The No. 19-ranked South Florida Bulls continued their impressive march through the American Athletic Conference with a commanding 48-13 victory over Florida Atlantic on Saturday night, thrilling a Homecoming crowd of 45,169 fans at Raymond James Stadium. The win not only extended USF’s dominance on the ground but also solidified its reputation as one of the most balanced and explosive teams in the country. The victory marked the Bulls’ first four-game win streak since 2018, and with a 6-1 overall record (3-0 in the AAC), USF is bowl eligible for the third consecutive season under head coach Alex Golesh.
The atmosphere inside Raymond James was electric, with the fifth-largest Homecoming crowd in program history watching as the Bulls turned in another complete performance. USF posted its fourth straight game of 250-plus rushing yards, racking up 259 on the ground and 522 yards of total offense while holding FAU to just 23 rushing yards. The Bulls have now scored 40 or more points in four consecutive games and have won five straight home games by 25 points or more — a testament to the team’s consistency, depth, and offensive creativity.
Quarterback Byrum Brown once again led the charge, showing why he’s one of the most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in college football. Brown ran for 111 yards and a touchdown — his seventh career 100-yard rushing game and second this season — while also throwing for 256 yards and three touchdowns. It marked the fourth straight game he’s thrown for at least three scores, a streak that has helped fuel USF’s offensive explosion. Over his last four games, Brown has accounted for 18 total touchdowns.
The Bulls wasted no time asserting control. On their opening drive, Brown engineered a 12-play, 75-yard march that ended with a dazzling 22-yard touchdown run up the middle, setting the tone for what would be another high-powered night. FAU responded with a 45-yard field goal after a Mac Harris sack stalled their drive deep in USF territory. Harris, who has been the heart of the Bulls’ defense all season, led the team with 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a sack.
USF extended its lead to 14-3 when Brown found Jonathan Echols in the corner of the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown, capping another 75-yard drive that showcased both precision passing and physical running. Early in the second quarter, the Bulls had already racked up 203 yards of offense, and Brown had 74 rushing yards on his own.
Then came a play that caught everyone — including FAU — off guard. Following the touchdown, punter Chase Leon executed a perfectly placed onside kick, lofting the ball just over the front line of FAU’s return unit. Wide receiver JeyQuan Smith sprinted past the bewildered Owls and recovered the ball at the FAU 35-yard line, sending the crowd into a frenzy. The Bulls capitalized on the momentum, driving to the 1-yard line where, in one of the most memorable moments of the night, 6-foot-5, 325-pound offensive guard Cole Skinner lined up in the backfield and bulldozed his way into the end zone for the second straight game. His touchdown made it 21-3 and underscored the team’s playful yet confident approach to its dominance.
FAU managed to put together a solid drive late in the half, settling for a 28-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 21-6 at intermission. When the Owls opened the second half with a quick scoring drive — capped by quarterback Caden Valtkamp’s 1-yard shovel pass to tight end Michael Kirch — the score tightened to 21-13. But that was the last time FAU would find the end zone.
From there, it was all South Florida. The Bulls’ defense buckled down, forcing three consecutive punts, while the offense methodically tore apart FAU’s secondary. Brown connected with Keshaun Singleton on a brilliant 39-yard pass between two defenders, setting up a 41-yard field goal from Nico Gramatica to extend the lead to 24-13.
On the next drive, Brown again displayed his clutch playmaking ability. Facing a fourth-and-one from the FAU 24, he rolled right and hit tight end Wyatt Sullivan in the flat. Sullivan turned upfield, shedding a tackle and dragging a defender into the end zone for a 24-yard touchdown. The play ignited the sideline and pushed the lead to 31-13 midway through the third quarter.
True freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Koger continued his breakout campaign, showcasing both speed and confidence. On USF’s next possession, Brown hit Koger on a double move that left the FAU secondary flat-footed. Koger sprinted 60 yards for his third straight game with a touchdown, his second reception of more than 60 yards this season. He finished with four catches for 90 yards, leading the Bulls in receiving for the third consecutive week.
The defensive unit refused to let up. On FAU’s ensuing possession, linebacker Jhalyn Shuler tipped a pass that landed in the hands of defensive back Rico Watson for the Bulls’ 15th consecutive game with a takeaway. Five plays later, running back Nykahi Davenport punched in a 2-yard touchdown, one of his 71 rushing yards on the night, to make it 45-13. A final 28-yard Gramatica field goal capped the scoring and a dominant 27-0 USF run to close out the game.
The Bulls’ performance was a clinic in balance and efficiency. The team averaged 6.7 yards per play while holding FAU to a mere 23 yards rushing — and for most of the night, the Owls were in negative yardage on the ground. The defense consistently swarmed the line of scrimmage, winning battles up front and forcing FAU into predictable passing downs. The Bulls also extended their streak to 15 straight games forcing at least one turnover, a mark that has become a defining feature of their defensive identity.
USF’s Homecoming crowd, the largest since 2009, witnessed not only a dominant win but a statement — that the Bulls are legitimate contenders for the AAC crown and possibly more. The victory improved USF’s record to 3-0 in conference play for the first time since 2018 and just the fourth time in program history. It also marked a significant milestone for head coach Alex Golesh, whose rebuild of the program has been marked by toughness, discipline, and offensive ingenuity.
Individually, Brown continues to etch his name into the Bulls’ record books. His combination of accuracy, mobility, and leadership has transformed the offense into one of the nation’s most dangerous units. Koger’s emergence as a consistent downfield threat adds another weapon to a deep receiving corps, while the offensive line — anchored by veterans and bolstered by Skinner’s versatility — has paved the way for four consecutive games with at least 250 rushing yards.
Linebacker Mac Harris once again anchored the defense with authority, leading all tacklers with 10 stops, including 2.5 for loss. His relentless pursuit and energy have made him the emotional center of a defensive unit that thrives on takeaways and pressure. Together, the Bulls’ defense and offense complement each other seamlessly — one setting up opportunities for the other in a display of cohesion rarely seen in college football.
As the Bulls look ahead, the road gets no easier. Next week, South Florida travels to Memphis for a marquee matchup against the No. 22-ranked Tigers (6-1, 2-1 AAC) at the Liberty Bowl. The showdown, set for a noon kickoff on ESPN or ESPN2, will serve as a crucial test of USF’s mettle. With two ranked teams meeting atop the conference standings, the game could have major implications for the AAC title race.
For now, though, the Bulls can savor another emphatic victory — one that showcases how far they’ve come and how high their ceiling truly is. From Brown’s poise to Harris’s grit, from Golesh’s fearless play-calling to the team’s infectious confidence, South Florida football is once again a force to be reckoned with. The Raymond James crowd felt it. The scoreboard proved it. And the rest of the American Conference has been put on notice.
