South Florida stops No. 20 West Virginia again

By FRED GOODALL, AP Sports Writer Oct 31, 12:48 am EDT

Preview | Box Score | Recap
  • Print

TAMPA, Fla. (AP)—South Florida’s B.J. Daniels gave West Virginia fits with his arm and his feet.

The entertaining redshirt freshman quarterback threw for 232 yards and rushed for 104 more to account for more offense than the 20th-ranked Mountaineers managed as a team in the Bulls’ 30-19 victory Friday night.

Daniels threw for three touchdowns, and the Bulls rebounded from two subpar defensive performances to frustrate West Virginia running back Noel Devine and beat their Big East rival for the third time in four years.

The Bulls (6-2, 2-2) allowed 75 points and 887 yards in conference losses to Cincinnati and Pittsburgh the previous two weeks, yet found a way to hold Devine to his lowest rushing total of the season.

In stopping their two-game slide, they hope they have pulled out of a funk that contributed to midseason swoons that also followed promising starts that lifted them into the Top 25 in 2007 and 2008.

“I guess a lot of people doubted us and thought we were going to go down the same patch we did the last two years,” said Daniels, who had 336 yards total offense to West Virginia’s 323. “That was a lot of garbage that our team didn’t listen to.”

West Virginia (6-2, 2-1) drove 80 yards after the opening kickoff to take a 7-0 lead, but never really got into a rhythm offensively.

“There’s some young hurting guys in there, both physically and mentally. And they should be,” West Virginia coach Bill Stewart said. “That was a hard-fought game. I cannot fault our effort.”

Daniels threw TD passes of 49 yards to Carlton Mitchell, 11 yards to A.J. Love and 6 yards to Sterling Griffin. Eric Schwartz’s third field goal, a 44-yarder 3 minutes into the fourth quarter put the Bulls up 30-19.

Jarrett Brown scored on runs of 3 and 11 yards, however West Virginia’s senior quarterback had sporadic success throwing against a defense geared to stop the run.

Devine, who grew up 2 hours south of Tampa, was limited to 42 yards on 17 carries in what was a homecoming of sorts for him and a number of other Mountaineers from Florida, including Brown and leading receiver Jock Sanders.

Devine entered averaging 130.3 per game—third in the nation—and 89 shy of topping 1,000 for the second straight season.

“We talked a lot about him,” South Florida coach Jim Leavitt said. “We didn’t want to let him get outside—we wanted to keep him hemmed up inside. … He’s such a great back. If he gets out, he’s gone.”

Down two scores in the fourth quarter, the Mountaineers were forced to throw on virtually every down. Brown finished 19 of 32 for 205 yards and one interception, while Devine only carried the ball twice in the fourth quarter.

In a come-from-behind victory over Connecticut last week, the speedy 5-foot-7, 176-pound Devine set up one second-half touchdown with a 62-yard run, then scored the winning TD on a 56-yard burst.

West Virginia was trying to remain unbeaten in the Big East, along with Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. The Mountaineers lost to South Florida in 2006 and 2007 and have lost three of five games overall in the budding rivalry.

Daniels improved to 3-2 since replacing Big East career total offense leader Matt Grothe, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the third week of the season. He kept West Virginia offbalance with his mobility and made some of his biggest throws while scrambling to buy time.

“They were expecting me to run once I got outside the pocket, so a lot of the DB’s had their eyes on me, and our guys got behind them,” Daniels said.

Besides his 49-yard catch for a touchdown, Mitchell nearly scored on a 69-yard reception. Officials ruled he was pushed out of bounds at the West Virginia 9 as he tightroped up the sideline and into the end zone.

Three plays later, Daniels rolled to his right and—looking like a threat to run—found Love wide open for an 11-yard TD pass as the Mountaineers converged on him as he broke containment.

Daniels also had a 45-yard completion to Love and finished 13 of 26 without an interception.

