Carlton Mitchell News

Saturday's forecast for the University of South Florida's game against Connecticut in East Hartford, Conn., calls for a high temperature of 41 degrees and a low of 31, with a 30 percent chance of snow showers.

USF freshman quarterback B.J. Daniels had a feeling of euphoria he had never experienced when the Bulls won at Florida State two months ago in Daniels' first career start.

It was the type of crisp, bright afternoon seemingly custom-made for carpe diem.

Playing for the first time since suffering a high ankle sprain against West Virginia on Oct.

J. HARRIS vs. J. MURPHY The USF secondary has been giving up big passing playsthis season.

TAMPA South Florida WR Carlton Mitchell has looked "OK" in practice this week, Coach Jim Leavitt said.

An SI.com fan survey rates West Virginia as having the rudest fans and UConn as being the most polite.

Unhappy with his team's first-half performance against Louisville, University of South Florida coach Jim Leavitt pulled out an oldie-but-goodie motivational tool at halftime a ' headbutting a helmeted player.

A.J. Love's performance Saturday was a welcome sign for an offense that sputtered last week at Rutgers.

USF will go without top receiver Carlton MItchell for today's home game against Louisville, as the junior isn't dressed out in pregame warmups and will miss a second game due to a high ankle sprain he suffered in USF's win against West Virginia three weeks ago.

USF's offense can look at it this way: There is nowhere to go but up. Coming off the first regular-season shutout in the Bulls' 13-year history and a 159-yard effort against Rutgers that represents a seven-year low, the offense faces a wake-up call Saturday against Louisville.

Line: South Florida by 10 1/2. Series Record: Tied 3-3. Last meeting: Louisville 24-20, 2008.

South Florida not only played Rutgers on Thursday night without its top receiver, Carlton Mitchell , but the Bulls were also without their most experienced offensive lineman.

USF will have to face Rutgers without its top receiver, as junior Carlton Mitchell, who suffered a high ankle sprain in the Bulls' win against West Virginia, won't play Thursday, coach Jim Leavitt said.

Jim Leavitt has called his team's victory over Florida State this season historic, claiming it will remain a vivid memory for his University of South Florida football program.

It's a battle of freshman quarterbacks. Rutgers has Tom Savage, left, a 6-foot-5, 230-pounder who has eight touchdowns and one interception among 168 attempts.

Line: South Florida by 1. Series record: Rutgers leads 3-1. Last meeting: 2008, Rutgers, 49-16. Both teams would become bowl-eligible with a win.

South Florida quarterback B.J. Daniels might be the most explosive QB in the Big East.

A couple of Big East teams gunning for win number seven meet in Piscataway this Thursday, as the 23rd-ranked South Florida Bulls take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett South Florida has plenty of motivation heading into Thursday night's game at Rutgers.