Tampa ? Timing can be everything in life. University of South Florida football coach Jim Leavitt’s timing on a decision to change kickers turned out to be a kick in the teeth for Kansas.
Delbert Alvarado, who began the season as a third-year starter, missed three of four field-goal attempts in the opening two weeks of the season. Leavitt had seen enough and replaced him with true freshman Maikon Bonani for Friday night’s Kansas game.
After Nate Allen intercepted Todd Reesing’s 51st pass of the night, Bonani kicked a 43-yard field goal through the uprights as time expired.
“I kept thinking, honestly, when they had the ball, ‘Just make a mistake, make a mistake,”‘ Leavitt said.
A 20-yard rush by KU’s Angus Quigley on a brilliantly called draw play brought the Jayhawks to the 40, putting them close enough to field-goal range to keep pushing the ball down field.
“They ran the ball and got the first down, which might have been a blessing for us because that means they got close enough,” Leavitt said. “They called a timeout, so I knew they’d air it out.”
South Florida quarterback Matt Grothe shook off a slow start and finished strong, completing 32 of 45 passes for 338 yards and two touchdowns.
“Matt had a great game,” Leavitt said. “He threw extremely well. Our offensive line protected longer, and receivers made some really key catches.”
The South Florida defense consistently pressured KU quarterback Todd Reesing, but he scrambled so effectively that he was sacked just twice.
“Our guys battled, and that was really something to see and be part of,” Leavitt said. “I just watched them play and they just did a great job.”
