Volleyball News, Or How My Favorite USF Team Is Doing
by Toro Grande on Sep 6, 2010 10:34 PM EDT
in Volleyball
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Full disclosure: As we've noted here before, we cannot rationally discuss USF Volleyball with any sense of integrity or impartiality. That's because we are complete and shameless shills for this program. They could be caught on video beating up old people for their change purses, and we would still be at the next match yelling our undying support. However, we really do believe everything we're writing below.
After two weekends, it looks like USF Volleyball might be on to something. The Bulls have played a monster schedule over the opening two weekends that will certainly help in the RPI, taking on four teams that played in the NCAA Tournament last year in their first five matches. They come out of that gauntlet at 2-3, including a heartbreaking 5 set loss to #16 Kentucky in Lexington. But with such a young squad, Coach Claire Lessinger and her team now have a much better sense of who they are and what it will take to be successful in BIG EAST play.
USF-Stony Brook Animated Drive Chart
by Ken DeCelles on Sep 6, 2010 4:21 PM EDT
in Football
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Postgame Thoughts: Bulls Throttle Stony Brook 59-14
by Voodoo 5 on Sep 4, 2010 11:48 PM EDT
in Football
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Just imagine what a beating this would have been if the special teams hadn't been so wobbly. All 14 of Stony Brook's points came off short fields set up by mistakes in the punt game -- Faron Hornes muffed his first punt, and then fumbled away the second, at which point he left the game. And after the officials blew an illegal formation call on a punt that USF downed inside the 5, Justin Brockhaus-Kann had to field a low snap on one knee on the rekick, instantly killing the play.
But other than that, the Bulls dominated. They outgained the Seawolves 562-249, forced four interceptions of Michael Coulter, and did pretty much whatever they wanted to do whenever they wanted to. The talent gap was obvious from the first USF offensive snap. B.J. Daniels threw a quick hitch to Dontavia Bogan, and all he had to do was make one man miss and then outrun everyone else to the end zone for a 59-yard touchdown. So even when USF briefly fell behind 14-7, I had no concern that they might actually lose the game. Once the special teams stabilized, it was over.
I'll do some more digging into specific parts of the game tomorrow when I chart everything. But some other quick thoughts:
-- Stony Brook has to find a quarterback with a stronger arm. I tweeted that I thought I could throw a football further than Coulter, and I'm not sure that was a joke. They made themselves one-dimensional because their quarterback may not be able to throw the ball more than 25 or 30 yards down the field. He threw one quick out that hung in the air for what seemed like forever, even though he and the receiver were only about 15 yards apart.
-- It looks like USF got out of the game totally unscathed on the injury front. Daniels gave us all a scare diving headlong into the end zone on USF's first touchdown, but he was OK. And Lindsey Lamar got racked up in the two-minute drill at the end of the first half, although he got back in the game later on. I didn't see anyone else get hurt on the Bulls side during the game.
-- Note to Drew Evangelista, who otherwise had a solid game punting for Stony Brook. When the ball goes over your head and into the end zone, just take the safety. You should not try to punt it with three guys at close range running right at you. This is not advised under any circumstances.
-- For a guy who was a running back a month ago, Joel Miller made a great catch on that touchdown at the end of the first half. That play pretty much iced the game at 31-14 with the Bulls getting the ball out of the locker room.
-- It was fun at the time to see the Bulls score 52 unanswered points. But I feel a little guilty. I know they were paid well for their time, but the Seawolves were just totally outmatched. It must be nearly impossible for them to get the kind of athletes you would need to stay in a game like this. USF was faster and better across the board. On the plus side, it looks like the Bulls' talent level is in the ballpark of where it was the last few years.
-- Yeah, we're going to have a nice highlight reel of the outstanding camera work from that game. Fortunately we get the same crew for the Western Kentucky and FAU games. And was it just me, or did it sound like J.B. Long and Shaun King (who has gained at least 100 pounds since his playing days) weren't even in the stadium?
-- We can now start talking about the Gators, who had an... um... let's say interesting game against Miami University this afternoon. A remotely competent team would have beaten them today. If Florida comes out anywhere near as limp next Saturday as they did this afternoon -- who knows?
USF-Stony Brook Haiku
by Ken DeCelles on Sep 4, 2010 10:31 PM EDT
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EA NCAA Football 11 Simulation - USF vs. Stony Brook
by Voodoo 5 on Sep 4, 2010 4:59 PM EDT
in EA Sports NCAA FB 11
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I set up an NCAA Football 11 dynasty for USF and then got out of the way to let the computer handle the season. (I went ahead and made everyone healthy again because there was no way to remove every player on every team who is hurt to start the season. So that means A.J. Love, Sterling Griffin, and Mark Popek are all in.) Every week I'll "play" the game and then post a recap.
