The voice of USF Athletics routinely puts down his radio headset and picks up the pen to share his perspective on the history of USF Athletics.  

Louk has been broadcasting games for 29 years and is the resident historian in the Athletics Department hallways. 

By JIM LOUK

Voice of the USF Bulls

The Bulls face UConn for the 10^th time in program history Saturday at Raymond James Stadium, and it might be wise to prepare for another close game. 

USF has won four of the nine previous games, with five being decided by a touchdown or less.  Many have been low scoring affairs, and that's a possibility as well for this weekend.  UConn has the 10^th ranked defense in the nation, even after allowing 40 points its last time out against Syracuse.

One of the key factors in this game will be injuries.  UConn is coming off a bye week; it hasn't played since Friday, Oct. 19.  USF is coming off a physical game against Syracuse that saw more Bulls injured that in any other game in recent memory.

A clear reason why teams like to build depth can be seen at the receiver position for USF.  Not long ago, we were wondering if there were enough footballs to go around for all the talented pass catchers USF had stockpiled.  Now, injuries have claimed Sterling Griffin, Derrick Hopkins, Evan Landi and many more, and the Bulls receiving corps will look a lot different this weekend.  Look for key contributions from Deonte Welch, Terrence Mitchell, and tight ends Sean Price and Mike McFarland.

Expect Demetris Murray and Marcus Shaw to handle the bulk of the running duties with Lindsay Lamar gone.  Lamar, who had rushed for 255 yards in the last two weeks, may be the biggest loss of all for the USF offense after suffering a shoulder injury that will most likely end his USF career.

And youth will be served on the offensive line, with freshmen Thor Jozwiak and Brynjar Gudmundsson expected to fill in for Mark Popek and Danous Estenor.

Defensively, the Bulls are still looking for answers on the defensive line, where Ryne Giddins will be out.  USF will benefit if, as expected, Tevin Mims is able to return to the lineup.

UConn mixes the run and the pass well; almost a 50/50 split.  Although Chandler Whitmer will be its quarterback most of the time, look for the change-up when No. 11 Scott McCummings enters the game as a wildcat option.

Radio coverage begins on 98.7 The Fan in Tampa at 5 p.m. and along the USF-IMG Network at 6 p.m..  Satellite radio coverage of our broadcast is on Sirius 136 and XM 195 this week.  Television is ESPNU.

The home games are dwindling. After this it's a bye week, then trips to Miami and Cincinnati before USF finishes the regular season against Pitt at Raymond James Stadium.  See you at the game Saturday.

GO BULLS!