USF Dominates No. 25 Boise State, 34-7, For First Ranked Win Since 2016

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 TAMPA – South Florida football (1-0, American) was “Back in Black” and back with quarterback Byrum Brown making plays under center Thursday in Raymond James Stadium as a national-television audience on ESPN watched the Bulls roll past No. 25 Boise State (0-1; MWC), 34-7.

The Bulls rode a strong defense, aggressive play calling and the legs of Byrum Brown to their first victory over a Top 25-ranked opponent since downing No. 22 Navy in 2016. The 27-point margin of victory was the second highest in program history over a ranked opponent behind only a 45-14 win over No. 9 Louisville in 2005. 

The USF defense caused three big turnovers – all fumbles – and held the Broncos in check, allowing just one touchdown, well below the Broncos 37.7 points per game scoring average last season. 

It was Boise State’s lowest scoring opener since 2013 and their first time scoring less than 10 points since 2019. The Bulls were led by a career-high 14 tackle effort from Jhalyn Shuler, who also recovered a fumble. De’Shawn Rucker added 11 stops and Mac Harris eight and a forced fumble. Ira Singleton recovered two fumbles on the day and added two stops.

Brown ran for two touchdowns and 43 yards while passing for 210 yards and completing 16-of-24 in his first start since being injured last September at Tulane. Keshaun Singleton caught five passes for 93 yards and a touchdown, while Tennessee transfer Chas Nimrod had three catches for 96 yards. 

It was clear early on the Bulls came to lay it on the line for the win. USF went for a 4th-and-1 early in the first quarter, which failed, but stayed aggressive running a fake punt midway through the third quarter on 4th-and-6 that went for a touchdown and broke the game open.

On that fake punt, freshman quarterback Locklan Hewlett lined up as the punter, took the snap and completed his first career pass attempt for touchdown with 8:18 to play in the third quarter. On 4th-and-6 from the Boise State 45, he hit Singleton downfield inside the 20. Singleton broke a tackle and sidestepped another to dance into the endzone for a 45-yard touchdown that gave the Bulls a 17-7 lead and all the momentum. 

Boise State drove into USF territory on the next possession, but the defense held on a 4th-and-2 from the USF 23.

The Bulls took over and Brown hit Nimrod for a 55-yard gain to the Boise State 15. On the next play, Brown rumbled around the left side and scored on a 15-yard run to make it 24-7 with 1:44 to play in the third quarter. 

The Bulls made in 31-7 after Cartevious Norton finished a 43-yard drive with a powerful 8-yard touchdown run, banging off a defender to score with 13:26 to play. 

Nico Gramatica’s second field goal of the day – a 33 -yarder – made it 34-7 as the clock wound down in the fourth quarter.

Boise State struck first in the game, using a short field after the Bulls went for a short 4th-and-1 at their own 38 with 5:52 to play in the first quarter and a quarterback sneak came up short. The Broncos drove 38 yards and took a 7-0 lead on a 6-yard pass from Maddux Madsen to Chris Marshall.

The Bulls responded on their next possession as Gramatica delivered a 52-yard field goal. 

South Florida took a 10-7 lead into the half after driving 49-yards and scoring on a 23-yard Brown touchdown run midway through the second quarter. 

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