STRENGTHS
In an effort to maximize the skill level of exciting junior signal caller Marquel Blackwell, the Bulls are opening up the attack, figuring to showcase a no-huddle, shotgun attack on occasion. Blackwell, who will remind you of Clemson's Woodrow Dantzler with his multidimensional talents, is a headache for opposing defensive coordinators.
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Bulls at a glance
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2001 schedule
Aug. 30 at Northern Illinois
Sept. 8 at Pittsburgh
Sept. 15 vs. Southern Utah
Sept. 22 at Memphis
Sept. 29 vs. North Texas
Oct. 6 at Utah
Oct. 13 vs. Connecticut
Oct. 27 vs. Liberty
Nov. 3 vs. Houston
Nov. 10 vs. Western Illinois
Nov. 24 vs. Utah St.
2000 results (7-4)
Jacksonville St. W 40-0
at Kentucky L 27-9
James Madison W 26-7
at Baylor L 28-13
Troy St. W 20-10
at Southern Miss L 41-7
Liberty W 44-6
at Connecticut W 21-13
Western Kentucky W 30-24
at Middle Tenn. St. L 45-9
Austin Peay W 59-0
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He'll have four to five options every time he drops back, with junior DeAndrew Rubin the go-to wideout. The 6-0, 181-pounder also excels as a punt/kickoff returner. Hugh Smith, a converted RB and the team's fastest player, will be counted on to take some pressure off Rubin in the pass offense. In the backfield, the Bulls are excited about the present and future prospects of redshirt freshman Clenton Crossley. The 5-10, 212-pounder combines speed with power and figures to have an opportunity for some big runs when they spread the field in a single-back set.
Greg Walls is the potential standout up front along the defensive line, although a major boost could be provided by talented youngster Shurron Pierson. A freshman, the 6-4, 244-pounder is regarded as a top-flight athletic talent who possesses exceptional closing speed off the edge. Even so, linebacking is the focal point, led by junior Kawika Mitchell and senior Anthony Williams. Last year, Mitchell led the Bulls in tackles. By the way, Santiago Gramatica, a right-footed freshman, takes over the kicking duties from his older brother, Bill, who is now with the Arizona Cardinals.
QUESTIONABLE AREAS
While the Bulls are talented at the skill positions -- led by Blackwell, Crossley and Rubin -- everything will fall to pieces if the completely rebuilt offensive line fails to get the job done. Kenyatta Jones, the first pick in the fourth round by the New England Patriots, has moved on (as have three other key performers up front).
Fortunately for the Bulls, RG Jimmy Fitts has a great deal of experience, while OTs Ken Dawson and Mike Snellgrove (a former TE) have also seen some action.
Defensively, the linebacking corps is excellent, but the rest of the stop troop is a major concern, especially the secondary, which was wiped out by graduation. The most notable loss was that of versatile DB and four-year starter Anthony Henry, who was selected by the Cleveland Browns near the top of the fourth round. In fact, the Bulls stole the show early on day two, with Jones, Henry and Gramatica coming off the board one after another.
Overview: The Bulls were 7-4 in their transitional season last year, beating both Connecticut and Troy State, who have moved up to the Division I-A level as well. They also hung tough against Baylor, falling 28-13, and held Kentucky's run-and-shoot attack to just 27 points.
An independent now and also in 2002, the Bulls are set to join Conference USA for the 2003 campaign. This season, the schedule provides some winnable games but also forces the Bulls to take to the road against the likes of Pittsburgh, Memphis and Utah.
Blackwell is an outstanding collegiate QB, but the rebuilt offensive line holds all the cards. Bright young head coach Jim Leavitt -- who began the USF football program in '96 (they didn't start playing until '97) after coordinating the Kansas State defense from 1992 through 1995 -- will have to piece together a defense that lost several key components to graduation.
The critical loss was that of DB Henry. Overall, Leavitt has done a great job developing the personnel base. That's why observers close to the USF program expect the Bulls to be competitive from the get-go when they join Conference USA for the 2003 campaign.