First up, the Bulls played "FCS West" because I didn't change them to "FCS East" before I started the season. It doesn't really matter, though, they're all pretty much the same.
FINAL SCORE - USF 37, STONY BROOK STAND-IN TEAM 13
The game wasn't really as close as the score indicated. Stony Brook/FCS West got 10 of their 13 points off two turnovers - a deflected B.J. Daniels pass that was intercepted in USF territory, and a fumble return for a touchdown. Actually the Bulls were -4 in turnovers, giving it up four times while FCS West/Stony Brook was turnover-free.
Mo Plancher had a huge game, carrying 25 times for 204 yards and three touchdowns, including this 70-yard run on the second play of the game. However, he did lose two fumbles, including the one returned for a score.
Because of all the turnovers and some weird AI-influenced decision making, Stony Brook/FCS West was actually in the game in the third quarter. But down 27-13, they stalled in the USF red zone and then yanked a 28-yard field goal. On their next possession, they tried an ill-advised puntrooskie and failed miserably.
B.J. Daniels was 22-for-29 for 255 yards and two touchdowns, with Dontavia Bogan racking up 8 for 128 and a long touchdown right before halftime. The defense managed 14 tackles for loss, led by four from Keith McCaskill. Overall USF outgained FCS West/Stony Brook 471-236 and limited them to only six yards rushing.
One dim note - A.J. Love tore his pectoral and is out for 12 weeks. He won't be back until the Miami game.
Here's Bogan's touchdown and a monstrous sack by Terrell McClain that briefly knocked the Stony Brook/FCS West quarterback out of the game.
Friday Five Keys - USF vs. Stony Brook
by Voodoo 5 on Sep 3, 2010 7:11 PM EDT
in Football
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The day before each game, we'll share our five keys to the game. This week, here's what we'll be looking for against Stony Brook.
1. Stopping SBU's running game
From what Sam Kilb at The Statesman told us, the strength of the Stony Brook offense is their running game. With Mat Brevi, Stony Brook's top returning receiver, not making the trip due to injury, the Seawolves may have to rely even more on the run to keep them in the game. So there's a good opportunity for USF to begin proving their mettle against the kind of run-oriented teams that have given them so many problems the last few years, especially in Big East play. Getting the Seawolves offense off the field will also play into some of the other keys to the game.
2. Overcoming the excitement, and avoiding the temptation to look ahead to the Gators
Both teams have an excitement factor to contend with. This is the first time Stony Brook has ever played an FBS opponent, and I would guess this will be the biggest crowd they've ever played in front of. And of course it's the first game for USF with Skip Holtz in charge. Whoever can get all that nervous, excited energy out of their system and start playing football first will have an edge.
USF's other problem is that you can't help but look forward to next week's game before you've played this week's game. The same thing happened against Elon to start the 2007 season. USF was clearly looking forward to the game at Auburn the next week, and the Bulls came out flat, only winning 28-13.
3. Start creating identities on the team
Every preview that places USF low in the Big East rankings cites that they lost all these great players. Jason Pierre-Paul, George Selvie, Matt Grothe, Nate Allen, Kion Wilson, Carlton Mitchell - they're all gone. But it's not like there won't be new players taking their place. We just don't know who they are yet. Often people confuse "anonymous" with "bad", and they only change their mind when you have players that they recognize. This is the first chance for someone to step up and get back some of the buzz and the attention that you only seem to get when people know your players.
Who's going to step up at wide receiver, especially with A.J. Love and Sterling Griffin injured? Is anyone going to separate themselves from the crowd at running back? Who will be the next big thing on the USF defense? Can B.J. Daniels take the next step up and become a nationally-known quarterback? It's hard to make a big leap in public perception against an FCS team, but this is where it starts.
4. Get comfortably ahead so the backups can get some much-needed reps
Figuring Stony Brook is likely to run the ball a lot, and knowing USF's weak link on offense is its passing game, this could be a fast, maybe even defensive-oriented game where the Bulls don't have much of a chance to pile up a safe lead. Possessions could be limited and the clock could be almost constantly running. Can USF get far enough ahead of the Seawolves soon enough that they can get some of their young players and second-teams some valuable (and necessary) game experience? The Bulls will need to cash in as many early opportunities as possible to do this.
And this goes without saying, but the earlier you get safely ahead, the earlier you get your star players off the field so they are healthy for the Florida game.
5. How much of next week's game plan do you want to work on in the game?
The eternal argument of "how much do you show the week before a big game." Hopefully the Bulls can work with a relatively easy game plan and not have to use any of what I like to call Billy Barool plays - the ones you go to when you absolutely need something that will work. That might be a play designed to take advantage of a matchup or a scheme, or an exotic blitz or coverage on defense. The more you can take into Gainesville that the Gators haven't seen on film, the more options you have. At the same time, maybe you work on some of next week's game plan anyway, because it's more important to get the execution right in game conditions. The eternal argument.
