GAME NOTES: Instate foes square off in Tampa this weekend, as the 19th-ranked Miami-Florida Hurricanes hook up with the South Florida Bulls in non- conference play at Raymond James Stadium.

The Hurricanes wrapped up their successful ACC slate last weekend, as they picked up a 34-16 victory over Duke.

"That was a good win for us today to end up in the season," said head coach Randy Shannon. "It was the last time for the seniors to play at home, so it was a big win. It lets us finish right for the first time in a long time in the ACC. 5-3 is huge for us."

The team's five league wins is the most since Miami went 6-2 in 2005. With an 8-3 overall mark and two games remaining, including a bowl appearance, the Hurricanes have a shot at their first 10-win campaign since going 11-2 in 2003.

As for the Bulls, they too are coming off a victory, prevailing over Louisville, 34-22, last weekend. It was just the second win three games for USF, which improved to 7-3 overall and 4-1 at home. Including a bowl bout, the Bulls have three games remaining and would need to win all three in order to finish with 10 victories for the first time in school history.

USF and Miami have met just one time previously on the gridiron, with the Hurricanes scoring a 27-7 victory at the Orange Bowl in 2005.

Quarterback Jacory Harris overcame a couple of turnovers to throw for 348 yards and a pair of touchdowns, leading Miami past Duke over the weekend. The sophomore quarterback has had good and bad moments for Miami this season. Harris is the first Miami quarterback to go over 3,000 yards passing since Ken Dorsey did so in 2002, but his 17 interceptions are tied for third most in a school history for a single season.

Leonard Hankerson is Harris' go-to-guy through the air, as he leads the squad with 42 catches, 752 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Last weekend, Hankerson turned in a terrific performance, grabbing eight balls for 143 yards and a touchdown in the win over Duke.

"He can get behind guys all the time," stated coach Shannon. "I don't know what his 40 time is but he is always behind people. He has given us a spark in key situations and I think that long touchdown pass was one."

In the backfield, Miami has a variety of options in Graig Cooper (583 yards), Damien Berry (473, eight TDs) and Javarris James (454) and they have helped the Hurricanes to average 135.7 ypg on the ground.

The Hurricanes have done a decent job on the defensive side of the ball this season, as they are limiting opponents to 330.5 total ypg, including only 116.1 ypg on the ground. The unit, though, could stand to make a few more big plays, forcing only 16 turnovers on the campaign.

Last weekend, Miami did show some improvement in the turnover area, as it notched a pair of takeaways, including a 73-yard interception return for a touchdown by Darryl Sharpton in the fourth quarter that sealed the victory over Duke.

"Darryl will go down and get the wind knocked out and bounce right back up and keep going. But the one thing about Darryl is he is a competitor," said coach Shannon.

It was the first interception of the season for Sharpton, who ranks second the squad in tackles with 79, including 12 last weekend.

Quarterback B.J. Daniels put on a show last weekend, totaling 445 yards of offense and three touchdowns in a victory over Louisville. The red-shirt freshman, who was coming off the worst performance of his young career, rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing for 304 yards and another score.

"He feels like he can conquer the world and a lot of times he can," said head coach Jim Leavitt.

Daniels, who stepped in after starter Matt Grothe was lost for the season, has done an outstanding job despite limited experience. He has thrown for 1,529 yards and 11 touchdowns, in addition to leading the team with 671 yards and six scores on the ground.

Moise Plancher added 68 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in last weekend's win, while A.J. Love pulled in four balls for 121 yards. Plancher is second on the club with 461 rushing yards five touchdowns, and Love is also second with 22 catches for 421 yards.

The Bulls' defense was outstanding to start to the season, but has had some issues over the past several weeks, allowing an average of 29.4 ppg over their last five outings. Still, the defense has done a respectable job in holding foes to 128.6 ypg on the ground and 190.6 ypg through the air, while forcing 21 turnovers.

Last weekend, USF put forth a solid effort on defense and held Louisville to 313 total yards, including only 81 rushing. The unit added three sacks and one takeaway and kept Louisville's offense to just two touchdowns.

Kion Wilson headed the charge with 12 tackles, including two for losses, and he continues to be the team's top tackler, with 91 on the campaign.

USF is a sound team all around, but Miami has a few more weapons on offense and that will give it enough of an edge to pull off a win on the road this weekend.