South Florida Has Big Win, Bigger Loss

The South Florida Bulls got the big win they were looking for Saturday night against Charleston Southern.

They also got a big loss that they couldn't imagine.

The 59-0 win was needed and expected.

The loss of quarterback Matt Grothe was not.

Grothe had his team in front 28-0 with about three minutes left in the first half, and he was about three minutes away from having the rest of the game off.

Then it happened.

On a routine scramble, he was hit and bent backwards. His left knee took the brunt of the force and it resulted in a sprain that could sideline him for next week's FSU game, and perhaps beyond.

How much time Grothe will miss won't be determined until the results come from an MRI.

What happened after Grothe left the game brought some consolation to USF supporters. Backup quarterback B.J. Daniels picked up where Grothe left off and put up great numbers, leading the Bulls to the final impressive number.

Daniels threw for 149 yards and rushed for 105 to spark a 547-yard offensive output.

The Bulls finally clicked on all cylinders, offensively and defensively.

They needed to as they'll travel to Tallahassee for a first-ever meeting with Florida State next Saturday. And all Florida State did to get ready was travel to Utah and put a 54-28 beatdown on No. 7 BYU.

Daniels could well be the starting quarterback for the Bulls in Tallahassee.

"I did my best to not let the team down, to not let Matt (Grothe) down," Daniels said after his impressive performance.

USF coach Jim Leavitt was subdued after the win.

"We did what we're supposed to do. We played with more passion, more emotion and with more focus," he said.

"It was a double-edge sword. I'd give it up to have not lost Matt."

Leavitt reiterated that Grothe's status is unknown. "We won't know until the MRI. But he's special, he's incredible."

Leavitt said he knew Daniels would play well. "We knew B.J. is a great player. We knew that when we recruited him. Right now, B.J. is the guy."

With Grothe standing on the sidelines on crutches, with his left knee in a brace, that became very evident.

"I have kind of a broken heart," Leavitt said. "We'll hope for the best."