Georgia Can't Stop The Running Of The Bulls

#36 South Florida – 31
#20 Georgia – 7

ATHENS, Georgia -- It was apparent when WR A.J. Green dropped a pass downfield while wide open on the first series that this would not be the Bulldogs' night. Indeed, QB Matt Grothe and the South Florida defense were unstoppable once again, as they cruised to an easy victory over #20 Georgia in the Sweet 16. Grothe threw for 166 yards and 2 TDs on 9 of 11 passing and added one more TD on the ground, and the Bulls held Georgia to nine yards of offense in the 31-7 win.

QB Logan Gray was stifled, going 2/10 with 26 yards, no TDs, and 3 INTs. South Florida's pass defense may have been surpassed, though, by it run defense, which held the Bulldogs to -17 yards rushing, thanks in part to three sacks. DE George Selvie had another big game, recording five tackles for loss and two sacks.

USF built a big lead by converting four Georgia turnovers into 24 points. They turned an interception by SS John Lejiste on the opening drive of the game into a one yard rushing touchdown by Grothe, then got the ball back on an interception by FS Charlton Sinclair.

Facing a big 4th and 7 from their own 44, USF went for it and Grothe found WR Sterling Griffin over the middle for 29 yards. That set up a 36 yard field goal to give USF a 10-0 lead with :05 remaining in the first half.

The five seconds were more than enough for Georgia, however, as A.J. Green returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, getting the Athens crowd back into it, and giving the Bulldogs some momentum heading into their relaxing halftime showers.

South Florida then took it right back, punching in a 47 yard option run on the opening drive of the third quarter. The Bulls then recovered a fumble to set up a 19 yard touchdown pass to WR Dontavia Bogan, giving them a 24-7 advantage late in the third quarter.

This may have been the first game in which a team employed the tactic of bringing its deep returners up to field the short kickoffs that have become commonplace in Sensationalizationalism. The strategy paid off, as it helped Georgia score a rare kickoff return for touchdown that got them back into the game before halftime. Orange has continued to utilize the strategy in subsequent games, and other coaches have begun emulating it as well.

After most expected an all-Big Ten regional final, instead USF will face #12 Nebraska for a trip to the Final Four.

Stats:
South Florida
QB Matt Grothe – 9/11, 166 yards, 2 TD, 1 rushing TD
DE George Selvie – 5 TFL, 2 sacks
CB Theo Wilson, FS Charlton Sinclair, SS John Sinclair – INT