When was usf ranked 2

It could have happened, in sharp contrast to today, when it can't. National media swarmed the USF campus. National Public Radio did a segment on Leavitt and his team. USF merchandise began flying off store shelves. There were skeptics, unabashed and bashed. Alabama coach Nick Saban suggested that several USF defensive players were there only because they hadn't qualified academically for Florida or Florida State.

Against this backdrop, USF went into Rutgers week, or half-week. USF running backs coach Carl Franks struck a note of caution. It's not going to hurt you unless you swallow it. Leavitt refused to discuss the rankings that week, telling media to talk to the players.

Bad move. Then there was the game. All those USF mistakes and missed chances. All those Ray Rice runs for Rutgers. The fake field goal turned Rutgers touchdown. The Bulls, who led in the second quarter, were outplayed, outmuscled, outsmarted and outcoached. Leavitt, for his part, was bonkers, storming up and down the sideline, screaming at officials and his own players. You can still see it on YouTube.

He came unhinged. Hello, America. USF was not ready for its closeup. Rutgers fans stormed their field by the thousands. To order copies of Toronto Star articles, please go to: www. Report an error. Journalistic Standards. About The Star. If you do not yet have a Torstar account, you can create one now it is free Sign In.

Conversations are opinions of our readers and are subject to the Code of Conduct. The Star does not endorse these opinions. More Sports. Top Stories. The Gators would lose, and the Bulls would jump further. It would have been competitive with any football school in America. USF went from 18th to sixth in the human polls. Up seven, the Bulls blocked a yard field goal and took it to the house. Except the refs saw this:. That looks like an illegal forward pass on linebacker Tyron McKenzie.

The USF drive petered out with a missed field goal, and the Bulls went to halftime with a lead. He took a gamble. The Bulls had 10 penalties for 99 yards against Rutgers. But Jackson pushed off on a DB, and the play was called back. On the next play, Grothe was intercepted. It was definitely tough. I think it took a lot of wind out of our sails, and it definitely affected the course of the rest of the season. He just was not good. Four picks, I think he threw. But then they bounced back.

The game in El Paso kicks off just after noon local time. Sneaking over the border to Juarez for a few libations is popular. Like two nights before the game, you shut it down.

Sober or not, the Bulls struggled.