JUST NOT RUTGERS: Saturday is an ironic Homecoming game for USF freshman LB Tashon Whitehurst, who backed out of a commitment to Syracuse the week before signing day to choose the Bulls, in part because they were much closer to his Gainesville home. Whitehurst, who turned heads with a blocked punt against Florida State and could be a starter next season, said Orange coach Doug Marrone was understanding when he called about his change but oddly relieved it wasn't another Big East rival that beat him.

"He was excited. Not really excited, but he was happy for me because he thought I was going to say Rutgers," said Whitehurst, whose family will be in attendance Saturday. "He didn't want me to go to Rutgers. He was like, 'That's a great choice for you and I hope you have a good future. That's a good decision for yourself, close to home.' "