USF Football Rolls to Bowl Eligibility For Second Straight Year With 63-30 Dismantling of Tulsa

Bulls jumped to a 42-7 first half lead, post 715 total yards



TAMPA, FLA., NOV. 23, 2024 – South Florida (6-5; 4-3 American) earned the program’s 12th bowl appearance in 24 seasons of play at the FBS level, posting 715 yards of offense in a 63-30 domination of Tulsa (3-8; 1-6 American) Saturday on Senior Day in Raymond James Stadium.



USF’s second straight bowl appearance in two seasons under head coach Alex Golesh gives the Bulls the fourth-most since 1980 in a program’s first 24 years at the FBS level. The Bulls clinched it decisively, jumping to a 28-0 first quarter lead before Tulsa had recorded a first down and taking a 42-7 lead to the half.



USF racked up 454 first half yards, averaging eight yards per play and logging 10 of their season-high 16 explosive plays in the first 30 minutes. The first quarter points and first half yardage total marked USF’s most since a 2016 win over No. 22 Navy, while the 42 first half points were the most in a first half since posting a program-record 51 in a 65-27 win over Cincinnati in 2015.



The Bulls finished with 715 yards, the second-most in program history and the most ever against an FBS opponent. USF’s 63 points marked their most since scoring 65 vs. Cincinnati in 2015 and the program’s first back-to-back 50-point games since 2011.



The Bulls sixth 200-plus yard rushing effort on the year and fourth of more than 300, was led by senior Kelley Joiner who logged his second-straight 100-yard game, reaching that mark after just five carries including an early 48-yard touchdown. One game after posting a career-best 140 yards and 15.6 yards per carry average, Joiner went for 133 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 13.1 yards on 10 carries.



Quarterback Bryce Archie threw for a career-best 305 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 40 and a touchdown in three quarters of work, leading USF to victory for the fourth time as a starter in his sixth-straight start.



The Bulls’ defense was dominating early, not giving up a first down until Tulsa’s fifth drive of the game, forcing two first half turnovers and allowing just seven first half points as USF took command. USF collected a season-best five turnovers, one game after posting four in a win at Charlotte and now has 23 on the year.



The Bulls leapt out of the gate, with Joiner posting a 20-yard run on the first play from scrimmage and ripping a 48-yard scoring run right up the middle for a 7-0 lead just three plays and 41 seconds into the game.



The defense forced a quick three-and-out, with Tulsa going backward three yards on its opening possession. Archie led the offense back on the field and a 26-yard strike to Sean Atkins got the Bulls to the TU24. Five plays later Nay’ Quan Wright went one yard over the right side for a 14-0 lead.



With the Bulls in the backfield again pressuring the Tulsa quarterback, the Golden Hurricane had another three-and-out. Archie drove the Bulls to the UT30, hitting Josh Porter for a 32-yard gain, but the drive stalled and the 47-yard field goal attempt was no good.



Tawfiq Byard collected the first of his two turnovers on the night, intercepting Tulsa quarterback Cooper Legas at the UT38. Two plays later, Joiner ran 38 yards over the right side to the UT2. Joiner finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run two plays later and the Bulls led 21-0.



The defense again held Tulsa without a first down, this time holding the Golden Hurricane on a 4th-and-1 attempt at their own 34. USF wasted little time making it 28-0 as Archie hit tight end Payten Singletary for an 18-yard gain and Archie scored on a 6-yard run three plays later.



Tulsa finally gained a first down and moved into USF territory, but senior DJ Gordon forced a fumble and Byard recovered at the USF27. The Bulls moved the ball but were forced to punt.



Tulsa’s Anthony Watkins blew through the middle and appeared destined or a touchdown, but USF freshman James Chenault chased him down from behind and brought the runner down at the USF2 after a 77-yard gain. There, the Bulls defense did not relent, stopping Tulsa on four downs and getting the ball back when Mac Harris dropped Watkins for a four-yard loss in the flat on a 4th-and-goal play from the two.



Archie then drove the Bulls 94 yards for the touchdown, hitting Keshaun Singleton (5 catches for 96 yards on the night) on a short pass near midfield and watching the sophomore break tackles on his way to a 58-yard touchdown and a 35-0 lead.



Tulsa found some offense on their seventh drive and moved 75 yards for a touchdown on an 11-yard pass from Legas to Joseph Willams. Buts, USF made 42-7 when Archie hit Payten Singletary for a 16-yard touchdown with 2:27 to play in the half.



The Bulls substituted liberally in a second half that saw Izzy Carter lead the offense for much of the half and finish with 102 yards and two touchdowns on 6-of-8 passing. One of those touchdowns was a 59-yard catch and run from freshman tight end Jonathan Echols, his first catch as a Bull.



