WEST POINT, N.Y. — USF football delivered an early contender for the most dramatic finish of its season Saturday, rallying from 10 points down in the final five minutes to stun Army 28-24 at Michie Stadium.
Michael Van Buren Jr. found Joshua Porter for a 38-yard touchdown on fourth-and-6 with 19 seconds remaining, completing a comeback that gave the Bulls their first road victory under first-year head coach Brian Hartline. The win moved South Florida to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the American Conference.
A fourth-quarter comeback built on belief
Army appeared to have control after Godspower Nwawuihe scored on a 10-yard run with 4:59 left, extending the Black Knights’ lead to 24-14. The Bulls had struggled to get possessions against Army’s clock-consuming offense, but Van Buren answered immediately.
The junior quarterback broke free for a 24-yard touchdown run with 3:13 remaining, cutting the deficit to three. USF’s ensuing onside kick failed, leaving Army in position to drain the clock. Instead, the Bulls’ defense forced the Black Knights backward, with Zavier Hamilton recording a critical sack before an Army punt.
A personal foul on the Black Knights moved USF’s starting position from its own 4-yard line to the 19, giving Van Buren 1:46 to lead one final drive. He completed five passes as the Bulls advanced to the Army 38.
Facing fourth-and-6 with 25 seconds left, USF had a decision to make. Kicker Nico Gramatica had the range for a potential 55-yard field goal, but Hartline kept his offense on the field. Army brought an all-out blitz, Porter won his one-on-one matchup down the right sideline and Van Buren dropped the pass into his hands at the goal line.
“Pretty special. There were a lot of emotions. Proud of the guys,” Hartline said after the win.
Van Buren takes command
Van Buren finished 19 of 30 for 239 passing yards and two touchdowns. He added a team-high 45 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground. His final two touchdown drives accounted for 131 passing yards and showed a much more explosive side of the offense than the one seen in USF’s 19-9 season-opening victory over FIU.
The biggest improvement came when the game demanded it. USF trailed 14-7 at halftime after Army quarterback Cale Hellums threw touchdown passes to Zach Mundell and Nwawuihe. Van Buren tied the game in the third quarter with an 18-yard run, but Army reclaimed the lead on a Dawson Jones field goal before building its late 10-point advantage.
Army controlled long stretches with three scoring drives of more than 90 yards. Hellums completed 9 of 10 passes for 91 yards and ran for 55 more, while Nwawuihe carried 20 times for 94 yards. The Black Knights’ efficiency made every USF possession matter, especially during the frantic final minutes.
A statement win for Hartline’s Bulls
Saturday’s result carried significance beyond the final score. It was USF’s earliest conference game in program history, its first meeting with Army as an American Conference opponent and the 350th game in Bulls football history. The trip also marked South Florida’s first visit to West Point since a 28-0 victory in 2003.
More than anything, the finish offered an early look at the identity Hartline wants his team to develop. The Bulls did not play a clean game, but they responded under pressure, trusted their quarterback on the decisive snap and found a way to win after Army had seemingly taken control.
USF returns to Raymond James Stadium on Saturday, September 19, to face Delaware State at 7 p.m. The Bulls will arrive home unbeaten, with a conference victory already secured and one unforgettable fourth-down connection setting the tone for the season.
Game details and statistics were verified through USF Athletics and WUSF’s postgame coverage.