“We haven’t seen a guy like that (this year), but at the same time that’s no excuse for our defense,” West Virginia safety Robert Sands said. “We’ve still got to go out there and make plays. He broke contain too many times, and he burned us.”

Updated Oct 31, 12:48 am EDT
digg del.icio.us
more

Head to Head - Week 9

Team Total Yds Pass Yds Rush Yds First Downs 3rdD% Pen./Yds Turnovers Time of Poss.
West Virginia 323 205 118 20 50.0% 4/31 1 31:12
South Florida 421 232 189 18 40.0% 5/21 0 28:48
NCAAF

58 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. Billy D
    58. Posted by Billy D Tue Nov 3 3:16am EST

    Report Abuse

    1. A good coach destroys teams with less athletic talent.
    2. A good coach has a competitive game and beats a team of equal athletic talent.
    3. And, every now and then, a good coach will beat a team with superior athletic talent.

    Now, let’s turn to Bill Stewart. First, I am excluding the Oklahoma win because that was an RR coached team. The offensive coordinator for RR called the plays in that game and it was the team RR built so as far as I am concerned Stewart gets no credit for the win.

    So far this year, under Stewart, WVU has hardly gotten by teams of lesser athletic talent. None of the games was comfortable blow-outs. The only two teams of equal athletic talent, Auburn, & S. Florida resulted in losses and Auburn has a first year coaching staff..

    Now, I ask you, is Stewart a good coach? A good coach will take his players and beat yours, and take your players and beat his. Stewart is pathetic and it is just a matter of time before we start losing more recruits to schools like Rutgers, Cinci, SFU and Pitt.

    I love my Mountaineers but Stewart was not the right person for the job. I guess we will just have to weather the storm like we did at the end of the Dandy Don reign.
  2. Billy D
    57. Posted by Billy D Tue Nov 3 3:15am EST

    Report Abuse

    1. A good coach destroys teams with less athletic talent.
    2. A good coach has a competitive game and beats a team of equal athletic talent.
    3. And, every now and then, a good coach will beat a team with superior athletic talent.

    Now, let’s turn to Bill Stewart. First, I am excluding the Oklahoma win because that was an RR coached team. The offensive coordinator for RR called the plays in that game and it was the team RR built so as far as I am concerned Stewart gets no credit for the win.

    So far this year, under Stewart, WVU has hardly gotten by teams of lesser athletic talent. None of the games was comfortable blow-outs. The only two teams of equal athletic talent, Auburn, & S. Florida resulted in losses and Auburn has a first year coaching staff..

    Now, I ask you, is Stewart a good coach? A good coach will take his players and beat yours, and take your players and beat his. Stewart is pathetic and it is just a matter of time before we start losing more recruits to schools like Rutgers, Cinci, SFU and Pitt.

    I love my Mountaineers but Stewart was not the right person for the job. I guess we will just have to weather the storm like we did at the end of the Dandy Don reign.
  3. Todd P
    56. Posted by Todd P Mon Nov 2 6:30am EST

    Report Abuse

    Dear Coach Bill Stewart,

    You suck.

    Signed, 'Eer Nation
  4. Todd P
    55. Posted by Todd P Mon Nov 2 6:30am EST

    Report Abuse

    Dear Coach Bill Stewart,

    You suck.

    Signed, 'Eer Nation
  5. Greg
    54. Posted by Greg Sun Nov 1 11:01am EST

    Report Abuse

    Go bulls,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Thank God, they put WVU in there place
  6. truthteller
    53. Posted by truthteller Sun Nov 1 9:43am EST

    Report Abuse

    WV defense found out what it is like to play against Pat White or a Major Harris. The play is never over until it is over.

    To those who think Big East football is a joke, you have to realize they are 12-4 in bowl games over the past 3 years...that isn't a joke.

