TAMPA – University of South Florida football coach Jim Leavitt vehemently disagreed with a quote from Alabama coach Nick Saban that claims USF's quick success is because the Bulls have lesser academic standards than other programs. "It's not right [what Saban said], we've done what we've done because we've worked extremely hard," Leavitt said to reporters after today's weekly news conference. In today's Birmingham News, Saban was quoted saying: "The distribution of players is not the same for everybody. There's a significant amount of players who don't qualify [at some schools] and they end up being pretty good players at some other schools. I think there are six guys starting on South Florida's defense who probably could have gone to Florida or Florida State but Florida and Florida State couldn't take them. And if you do a good job of recruiting that way ..." Leavitt disputed Saban's statement. "Of 110 players, we have two nonqualifiers, one starts, one doesn't," Leavitt said. "The Big East doesn't allow nonqualifiers. For a guy to make a mistake like that is not right. "I'm not down on [Saban]. Whoever gave him that information needs to correct it. Certainly this person [Birmingham News reporter Ray Melick], what right does he have to write an article without verifying all the facts. This is why I get disturbed sometimes, because now this article goes out. "It's an absolute wrong to do that." USF senior Mike Jenkins disagreed with Saban's statement, even noting Saban offered Jenkins a full scholarship to LSU when Jenkins was a senior at Bradenton Southeast High School. Ironically, USF freshman running backs Jamar Taylor and Mike Ford both initially signed with Alabama. Taylor enrolled at Alabama in January and was the Tide's leading rusher in the spring game, but transferred to USF over the summer to be closer to his family. ...more

October 2, 2007

University of South Florida athletic director Doug Woolard said he was overwhelmed by the support the school received from the Tampa Bay area. ...more

September 29, 2007

TAMPA - University of South Florida freshmen infielder Tommy Bates and pitcher Michael Franzese were arrested early Friday morning in Ybor City and charged with possession of alcohol by an underage person. ...more

September 28, 2007

TAMPA – University of South Florida C Nick Capogna, who suffered a left knee injury early in the season opener and missed the Bulls' past two games, will play Friday in USF's Big East battle against No. 5 West Virginia, Coach Jim Leavitt said. ...more

September 26, 2007

University of South Florida officials said Tuesday they will require meningitis vaccinations of all students living in their residence halls by next fall. ...more

September 26, 2007

University of South Florida officials said Tuesday that they will require meningitis vaccinations of all students living in their residence halls by next fall. ...more

September 25, 2007

TAMPA - University of South Florida C Nick Capogna, who injured his left knee early in the season opener, practiced Monday, but Coach Jim Leavitt said it's unlikely he will be ready for Friday's Big East opener with No. 5 West Virginia. ...more

September 25, 2007

University of South Florida senior wide receiver Amarri Jackson said it rather matter-of-factly. ...more

September 22, 2007

University of South Florida sophomore LB Chris Robinson, who missed the season opener against Elon and was limited to a few plays at Auburn on Sept. 8 because of an ankle injury, is expected to play Saturday against North Carolina, USF coach Jim Leavitt said. ...more

September 21, 2007

University of South Florida C Nick Capogna, who injured his left knee in the season opener and missed the Auburn game in Week 2, will not play Saturday when the No. 23 Bulls (2-0) host North Carolina (1-2). ...more

September 18, 2007