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© St. Petersburg Times, published September 30, 2001
Rousing start
In the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, America the Beautiful and the Star Spangled Banner were played before Saturday's game. Popular recordings of the songs by Ray Charles and Whitney Houston, respectively, were used. Houston's version came from Super Bowl XXV, in 1991 at old Tampa Stadium, which was played during the Gulf War.
Saturday's game was the first sporting event at Raymond James Stadium since the attacks, and security was tightened. No bags larger than a small purse were allowed, and a list of banned items was passed out in the parking lot.
Sometimes it can be difficult to keep track of USF's injuries. Unlike schools such as Florida and Florida State, the Bulls don't release a weekly injury report, and coach Jim Leavitt is sometimes less than forthcoming. That said, center Alex Herron is the only Bulls regular unable to play because of injury. He is out indefinitely with a sprained knee sustained in practice Sept. 13. Wide receiver DeAndrew Rubin played despite his turf toe injury, and defensive tackle Matt Groelinger, who missed several practice days last week because he was sick, was replaced by Greg Walls in the starting lineup. Running back Vince Brewer, who did not play last weekend because of a bruised shoulder, was available but has slipped on the depth chart.