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South Florida trying to shake off sluggish performance

Oct 28, 2008 - 5:12 PM (23) South Florida (6-2) at Cincinnati (5-2), 7:30 pm EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- With two losses in its last three games, South Florida is in danger of dropping out of the top 25 and the Big East Conference race.

The 23rd-ranked Bulls, who are ahead of only Syracuse in the Big East standings, look to regroup Thursday night when they visit Cincinnati.

If South Florida (6-2, 1-2 Big East) is going to get things turned around, its needs to re-establish a running game. The Bulls rushed for just eight yards in last week's 24-20 loss at Louisville after entering the contest averaging 195 yards on the ground.

South Florida also needs to be more disciplined as it was penalized 14 times for 109 yards against Louisville.

Matt Grothe completed 30-of-40 passes for 344 yards and two touchdowns, but the Bulls could not overcome a non-existent running game and their mistakes. Their hopes ended when Grothe was intercepted for the second time at the Cardinals' 27-yard line, allowing Louisville to run out the clock.

Cincinnati (5-2, 1-1) also is looking to rebound after getting embarrassed at home last week by Connecticut, 40-16.

The Bears allowed UConn's Donald Brown, the second-leading rusher in the Football Bowl Subdivision, to run for 150 yards and two touchdowns.

Cincinnati also has issues at quarterback. Tony Pike started for the first time since breaking his left arm against Akron on September 27, but lost the feeling in his left arm and was forced to the bench in the second half. He was replaced by Chazz Anderson, who completed only 9-of-20 for 123 yards and two interceptions.

The Bearcats were 0-for-14 on third down and rushed for only 30 yards.

For the second straight year, South Florida has hit a road block after a strong start as the Bulls started 6-0 last season, only to lose three in a row.

The third loss in that streak was a 38-33 home defeat to Cincinnati in which the Bulls committed eight turnovers, including four interceptions, and allowed 31 points in the first half.

South Florida did recover to win its final three regular-season games and earn a berth in the Sun Bowl.