    What amazes me is how fans think there is some team out there in the college ranks playing at a pro level and can walk away from every team for a full season. There are upsets every week even amongst the top teams that every voter says is a top 5 team. Truth is, these teams aren't all that far apart from each other and just a few minor mistakes or bonus luck can change the outcome of the game.

    College football is more exciting today than pro football. In college, every game has meaning and there may be no "second chance" if your team blows a game. In the pros, no single game is that important as long as the rest of them go well and you get to the playoffs. Ok, that is what makes pro football so exciting. Your team probably isn't out of it until very late in the season. Even a wild card team can hit a hot streak and win the Superbowl. You have to decide do you like the excitement of having your season blown early but every single game being meaningful or do you want to wait till the end.
  7. papa
    52. Posted by papa Sat Oct 31 9:47pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Why not throw out schedules all together, and let conferences play in own league for first 3 games, then after 3 games, top 3 teams in each league, play top 3 teams in other conferences. Big East SEC /Big 10 Acc/ Big 12 pac 10 in game, or better yet, the top ranked of those teams, play each other, If SEC team has top ranked team after 3 games, then have them play the highest rated team in NEXT conference, and so on,,, It would put a end to who is best, and stop all this. Game 5 play another league game, game six, play top rated teams against each other in any league, not always these leagues, IF notre dame has high ranked team, let them play the highest rated team next to them. BUT, you have to let the TOP rated teams in each conference play top rated teams in other conferences, in order to make it fair. Since some teams get votes no matter how good they may or may not be, JUST BY NAME, and some teams get no votes, even though good, this way, leagues have chance to show if they are worthy or not. Play last game this way too. That way, we would know who should actually play in bowl games for national championship game...

    It would be very easy to do, just have each ranked team, play the next ranked team closest to them. All the way down to bottom. Does not have to be just top three, but was saying, make sure the top THREE out of each major conference, play each other.
    THINK, REALLY think here, HOW exciting this would be... Man, having number one through 18 play each other 3 times a year... number one and two, three times a year... This would prove who was good... Make sure same teams would not play each other. But this would really ad excitement and stop all this bickering about conferences, and what is fair. Let the computers do the scoring, based on stats, and who beat who etc... not personal voting. We would still have to live with voting at end, but it would really make for fun and exciting year... YOU would have NO idea who your were going to play, until the week of... NO month to prepare like in bowl games, and think how this would add money to colleges, so they can not complain, bowl committees can not complain, so who is left? ONLY THE COACHES.. Of the conferences who now get the automatic votes they currently get, and do not want to prove it on the field...
    IF the BCS will not do a playoff, then take the playoffs to them. THROW out the current schedule, and play it this way, UNLESS your league does not have the guts...
    Stop this playing university of the blind... Good grief, put excitement back in college football and take politics out of it...
    Now, who is for this...
    VOTE...

    WV fan
  8. Rick P.
    51. Posted by Rick P. Sat Oct 31 8:11pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    They tried to give that game to WV. Still lost.
  9. Haywood Osublowme
    50. Posted by Haywood Osublowme Sat Oct 31 7:22pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Love how the scrub WV fans hate on michigan so much when they haven't played UM in living memory. Sorry your coach bailed on you but WV is a never has been. Atleast michigan has nice facilities even though they suck.
  10. Steve
    49. Posted by Steve Sat Oct 31 2:54pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    First off.. Congrats to USF on their win... As a WVU guy, I try and see them on TV as they appear... Since I live in So Cal, I don't get back to Morgantown often... So, here's the deal... Quarterback coach!!! Yes, I realize Brown is inexperienced, even thought he's been in the system for awhile... The one thing I never see him do is "look off" DBs... Scan the field.. Don't get me wrong, this kid's a player!!! Unfortunately, his inexperience at times overshadows his physical skills...
  11. Lind
    48. Posted by Lind Sat Oct 31 2:23pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Great win for the USF Bulls, hats off to them on a big win!!!!!!!!
  12. USF Alum
    47. Posted by USF Alum Sat Oct 31 11:44am EDT

