SU Loses to South Florida as #44 is Retired

Saturday, November 12

Syracuse, NY

1:30 p.m. (Homecoming)

Syracuse University

SOUTH FLORIDA

Anthony Smith picked off his sixth pass of the season against USF.

11/12/2005 7:21:02 AM | Football

Head Coach Greg Robinson Press Conference Transcript
Box Score

University of South Florida Quotes
Syracuse Student-Athlete Quotes
Syracuse Notes

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – South Florida defeated the Orange, 27-0, today in front of a homecoming crowd of 40,144. Senior Anthony Smith intercepted his sixth past of the season to move into third all-time at SU, and the historic #44 was raised to the rafters in a special halftime ceremony.

A white jersey with a blue 44 was raised in the southwest corner of the Carrier Dome at halftime. Orange legends Jim Brown and Floyd Little addressed the crowd at the half, with Ernie Davis’ mother, Marie Fleming looking on. Rob Konrad, Michael Owens, Bill Schoonover, and Tom Stephens joined Brown, Little, and Fleming, and posed behind Davis’ 1961 Heisman Trophy to conclude the ceremony.

Sophomore Dowayne Davis led SU with 10 tackles, including seven solo, and a pair of pass break ups. Seniors Tommy Harris and James Wyche both had nine stops and one tackle for a loss. Sophomore Jameel McClain recorded his first career sack in the second quarter.

South Florida running back Andre Hall became the all-time rushing leader in Bulls history. His 222-yard performance on 24 carries gives him 2,345 yards in his career.

South Florida received the ball first, and wasted no time getting down the field. Starting from its own 20-yard line, Hall scampered for 38 yards on the first play from scrimmage. A screen pass and four more rushes gained another pair of first downs. The Bulls’ drive halted at the 12-yard line, and Kyle Bronson hit a 29-yard field goal to put USF up 3-0 with 9:54 left in the first quarter.

On SU’s ensuing drive, sophomore Joe Fields was picked off by Johnnie Jones at the USF 43-yard line. The Bulls struck quickly and completed a 48-yard pass to Marcus Edwards down to the SU four-yard line. Hall was able to push through the line from there to put the Bulls up 10-0.

The two teams traded possessions, and South Florida had the ball inside its own 20-yard line. On third-and-10, quarterback Pat Julmiste dropped back and threw a pass down field, but Smith jumped in front of the receiver and brought down his sixth interception of the season. SU was unable to capitalize on the turnover, and was forced to punt.

On the ensuing drive, USF started on its own 21-yard line. On second-and-25, Hall rushed for a first down, and a late hit penalty advanced the ball to the SU 46. Hall dashed for another 23-yard run to move the ball to the 13-yard line. On the next play, Hall got the ball again and brought it to the three-yard line for a first-and-goal. The Orange defense held up, and Bronson made a 23-yard field goal to put South Florida ahead 13-0 heading into the locker room.

SU moved the ball to midfield in the opening drive of the second half, but it was forced to punt after a USF stop. The Bulls took over on its own 47-yard line. A 20-yard completion to Johnny Peyton brought the ball to the SU 33. On the next play, Hall broke free down the right sideline and scored to put USF up, 20-0, with eight minutes left in the third period.

USF scored its last touchdown of the game with 4:22 left in the fourth quarter. Ricky Ponton rushed for a first down and another late hit call moved the ball to the SU 38-yard line. Hall tallied another first down when Hall scampered for 11 more yards. A pair of Hall rushes created a fourth and inches situation in the SU red zone. Julmiste snuck through the line to gain the first down, and another Julmiste keeper brought the ball to the SU two-yard line. Hall finished the drive by busting through the line for his third touchdown of the day.

SU (1-8, 0-6 BIG EAST) is on the road next weekend, Nov. 19, when it travels to South Bend, Ind. for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff at Notre Dame.