Under the bright Florida sun at Raymond James Stadium on a humid Saturday afternoon, the South Florida Bulls didn’t just win—they sent a statement to the rest of the American Athletic Conference. Quarterback Byrum Brown tossed four touchdown passes, the defense contributed a record-setting interception return, and the special teams blocked a punt for a score as USF dismantled South Carolina State 63-14. With the victory, the Bulls closed out non-conference play at 3-1, their best mark since 2018, and set the stage for a primetime conference showdown with Charlotte on Oct. 3.
The game was billed as a tune-up before league play, but South Florida approached it like a proving ground. Coming off a stretch in which they had already toppled two Top-25 opponents, head coach Alex Golesh’s squad refused to coast. From the first defensive snap to the final whistle, the Bulls played with urgency and swagger—a trademark of programs that believe they’re destined for something bigger than an early-season winning record.
A Defensive Spark to Start the Fire
South Carolina State, a proud MEAC contender, opened aggressively. The Bulldogs methodically marched 70 yards on their first drive, chewing up clock and threatening to strike first. But when linebacker Mac Harris stepped in front of Ryan Stubblefield’s pass at the USF 7, everything flipped. Harris, a graduate leader known for his instincts, tucked the ball, sprinted up the sideline, and never looked back. Ninety-three yards later, he was celebrating the longest interception return in Bulls history. The sideline erupted, the crowd roared, and USF was on its way.
“It set the tone,” Golesh said postgame. “Mac’s play wasn’t just points on the board—it was a message.” Harris’ impact didn’t end there. He racked up 10 tackles—tying a career high—while registering two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss in just the first 20 minutes of game time. The defensive front fed off his energy, closing rushing lanes and pressuring Stubblefield relentlessly.
That early defensive score ignited a cascade of big plays. By the end of the night, USF would score via offense, defense, and special teams, the hallmark of a complete team firing on every cylinder.
Brown’s Command Performance
If Harris lit the spark, Byrum Brown poured gasoline on the fire. The sophomore quarterback was poised and efficient, completing 14 of 20 passes for 236 yards. His four touchdowns came in an array of situations—tight coverage, rolling pockets, and deep-ball strikes—showing the maturity of a passer growing into a franchise cornerstone.
His first touchdown connection came in the second quarter, hitting tight end Jonathan Echols on a crisp 22-yard post route that capped a 67-yard drive. Echols, lined up wide, split the secondary with ease, and Brown delivered a strike that never wavered. Minutes later, Brown displayed touch and timing, lofting a 26-yard pass to Josh Porter in the corner of the end zone to stretch the lead to 21-0.
Even after a tipped-pass interception gifted South Carolina State a short field late in the first half—a sequence that led to a one-yard score by Kacy Fields—the Bulls’ quarterback never flinched. Coming out of halftime, Brown immediately reminded everyone who was in control. Just over a minute into the third quarter, he uncorked a 42-yard bomb to Chas Nimrod, who hauled it in stride to make it 28-7. Later in the quarter, Brown found Nimrod again from 22 yards out, a perfect spiral that further buried the Bulldogs.
Brown’s chemistry with Nimrod is quickly becoming one of the American’s most dangerous connections. Nimrod, who posted his second straight 100-yard receiving game, finished with four catches for 119 yards and two scores. His combination of speed and reliable hands stretches defenses and opens up running lanes for the Bulls’ dynamic backfield.
A Third-Quarter Avalanche
If the first half was about methodical control, the third quarter was an avalanche of points. USF poured on 35 unanswered in the period, setting a program record for points in a single quarter. The defense forced punt after punt, and the offense scored with ruthless efficiency.
Running back Nykahi Davenport was next to strike, bursting up the middle for a 43-yard touchdown after Alvon Isaac’s 19-yard punt return set up favorable field position. On the ensuing drive, Jaelen Stokes crashed through the line to block a punt, and Ashton Mosley scooped it at the USF 4, returning it for a touchdown. The stadium was electric, fans sensing they were witnessing a performance that would be remembered long after the final score faded from the scoreboard.
With the Bulldogs reeling, Brown and Nimrod connected again to push the tally to 49-7. Then came Sam Franklin, whose 30-yard touchdown run closed out the quarter’s scoring spree and highlighted USF’s depth at running back. Franklin wasn’t done, though. In the fourth quarter, he bolted for a 54-yard score, the exclamation point on a night where the Bulls amassed 252 rushing yards.
Special Teams Shine
While Brown’s passing and the defense’s dominance will draw the headlines, USF’s special teams quietly stole a share of the spotlight. The blocked punt for a touchdown was the Bulls’ first since 2011, a reminder that every phase of the game matters in championship hunts. Kicker accuracy and coverage units were also sharp, limiting SC State’s return opportunities and pinning them deep repeatedly.