    Report Abuse

    We'd like to thank you all for watching the B.J. Daniels show. You can catch another episode on Thursday November 12th at 7:30PM ET live from Piscataway, NJ. And as always, ROLL BULLS!
  13. <i>vargento</i>
    46. Posted by vargento Sat Oct 31 11:43am EDT

    Report Abuse

    I have been a WVU fan all my life (37 years), even graduated from there. WVU will never compete for a national championship when they can't beat a terrible team on the road. Auburn and S. Florida are not that good and not to be able to stop a freshman is horrible.
  14. <i>mephisto773666</i>
    45. Posted by mephisto773666 Sat Oct 31 11:00am EDT

    Report Abuse

    All I know is that Carlton Mitchell scored on that play where he was called out at the 9. He never came within more than a few inches of the sideline. I'm not a USF fan, but I think Mitchell should have gotten credit for the play he made.
  15. Thomas
    44. Posted by Thomas Sat Oct 31 10:52am EDT

    Report Abuse

    I have been a WVU football fan since 1956. I agree with the posting 100% we need a big time coach. I think Brown would be a better running back or receiver than a quarterback. Look at the college teams that are useing freshman quarterbacks and winning. Dare I say South Flordia. Or we too spoilt by Pat White?That psaa defence last night was really bad
  16. GaOwl
    43. Posted by GaOwl Sat Oct 31 10:46am EDT

    Report Abuse

    I do have a problem with any "business" related to academics that has 11 members but still calls itself the Big 10!
    Too cheap to aford a new logo and letterhead, too "tradional', or just want to appear stupid, uneducated and set a poor example?
  17. Bawdyyy
    42. Posted by Bawdyyy Sat Oct 31 10:13am EDT

    Report Abuse

    WVU needs a coach and a quarterback before they can compete!
  18. nailit
    41. Posted by nailit Sat Oct 31 10:01am EDT

    Report Abuse

    penn state would be a good fit , for the big east that is where they should be not the big ten.should be called the big eleven
  19. optical c
    40. Posted by optical c Sat Oct 31 9:41am EDT

    Report Abuse

    As i watched the WVU - USF game last night I found my self wondering......(1) Why are WVU defensive backs constantly getting burned?...Tandy got burned 3 times actually.....usually its Hogan....can WVU not recuit DBs....additionally...where were the safeties on these plays.....again...we were beaten by the pass as so many other times we are....where is the pass defense....and where is the coaching.....the 3-3-5 does not put pressure on the quarterback......where is all the blitzing??. The other point i would like to make is why the heck is Jarrett Brown still quarterbacking......the coaches talked about N-S football and passing downfield.......yeah...Brown can throw it 70 yards.....but he has no touch......time after time he overthrows wide open receivers......Selvie actually should have had a int..on that little screen play.....and Brown will turn it over every game.....usually in crucial situations.....the season is a wash now.....back to 7-4....8-3 seasons.....which to some is successful....like the coaches.....Stewart was quoted as saying he could not fault the effort......Stewart....WE LOST......bottom line.....all the other coaches talk about what a good guy Stewart is....and rightfully so..they want him to always be the WVU coach....so they can win....again back to the old days...7-4....8-3.....what a shame.
  20. <i>gpearlman53</i>
    39. Posted by gpearlman53 Sat Oct 31 9:20am EDT

