For five years, they have waited.
Now, in another week, the USF Bulls return to the bowls of college football.
USF arrived in Miami Monday to prepare for next Monday’s Miami Beach Bowl, where they will face coach Willie Taggart’s former team, Western Kentucky. The Bulls will be tested by Western quarterback Brandan Doughty.
It will be the seventh bowl in which the Bulls have competed.
A ranking of the first six.
1. 2008 St. Petersburg Bowl: USF had it’s biggest win, beating Memphis 41-14 in the first-ever St. Petersburg Bowl. The Bulls finished the season 7-5, one game better than Memphis. Matt Groethe threw for three touchdowns to win the MVP award.
2. 2009 International Bowl: Jim Leavitt’s last bowl victory with the Bulls was a comfortable 27-3 win over Northern Illinois. Mike Ford ran for 207 yards to lead the Bulls in his finest game at the school. It was the last International Bowl, which was held in Toronto.
3. 2006 Papa John’s Bowl: USF won its first bowl game, beating East Carolina 24-7. It was interesting that the game pitted then-coach Jim Leavitt against future head coach Skip Holtz. Ben Williams scored two touchdowns and won MVP.
4. 2010 Meineke Bowl: B.J. Daniels was the USF MVP in the only bowl game won by Skip Holtz. The Bulls beat a 6-6 Clemson team to win. The game changed its name to the Belk Bowl afteward.
5. 2005 Meineke Bowl: The Bulls played in their first bowl game, losing a 14-0 decision to North Carolina State. Andre Hall had 114 yards rushing for USF.
6. 2007 Sun Bowl: It was the largest bowl game the Bulls have gone to and the most disappointing. USF was trounced by Oregon, 56-21 even though they entered as a 6 ½ point favorite.