Golesh emphasized after the game that those details are what elevate good teams to great ones. “Games are often won or lost on special teams,” he said. “We’ve preached that from day one, and tonight you saw why.”
Statistical Domination
The box score reflects the Bulls’ all-around mastery:
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63 points tied the most under Golesh and marked the season high.
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Big plays everywhere: Passing touchdowns of 43, 26, 22, and 22 yards; rushing touchdowns of 54, 43, and 30 yards; a 93-yard interception return; and a blocked punt score.
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35-0 third quarter: A program record, underscoring their explosive potential coming out of halftime adjustments.
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Third-quarter dominance overall: USF has now outscored opponents 58-7 in the third quarter this season and 181-63 (+118) since the start of 2024.
These aren’t just numbers—they’re indicators of a team with balance, depth, and killer instinct.
The Bigger Picture: Momentum and Belief
The win carries weight beyond the final tally. For a program that’s clawed its way back to relevance, stacking three non-conference victories for the first time in six years matters. It builds confidence in the locker room and excitement among a fan base hungry for a return to national contention.
Golesh has been careful to temper expectations, reminding his players that American Conference play will bring stiffer tests. Yet even he acknowledged that the Bulls have something brewing. “We’ve shown we can play with anyone,” he noted. “Now we have to keep proving it every week.”
The offensive line, often overlooked amid highlight-reel plays, deserves credit for Saturday’s fireworks. Their protection gave Brown time to survey the field, and their run blocking opened wide avenues for Franklin and Davenport. If the line continues to gel, USF’s offense could become one of the most feared units in the league.
Defensively, the Bulls showcased depth and versatility. Beyond Harris’ heroics, the secondary was disciplined, and the front seven generated consistent pressure. Holding SC State to just 14 points despite a few early drives that tested them speaks to their resilience. With conference opponents studying this tape, USF’s defense will have to continue mixing coverages and disguising blitzes to maintain its edge.
Fan Energy and Atmosphere
Raymond James Stadium buzzed with a different kind of energy Saturday. The announced attendance reflected the growing enthusiasm surrounding this year’s team, but the passion on display was louder than the numbers. Students waved flags in the end zone, alumni donned throwback jerseys, and families cheered until the final whistle. For a program that has sometimes struggled with fan engagement, nights like this rekindle pride.
The Bulls’ tradition of celebrating big plays with sideline theatrics—players waving towels, dancing to the band’s beats—added to the spectacle. When Franklin broke free for his 54-yard run, even defensive linemen sprinted down the sideline, helmets waving, as if to carry him across the goal line with their cheers.
Looking Ahead: Charlotte and the AAC Gauntlet
Now, the Bulls enter a pivotal bye week. The extra preparation time is a gift before hosting Charlotte under the Friday-night lights of ESPN2. Charlotte may not have the pedigree of some AAC heavyweights, but conference games bring different stakes and pressures. USF will be expected to win—but expectations can be a double-edged sword.
Golesh and his staff will use the week to fine-tune execution, heal minor injuries, and sharpen their focus. For Brown, it’s a chance to study tape, refine his timing with Nimrod and Echols, and perhaps add a few wrinkles to keep defenses guessing. For Harris and the defense, it’s an opportunity to build on a dominant outing and continue their third-quarter tradition of turning games on their head.
If USF can maintain its balance—explosive offense, opportunistic defense, and sound special teams—the Bulls could emerge as one of the AAC’s most dangerous threats. And with their early non-conference résumé, whispers of a ranked future aren’t far-fetched.
Final Thoughts
Saturday’s 63-14 rout wasn’t just another blowout—it was a statement of intent. It was the kind of performance that resonates in recruiting pitches, energizes donors, and makes conference rivals take notice. It was a night where stars like Brown and Harris shone brightly, but also one where depth players—Mosley on the blocked-punt return, Davenport with his burst, Isaac with his special teams spark—proved that the Bulls’ success is built on more than a handful of playmakers.
In football, dominance often begins in the details: the linebacker reading a quarterback’s eyes, the quarterback trusting his receiver’s break, the linemen grinding in the trenches, and the special teams unit executing a perfect block. South Florida displayed all of that and more against South Carolina State.
As the Bulls enjoy their bye and set their sights on Charlotte, one thing is clear: this is a team on the rise, a program finding its stride, and a fan base with every reason to dream big again. The lights at Raymond James may have dimmed late Saturday night, but the echoes of this emphatic win are sure to reverberate through the AAC all season long.
