By Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

South Florida running back DeJuan Green scoots into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Cincinnati Bearcats, victimized all year by mistakes and turnovers, were done in by their own blunders again Friday night.

A fumble, an interception, a blocked field goal attempt and some questionable play-calling added up to a 24-17 double-overtime loss to South Florida at Raymond James Stadium, a loss that probably cost the Bearcats a chance at a fourth straight bowl game.

"This one is a really tough one to swallow," said UC coach Rick Minter. "We had plenty of opportunities to put the game away, and in the end, we let it slip away."

After both teams scored a touchdown in the first overtime period, USF's DeJuan Green broke outside on the first play of the second overtime and bulled his way into the end zone for the deciding points.

UC (4-4, 2-3 Conference USA), then drove to the USF 14, but quarterback Gino Guidugli's pass to running back Richard Hall bounced off Hall's left shoulder and was intercepted by USF's Lee Roy Selmon Jr. to end the game.

"Richard made a really heady play to go out into the flat," Guidugli said. "Unfortunately the ball was bobbled and their guy made a play."

UC missed a chance to win the game in regulation when Chet Ervin's 41-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Huey Whittaker with four seconds to go.

Cincinnati wide receiver Mike Daniels (a Princeton HS grad) heads into the end zone after grabbing a 2-yard pass from quarterback Gino Guidugli during the first quarter. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

The Bearcats were clinging to a 10-7 lead midway through the fourth quarter when Hall fumbled at midfield. USF's Cedric Battles recovered and the Bulls (5-3, 3-2) drove to the UC 5-yard line. But the UC defense stiffened and USF had to settle for a 30-yard Santiago Gramatica field goal with 3:33 left that tied the score at 10.

UC had taken a 10-7 lead late in the third quarter on Ervin's 38-yard field goal.

The Bearcats outgained USF, 330 yards to 268, and held the ball for 40:28 to 25:18 for the Bulls.

USF gained just 1 yard in the first quarter and didn't record its initial first down until backup quarterback Brian Fisher's 5-yard run with 5:36 to go in the first half.

UC scored the only touchdown of the first half on a 2-yard pass from Guidugli to freshman Mike Daniels with eight seconds left in the first quarter. It was the first touchdown reception of Daniels' UC career and Guidugli's first touchdown pass since the Oct. 4 Southern Miss game.

The Bearcats had a chance to score again midway through the second quarter when they had first-and-goal at the USF 6. But on fourth-and-goal from the 1, Minter disdained the field goal and inserted George Murray at quarterback. Murray lost 2 yards on a quarterback keeper, the UC coaches fooling no one with the call.

"I thought we could build on our lead and get more points," Minter said. "It's easy to look back and second guess, but we didn't get it done."

BURNS HOSPITALIZED: UC announced moments before the game that offensive coordinator Rusty Burns, 47, was receiving treatment at a local medical facility. He was expected to remain hospitalized overnight as a precaution.

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E-mail bkoch@enquirer.com