs. A game at Connecticut was considered the program's first win over a I-A team. A 7-4 record did not prepare fans for the 2001 season.

The Bulls were out scored 36-10 in five losses against Division I-A teams. With eight I-A teams on the schedule, 2001 would be a challenge. USF responded to the test.

The first five games showed the way. As good as 2001 was, there were tough losses at Northern Illinois (20-17) and Memphis (17-9). The game at Pittsburgh, on September 8, was when the USF football program came of age. The Bulls pulled off a 35-26 victory over Pitt and the game was not as close as the score might indicate. There was a convincing 28-10 home win over North Texas who, along with Pittsburgh, is going to a bowl games. A game at Utah was the only blemish on the schedule. USF was manhandled in Salt Lake City 52-21 and the score could have been worse.

The last six games were at home. Wins over Connecticut, Southern Utah, Liberty, Houston, Western Illinois and Utah State made the Bulls 8-3. They went 5-3 against I-A opponents, 3-0 against I-AA teams. They scored 40 or more points in five straight games, something only the Florida Gators had done this season. The Bulls were undefeated at home for the second straight year and are on a thirteen game home winning streak, which is the fourth longest in the nation. The six victories to end the season matched the school record for consecutive wins. Much was accomplished by this team.

Next year, the Division I-AA teams should be off the schedule. The plan is play all I-A opponents, but scheduling may dictate bringing a I-AA team to Tampa. The NCAA has approved a twelve game schedule for 2002 and USF still has a slot or two to fill. Memphis, Northern Illinois, Southern Mississippi and Utah are coming to town. Trips are planned to East Carolina, Eastern Michigan, Houston, North Texas, Oklahoma and Utah State. A couple of games at yet to be determined. Not only is caliber of teams tougher next year, more games are away from home. The Bulls went 1-3 this season on the road and are 6-15 all time on the road.

This is also a team that will return seventeen starters. Almost half of next year's projected starters will be seniors. They will face a difficult test. One more year as a independent and it Conference USA in 2003. The program is moving forward at an amazing rate. Coach Leavitt should have them ready.