USF coach hopes for upset at Legion Field By Magen Hughes Senior Sports Reporter August 29, 2003
Stop me if you've heard this one before. Attempt to spread out the offense and try to create an aerial attack that picks apart a secondary and burns defensive backs. Former Alabama head coach Mike Price was ready to install a pass-heavy attack this fall, but current head coach Mike Shula is looking at a more balanced attack instead. So, when Crimson Tide players look at tapes of the South Florida football team, it all seems like d�j� vu. "It seems very similar to Coach Price's offense," sophomore middle linebacker Freddie Roach said. "They are going to try to spread you out and throw the ball. I believe that it will look very similar to the offense from this past spring. When you watch it on film you can compare the two." USF head coach Jim Leavitt came close to being the latest Alabama coach. Just how close? Few know, but athletics director Mal Moore interviewed him. Leavitt was one of the first three interviewed by Moore, well before Shula was considered. Instead, Leavitt stayed in Tampa, undoubtedly lured by an increased salary and the promise of a new football complex. Leavitt is the only coach the Bulls' football team has ever had and was hired at the inception of the program. The Bulls have joined a conference and produced NFL draftees in just seven short years. Leavitt was also a starting sophomore safety for Missouri in 1975 when the Tigers beat a Paul "Bear" Bryant-led Tide team 20-7 at Legion Field. He knows the field, and he knows an upset can happen. To establish a quick tempo, the Bulls run a no-huddle, no-nonsense offense that can easily throw a defense out of sync. "They run a very fast offense, a no-huddle," Alabama defensive coordinator Joe Kines said. "It's a different offense that calls for a lot of different things. It's a faster version of the no-huddle." That is part of what allowed the Bulls to win nine games last season and rank 29th in the nation in scoring offense, while Alabama finished 52nd. Despite South Florida's rushing offense, Alabama players are not worried. "[The no-huddle offense] wasn't a big wrinkle," middle linebacker Freddie Roach said. "We adjusted to it real well. You just have to make a play and get ready to go again." Junior quarterback Ronnie Banks, listed at 6 feet 3 inches and 230 pounds, is at the helm of the Bulls offense and is only the fourth quarterback ever to start for the team. Banks seems to be in good company; his three predecessors have a perfect 3-0 record in their debuts. Banks played in six games last season and completed 11 of 18 pass attempts for 182 yards and a pair of touchdowns. "He's got a bazooka for an arm," Kines said. "He throws short slants and outs as powerful as any quarterbacks we'll see. He has good eyes, a really good arm and a chance to be a premier quarterback." One of Banks' targets will be senior Huey Whitaker, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound senior. The top returning receiver who will play Saturday, he logged 26 catches for 383 yards and three touchdowns.(snip) http://tinyurl.com/lku3 ______________________________________________________ RollTideFan - The University of Alabama Athletics Discussion List "Welcome to RollTideFan! Wear a cup!" To join or leave the list or to make changes to your subscription visit http://listinfo.rolltidefan.net
