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Coogs · 02-27-2008, 02:30 PM

Selvie Has Become USF's Grinch
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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 14, 2007

Updated: 10/13/2007 11:55 pm

TAMPA - You have to go pretty far back to find the last time someone got the better of George Selvie, the South Florida defensive end and pass-rushing hellcat who leads the nation in sacks.

Certainly it wasn't Saturday, as Selvie and South Florida annihilated Central Florida, 64-12. How'd this game get on the schedule, anyway?

Saturday was more of the same for the third-year sophomore and All-American candidate, including a true ESPN moment, a lightning-quick strike where Selvie forced a fumble by knocking the ball loose during a handoff exchange. He beat the runner to the quarterback.

That's fast.

'George is the man right now,' Bulls offensive lineman Walter Walker said.

But one night ...

It happened last season during USF's trip to the Papajohns.com Bowl. The Bulls took a trip to a Birmingham comedy club, where a comedian-hypnotist talked some players onto the stage and made them very, very sleepy.

George was one.

'The guy had George pretending to be the Grinch,' USF receiver Taurus Johnson said. You know, the one who stole Christmas. George even wore a little Grinch hat.

'George is up there, slinking around corners, pretending to steal presents,' Johnson said.

'Yes, it happened,' Selvie said. 'I didn't believe it until I saw the film.'

'He's still a Grinch,' Walker said. 'George is making off with all the sacks.'

All-American Season

Six games into a still perfect USF season, with the first BCS standings due out today, and Selvie, undersized, all arms, legs and size 14 feet, is standing tall.

You want yards?

He wants you.

Grinch indeed.

USF has never had a Division I-A All-American. Selvie is on track. He's in everyone's backfield. Saturday, on the game's second play, he had a sack. That's 11 1/2 for the season. He finished with four tackles for loss for 21 1/2 on the season, breaking a USF record. And there's half a season left.

And to think, this kid came from Pensacola as a center.

It's true. Until USF coaches said otherwise, Selvie dreamed of seeing the college football world from between his legs. Now it's at his feet.

'It's good leading the nation in sacks,' Selvie said.

Selvie is a perfect kid for USF coach Jim Leavitt. He doesn't flap his gums and has come from nowhere to the top of the mountain, just like the Bulls.

The 6-foot-4 Selvie doesn't even look like a pass rusher. He weighs 230 pounds. Though he benches 375 pounds, the guys he faces are always bigger.

'There are quarterbacks who weigh more than me,' Selvie said with a grin.

He makes up for that.

'He's explosive and fast,' USF defensive line coach Dan McCarney said.

One more thing.

'He's relentless,' Leavitt said.

'You've got to be relentless,' Selvie said.

It's good being relentless.

He only played one year of defensive line in high school, and then only on third down. He has learned moves from USF teammates and watches guys he likes in the NFL. He has a favorite.

'Dwight Freeney on the Colts,' Selvie said. 'I just like the way he plays. He hit a double move the other night. Wow, I wish I could do that. My legs are kind of long ... I might trip over my feet ... but one day you might see a double spin.'

Selvie made a name late last season in USF's upset at West Virginia with eight tackles and a fumble return for a touchdown. The key to that game, he insists, was West Virginia fans making fun of his mother by name.

'That was it,' Selvie said. 'It was on.'

It still is.

Rutgers Awaits

UCF was no match for the Bulls. The Knights gained only 145 yards, getting only 55 from Kevin Smith, who was the nation's leading rusher.

The order gets taller on Thursday night. USF travels to Rutgers for a nationally televised game, and another look at Rutgers runner Ray Rice, who put 202 yards on USF last season in Tampa.

Rutgers could remake its season with a win over USF. It could steal some headlines from Leavitt's thundering herd.

George Selvie can't wait to watch Rutgers film. The only film he can do without is that hypnotist thing last year.

'I don't need to see that anymore,' Selvie said.

He still has his arms filled with sacks.

It's good to be the Grinch.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

And here is his freshman stats...

2006: Started all 13 games at right end and led all linemen (third overall on team) with 84 tackles, 15 for loss and 5.5 sacks...Eight tackles, including 3.5 for loss, a nine-yard TD recovery and a forced fumble in the WVU (Nov. 25) win...Season-high 10 tackles at Cincinnati (Oct. 22)...Two sacks vs. Florida International (Sept. 9)... Nine tackles in wins over FIU (Sept. 9) and North Carolina (Oct. 14)...USF’s Defensive Rookie of the Year....2005: Used redshirt season...Won USF’s Overachiever Award for his outstanding work in strength and conditioning program.