    Report Abuse

    i was sure that south florida would lose , because they always lose at this point in the season, but i like that qb. i believe he will be much better that grothe, he runs like a running back but also he can pass that ball pretty accurate. maybe south florida can do a turnaround here after this game and continue to win and get a shot at a good bowl game.
  21. Johnny T
    38. Posted by Johnny T Sat Oct 31 8:03am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Please...Before we lose all our good recruits....PLEASE GET SOME DECENT COACHES! Our defensive coordinator is a joke...They do not know what they are doing What they are doing is bringing our football DOWN! It used to be fun to watch the Mountaineers Not any more We loved Pat White ...but he gone so for God sakes PLease send Bill back to New Martinsville. After all he's the reason Bill got the job! Casteel needs to go with him...his pass defense is the worst I have seen in my 57 years!!!
  22. GaOwl
    37. Posted by GaOwl Sat Oct 31 6:57am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Big East is good but too small, three ranked teams out of eight is not bad. They need 4 more teams and to add a conference championship game. Add UCF, FAU, Temple and East Carolina and you get quality with some big markets too. Would have three schools in FL to take a bite out of SEC, ACC recruiting and fan base. Big TV markets in south and central Fl and Philly and all good geographic fits too for travel expenses too. EC helps compete with ACC recruiting and fans too. ND would be huge but that ain't gonna ever happen.
  23. Brian W
    36. Posted by Brian W Sat Oct 31 6:52am EDT

    Report Abuse

    36. Posted by RobertR - I agree with you! I watched the game last night and it was one of the better games I've watched so far this year! I have seen West Virginia play this year but was the first chance I had to see South Florida and I have to say they looked impressive. Their QB had a great game. They should give Miami, FL all they can handle in a couple weeks! I hope that game is on TV. I do think West Virginia was out-coached. Bill Stewart did not do a very good job of coaching. Not trying for a field goal and getting the 3 points when they had the chance, then keeping the ball out of the hands of your best offensive weapon, Noel Devine for the last 5 or 6 minutes made no sense! Still a good game though! Congrats to the Bulls!!
  24. Brian W
    35. Posted by Brian W Sat Oct 31 6:38am EDT

    Report Abuse

    23. Posted by jimm - yada, yada, yada!! The SEC and all its fans have been hearing this crap for years but continue to WIN! 5 out of 10 BCS National Championships in which the SEC is 5 - 0. Comparing scheduling; Texas has 3 patsies on their schedule - LA Monroe, UTEP and UCF are not exactly BCS contenders. Cincy has played teams with a combined record of 22 wins and 24 losses. USC lost to an unranked team and Oregon after losing to Boise State have won the rest of their games against teams with combined records of 21 wins and 23 losses. Right now the SEC has 3 teams in the top 10. Like it or not Dude, the SEC is a tough conference with good teams! If it weren't for the SEC championship game - it would be Florida VS Alabama for the BCS National Championship!
  25. RobertR
    34. Posted by RobertR Sat Oct 31 6:32am EDT

    Report Abuse

    As long as folks keep giving credibility to the polls and the BCS system, the reasons for watching college football keep fading. If you follow the sport to see which conference has the most teams in the top 25 or who will play for the farce known as the national championship or if you put one ounce of credibility in the Heisman trophy, then you are missing the essence of the sport. Accept the fact that your team isn't going to win every game. Watching Pat White, Steve Slaton, Noel Devine, and Owen Schmidt the last five years has been a privelege. They didn't win every game and it hurt when they didn't but no fan ever received so much exciting college football just for being a loyal WVU fan. That's all that really matters at the end of the day. For the most part, these young men accomplished great things and remained gentlemen throughout. Go Mountaineers!!!!!
Sign in to post a comment, or sign up for a free account

Upset!

11%
of College Pick’em users chose South Florida to win the game

Did the Yahoo! Sports Experts make the right picks?

Top Performers

 Top Performers
 West Virginia
J. Brown J. Brown, QB
19-32, 205 yds, 1 INT
11 Rush, 39 yds, 2 TDs
 South Florida
B. Daniels B. Daniels, QB
13-26, 232 yds
3 TDs

Conference Scoreboard

NCAAF - Week 9

YAHOO! SPORTS

ALSO ON YAHOO!

THINGS YOU CAN DO

- Site Map - Additional Terms

Copyright © 2009 2009 STATS LLC and The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the STATS/AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of STATS LLC and The Associated Press.