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GAME 3 Veterans, defense to carry South Florida South Florida at use 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18 Williams-Brice Stadium TV: None By JIM ROCHE THE GAMECOCK With the departures of Miami and Virginia Tech to the ACC, the University of South Florida football team is getting ready to start its final season in Conference USA before it joins the Big East in 2005. Head coach Jim Leavitt brings his Bulls into the 2004 season with a strong defense and a veteran offensive attack. The Bulls finished the 2003 season 7-4 overall and 5 3 in Conference USA with key wins against Army, 28-0; Louisville, 31-28; and Cincinnati, 24-17. South Florida had slip ups against Alabama, 40-17, and No. 19 TCU, 13-10. South Florida returns nine starters on offense, including senior running back Clenton Crossley. Crossley ran the ball 85 times for 441 yards and four touchdowns in 2003. Leavitt will look to put the ball in Crossley’s hands for short third-down conversions and goal-line situations. Leavitt will start sophomore Pat Julmiste at quarterback despite the return of last year’s starter, senior Ronnie Banks. Leavitt is hoping that Julmiste can improve his 44.1 completion percentage from 2003. Julmiste completed 26 of 59 passes for 402 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions backing up Banks. At receiver, the Bulls will look to senior wide receiver Bruce Gipson who was moved to offense from the cornerback spot to give the receiving corps more speed. On defense, the Bulls are stacked, led by standout sophomore linebacker "Stephen Nicholas who was recently named to the Butkus Award Watch list for 2004. The defensive line is anchored by six-year senior Lee Roy Selmon Jr., who is a small but-speedy end at 5-feet-l 1-inches and 280 pounds. Look for senior defensive end Jason Allen who, at 6-feet-2-inches and 245 pounds, has incredible strength and could start by mid season. In the secondary, the Bulls will start 6-foot, 175-pound senior Javan Camon at free safety. Camon, who sat behind safety graduate J.R. Reed for the past three years, should be an upgrade to the secondary. On special teams, South Florida will rely on senior place kicker Santiago Gramatica. Gramatica, the younger brother of current NFL stars Bill and Martine Gramatica, should improve on his 60 percent field-goal accuracy from 2003. South Florida will open the season on Labor Day at the friendly home confines of Raymond James Stadium against Pittsburgh. This match-up will be South Florida’s first test against a Big East powerhouse. The Bulls will then host Tennessee Tech on Sept. 11, which should be an easy win for USF. The following week the Bulls travel to Columbia to take on the Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. The Gamecocks will be coming off their showdown with Georgia, and South Florida should be USC’s toughest opponent among small schools. South Florida then travels to play TCU away, who they lost to 13-10 last year in a close contest when TCU was nationally ranked. The rematch should dictate how the Bulls’ season could turn out. South Florida should pick up wins at home against Southern Mississippi and Army. The team then travels on the road to play Conference USA opponent Louisville, which should be a tough game. USF then makes a trip to Legion Field on Nov. 3 to play a nationally televised game against UAB. South Florida should beat East Carolina and follow up with a win on the .road against the Cincinnati Bearcats. South Florida finishes up the season against Memphis on Nov. 27. The Bulls will probably contend for the Conference USA championship and could reach a bowl game in early December. SPECIAL TO THE GAMECOCK South Florida sophomore quarterback Pat Julmiste, left, scrambles in a game last season. Julmiste will lead the Bulls into their last season in the Conference USA before moving to the Big East next year. ‘T'fie Tairwaus -1 k ~s f y ^ Located on Northwoods Golf Course ) 1&2 Bedroom Apartments Available Free membership to Body y Masters Gym I Bring in this coupon and receive 9- $1000 ?ei5 I with 10-14 month lease I ^ expires 9/30/04 LwCall for more details! V www.thefairwaysapts.com_