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Grothe, South Florida start Big East slate

Sep 30, 2008 - 2:47 PM Pittsburgh (3-1) at (10) South Florida (5-0), 7:30 pm EDT

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- After a successful start to the campaign against non-conference opponents, Matt Grothe and South Florida kick off the Big East Conference portion of their schedule on Thursday.

Grothe attempts to lead the 10th-ranked Bulls to their ninth consecutive regular-season victory when they host Pittsburgh.

A junior, Grothe has been a major factor in South Florida's success, completing 66 percent of his passes for 1,175 yards and eight touchdowns with two interceptions this season.

Grothe completed 20-of-29 passes for 259 yards and a score during Saturday's 41-10 road win over North Carolina State.

The Bulls (5-0, 0-0 Big East) cannot waste any time celebrating their largest margin of victory against an FBS team this season, because they will be on short rest for the Panthers (3-1, 1-0), who have won three in a row.

LeSean McCoy rushed for 149 yards and LaRod Stephens-Howling had two rushing touchdowns to lead Pittsburgh to a 34-24 triumph over Syracuse on Saturday.

McCoy collected 494 yards from scrimmage - 391 rushing - with five scores this season.

The talented sophomore had 55 rushing yards and three touchdowns last season when the Panthers suffered a 48-37 loss to South Florida on November 24. He also hauled in six catches for 83 yards.

McCoy was outshined in that contest by Grothe and the Bulls' defense, which returned two of its three interceptions for touchdowns. Grothe was efficient passing, completing 17-of-23 attempts for 159 yards, and added an 80-yard TD run.

Pittsburgh and South Florida have played in each of the previous four years, three times as Big East foes, with each club winning twice. The Bulls, who joined the conference in 2005, have won the last two meetings.