02-27-2008, 02:30 PM	#8
Coogs In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Northern Kansas Casino cash: $-2265651	Selvie Has Become USF's Grinch ADVERTISEMENT The Tampa Tribune Published: October 14, 2007 Updated: 10/13/2007 11:55 pm TAMPA - You have to go pretty far back to find the last time someone got the better of George Selvie, the South Florida defensive end and pass-rushing hellcat who leads the nation in sacks. Certainly it wasn't Saturday, as Selvie and South Florida annihilated Central Florida, 64-12. How'd this game get on the schedule, anyway? Saturday was more of the same for the third-year sophomore and All-American candidate, including a true ESPN moment, a lightning-quick strike where Selvie forced a fumble by knocking the ball loose during a handoff exchange. He beat the runner to the quarterback. That's fast. 'George is the man right now,' Bulls offensive lineman Walter Walker said. But one night ... It happened last season during USF's trip to the Papajohns.com Bowl. The Bulls took a trip to a Birmingham comedy club, where a comedian-hypnotist talked some players onto the stage and made them very, very sleepy. George was one. 'The guy had George pretending to be the Grinch,' USF receiver Taurus Johnson said. You know, the one who stole Christmas. George even wore a little Grinch hat. 'George is up there, slinking around corners, pretending to steal presents,' Johnson said. 'Yes, it happened,' Selvie said. 'I didn't believe it until I saw the film.' 'He's still a Grinch,' Walker said. 'George is making off with all the sacks.' All-American Season Six games into a still perfect USF season, with the first BCS standings due out today, and Selvie, undersized, all arms, legs and size 14 feet, is standing tall. You want yards? He wants you. Grinch indeed. USF has never had a Division I-A All-American. Selvie is on track. He's in everyone's backfield. Saturday, on the game's second play, he had a sack. That's 11 1/2 for the season. He finished with four tackles for loss for 21 1/2 on the season, breaking a USF record. And there's half a season left. And to think, this kid came from Pensacola as a center. It's true. Until USF coaches said otherwise, Selvie dreamed of seeing the college football world from between his legs. Now it's at his feet. 'It's good leading the nation in sacks,' Selvie said. Selvie is a perfect kid for USF coach Jim Leavitt. He doesn't flap his gums and has come from nowhere to the top of the mountain, just like the Bulls. The 6-foot-4 Selvie doesn't even look like a pass rusher. He weighs 230 pounds. Though he benches 375 pounds, the guys he faces are always bigger. 'There are quarterbacks who weigh more than me,' Selvie said with a grin. He makes up for that. 'He's explosive and fast,' USF defensive line coach Dan McCarney said. One more thing. 'He's relentless,' Leavitt said. 'You've got to be relentless,' Selvie said. It's good being relentless. He only played one year of defensive line in high school, and then only on third down. He has learned moves from USF teammates and watches guys he likes in the NFL. He has a favorite. 'Dwight Freeney on the Colts,' Selvie said. 'I just like the way he plays. He hit a double move the other night. Wow, I wish I could do that. My legs are kind of long ... I might trip over my feet ... but one day you might see a double spin.' Selvie made a name late last season in USF's upset at West Virginia with eight tackles and a fumble return for a touchdown. The key to that game, he insists, was West Virginia fans making fun of his mother by name. 'That was it,' Selvie said. 'It was on.' It still is. Rutgers Awaits UCF was no match for the Bulls. The Knights gained only 145 yards, getting only 55 from Kevin Smith, who was the nation's leading rusher. The order gets taller on Thursday night. USF travels to Rutgers for a nationally televised game, and another look at Rutgers runner Ray Rice, who put 202 yards on USF last season in Tampa. Rutgers could remake its season with a win over USF. It could steal some headlines from Leavitt's thundering herd. George Selvie can't wait to watch Rutgers film. The only film he can do without is that hypnotist thing last year. 'I don't need to see that anymore,' Selvie said. He still has his arms filled with sacks. It's good to be the Grinch. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- And here is his freshman stats... 2006: Started all 13 games at right end and led all linemen (third overall on team) with 84 tackles, 15 for loss and 5.5 sacks...Eight tackles, including 3.5 for loss, a nine-yard TD recovery and a forced fumble in the WVU (Nov. 25) win...Season-high 10 tackles at Cincinnati (Oct. 22)...Two sacks vs. Florida International (Sept. 9)... Nine tackles in wins over FIU (Sept. 9) and North Carolina (Oct. 14)...USF’s Defensive Rookie of the Year....2005: Used redshirt season...Won USF’s Overachiever Award for his outstanding work in strength and conditioning program.
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