South Florida Tames Nittany Lions

#36 South Florida – 35
#4 Penn State – 9

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- #36 South Florida wrapped up a TNS tripleheader last Friday night with a shocking upset of #4 Penn State, defeating the Nittany Lions 35-9. Penn State entered the game having won 29 of its last 30 games against current Big East teams, the lone setback coming in 2000 against Pittsburgh.

Happy Valley was rendered miserable, as PSU suffered from several mistakes, bad bounces, and costly penalties from the outset of the 26-point blowout. QB Matt Grothe led the way for the Bulls with 268 total yards and 5 TDs.

Penn State got off to a promising start when they forced and recovered a fumble on USF's first play from scrimmage. They promptly turned it back over, though, on an INT by standout FS Nate Allen. On the ensuing drive, USF threw an incomplete pass on 4th down, only to have the drive resurrected on a roughing the passer penalty. Grothe responded with a 31 yard TD pass to WR Carlton Mitchell on the very next play, and the rout was on.

PSU's next possession was short lived as OLB Kion Wilson stripped HB Evan Royster and DE George Selvie recovered the loose ball for the Bulls, who punched it in with a 26 yard scamper by Grothe. By the time the teams headed into the locker rooms for their refreshing halftime showers, South Florida had built a 28-3 lead.

Prior to the game, Joe Paterno urged his team to come out and be aggressive. "I wanted them to come out and be aggressive," he said after the game. The Nittany Lion pass rush was especially active and, at times, effective in the loss. The strategy may have hurt them in the end however, as they were victimized on several pivotal roughing the passer penalties.

South Florida will be the lone representative of the Big East in the Sweet 16, a stage on which they have yet to appear. They will face #20 Georgia, who advanced following the controversial "blackout game." This will be USF's first game against an SEC opponent since their memorable 26-23 victory at Auburn in 2007.

Stats:
South Florida
QB Matt Grothe – 12/20, 249 yards, 3 TD, 8 rushes, 19 yards, 2 TDs
WR Carlton Mitchell – 4 receptions, 129 yards, 2 TDs
DE Craig Marshall – 2 sacks, TFL
DE George Selvie – 2 sacks, FR
OLB Mion Wilson – FF
FS Nate Allen – INT