"15 for 15" The 3rd Greatest Player in USF History is...
by Ken DeCelles on Sep 3, 2010 5:37 PM EDT
in 15 For 15
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Matt Grothe, QB/2006-09
Matt Grothe was the other quarterback in the 2005 recruiting class. Most thought that Carlton Hill was going to be the greatest thing ever at USF, and even then-offensive coordinator Rod Smith thought Grothe should move to safety. After redshirting in 2005, Grothe moved ahead of Hill at QB, and was neck and neck with senior Pat Julmiste on the depth chart. Julmiste started the 2006 opener against McNeese State, but after Pat injured his knee midway through the 2nd quarter, Grothe went in and Pat Julmiste became the USF version of Wally Pipp.
Grothe took over the team, although there wasn't much buzz nationally on what #8 was doing in Tampa. Then, on a sunny November day against Pitt, Matt did this.
1 Day Until USF Football
by Ken DeCelles on Sep 3, 2010 12:57 PM EDT
4 comments
USF kicks off the season at 7:05, and Coach Holtz wants you at RayJay. Question of the Day: What will be the final score tomorrow?
Protect Your Unit Game - Week 1 Picks
by Voodoo 5 on Sep 3, 2010 1:00 AM EDT
in Protect Your Unit Game
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(Remember, these picks are for entertainment only. No actual wagering is being performed.)
At the start of the contest, everyone has $1000 in fake money. Let's go through everyone's fake picks here. Remember, the lines are set based on whatever the lines are at noon on Thursday, so if your picks look a little different than they do when you sent them in, that's why.
We'll start with Hoya Suxa, the Glaude, the live grenade that we tossed into this contest to keep everyone on their toes. Suxa, take it away.
I should probably preface my bets with a bit of disclosure: I don't understand the rules; I intend on winning.
You see, I'm a probably the most pathetic grown-ass man walking the planet. I grew up 15 minutes away from two of the largest casinos in the world and yet I don't know a lick about gambling. Parlays, teasers, proposition bets: You're speaking Greek to me, friend; we're in America, you see, and I like hot dogs, apple pie, and Goddamn winners. The only sophisticated wagering I'm familiar with is "boxing horses," and that's only because I'd really like to see a jockey deck a stallion right in its big freakin' teeth.
This fact, however, will not deter my scorched earth. To raise the stakes even higher, I'm running at this contest like an adolescent to a conversion van filled with candy and a fellow in a mustache. I refuse to take the easy way out and will, therefore, only wager on lines that are 10 points or less. That's how you become a champion, son.
At best, I will end this contest as a fake billionaire. I'll take all my fake money, buy me a fake trophy wife with really fake breasts, and sink my cash in fake investment ventures (like SBNation). At worst, I'll corkscrew Casual Hoya straight into the ground and use their heads as pissing posts for my dog.
Victory is my destiny; simply shitting in Casual Hoya's pillow is my consolation prize.
WAGER ONE: Syracuse at Akron
The Orange Empire -- it's tyrannical; you should totally join it -- is giving 9 on the road to the Zips. Call me crazy, but I think that Syracuse wins by thousands.$100 on the Orange to cover.
WAGER TWO: Maryland at Navy
Toot! Toot! Here comes the triple option ship! It's going to sink Friedgen faster than the Titanic!Navy covers the six. $20 on the Midshipmen.
WAGER THREE: Cincinnati at Fresno State
The Bearcats are getting 2.5 and I want them all, baby! I'm going to take those 2.5, rub them all over my body, and just soak it all in. Yeah, 2.5! Give it to me, 2.5!Anyway, I'll take Cincinnati and put five smackaroos on 'em.
$125 on the line with the bulk of it resting on the hopes of a two-deep that may or may not include me. My confidence is at an all-time high.
Let's move on to Chris Lane of The Nova Blog, who kept it simple with his picks.
USC (-21.5) over Hawaii - 100
UAB (-14) over FAU - 100
Pitt (+3) over Utah - 50
Next, we'll go with Ken's picks, from this blog. You'll notice he's the first person to really veer off into crazy town with his picks. But definitely not the last.
Minnesota -1.5 over MTSU $100
UConn +3 over Michigan $50
Cincy +2.5 over Fresno $50My insane weekly 9 team parlay - Sota -1.5, UConn +3, Cincy +2.5, Oregon State +13.5, Navy -6, Northwestern -4.5, Washington +2, Cuse -9, Clemson -24.5 $25
A lot more picks after the jump.
FOOTBALL FOOTBALL FOOTBALL! - Thursday Night Open Thread
by Ken DeCelles on Sep 2, 2010 8:28 PM EDT
53 comments
Sorry we are a little late with this, but we hope you are enjoying your first taste of football this fall.
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