Tampa, Fla. -- Matt Grothe threw for 135 yards and ran for 38 more Friday night and No. 18 South Florida forced six turnovers in defeating fifth-ranked West Virginia, 21-13.

South Florida fought off a Mountaineers comeback bid in the opening Big East Conference game for both schools.

The Bulls (4-0) defeated West Virginia (4-1) for the second straight time.
West Virginia starting quarterback Patrick White completed 12-of-18 passes for 100 yards and was intercepted twice. He limped off the field after being tackled on an 18-yard scramble and did not return.

Backup Jarrett Brown was good on 11-of-20 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown. He suffered two interceptions.

A 26-yard interception return by Ben Moffitt gave the Bulls a 7-0 lead with 1:13 left in the first period and Grothe hit Carlton Mitchell on a 55-yard scoring throw in the second.

South Florida took a 21-3 lead in the third by driving 74 yards after the kickoff. Jamar Taylor finished the march with a 19-yard run.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.