KEY STATS

• USF’s 715 total yards marked the second-most in program history (745 vs. Florida A&M in 2011) and most-ever against and FBS opponent.

• USF scored a touchdown in the first 41 seconds and jumped to a 28-0 first quarter lead, the Bulls’ most first-quarter points since posting 28 in a 52-45 victory over No. 22 Navy in 2016.

• USF racked up 454 first half yards, averaging eight yards per play and logging 10 of their season high 16 explosive plays in the first 30 minutes. The first half yardage total marked USF’s most since a 2016 win over No. 22 Navy, while 42 first half points were the most in a first half since posting a program-record 51 in a 65-27 win over Cincinnati in 2015.

• USF posted five rushing touchdowns on the day, giving them 11 in its last two games and 30 on the year, tied for second-most in program history (2007 & 2017). The record is 47 set in 2016.



NOTABLES

• RB Kelley Joiner posted a 48-yard touchdown on the third play of the game on his way to his second-straight 100-yard game and the seventh of his career. Joiner finished with 131 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries, his fifth multiple rushing touchdown game of the season. Joiner now stands 6th on the USF career rushing charts with 2,159 yards.

• S Tawfiq Byard recorded his first career interception in the first half and added a fumble recovery while posting five tackles and a tackle for loss.

• QB Bryce Archie posted 345 total yards and three touchdowns, passing for a career-best 305 and two touchdowns on the day while running for 40 and one.



UP NEXT

USF wraps up the regular season campaign with a road date at Rice next Saturday. The 2:00 p.m. (ET) kickoff on ESPN+ will mark the Bulls’ first-ever game at Rice Stadium in Houston.

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Lol

Like our Bulls I'm not at my best, but blessed to play another day.

The Blue Raiders matchup with USF better than Portland did from an athletic standpoint, but they do not shoot it as well. Leading the way for the Blue Raiders is their 6-1 combo guard Jestin Porter averaging almost 17 ppg and shooting an impressive 50% from the field(37% 3pt). This is the guy USF has to stop if they want to win today. Porter has the ball in his hands a lot and puts a lot of stress on opposing defenses with the dribble drive or moving within the Middle Tennessee's offense to get an open look. He doesn't sit on the bench long, plays over 30 minutes per game, so all the Bulls players will get their shot at guarding him. The other guards USF has to be concerned with are 6-3 G Jlynn Counter(11 ppg and shoots 56% from the field) and 6-3 G Camryn Weston(10ppg) who is their best passing and defensive guard of the trio. The key BIG for MTSU is 6-9, 250lbs Essam Mostafa who had 19 pts and 13 rebs in their win against Ohio yesterday. Overall the Blue Raiders have 5 guys averaging in double figures and can be a dangerous team win hot.

No clue about MTSU I didn’t get to see their game yesterday..

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Ivy League kids don’t get a 5th year hence the portal

In honor of Russ...lets keep all game chatter here.

Bulls dug themselves out of a small hole early and lead at the half. The guards are all playing well and team is playing hard. Would like to see more drives to the basket rather than all the 3's

Four South Florida players have finished in double digits in four of the five games this season



MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (November 21, 2024) – The University of South Florida men’s basketball team opened the Myrtle Beach Invitational on Thursday with a matchup against Portland. Kobe Knox scored a team-high 13 points as the Bulls defeated the Pilots 74-68.



With the victory, South Florida improved to 3-2 on the season, while Portland fell to 2-3. Knox led the Bulls with 13 points. Brandon Stroud posted an 11-point performance. CJ Brown and Jamille Reynolds both finished with 10 points.



The Pilots opened the game by hitting five 3-pointers and took a 16-5 lead with 15:29 left in the first half.



The Bulls were unfazed and scored the game’s next seven points. During the run, Stroud accounted for five of those points. South Florida cut the deficit to 16-12. Quincy Ademokoya and Kasen Jennings hit back-to-back 3-pointers and pulled the Bulls within one, 19-18. The Pilots held a 22-20 lead with 8:00 left until the break.



The Bulls outscored the Pilots, 7-5, over the next 4:30 of play. Knox intercepted a pass and took it the distance for a dunk in transition. His dunk tied the game at 27-27.



The USF defense was stout and held the UP offense to just one field goal for the remainder of the half. The Bulls ended the half on an 11-6 run and took a 38-33 lead into the break.



After Portland scored the second half’s first three points, South Florida answered with back-to-back 3-pointers from Knox and Jennings, which forced the Pilots to take a timeout. The Bulls held a 44-36 lead with 16:08 left in regulation.



South Florida extended its lead to 53-42 with 11:23 left to play. During the USF 9-6 run, De’Ante Green recorded a putback dunk to get the bench hyped.



The Pilots went on an 8-2 run and cut the Bulls’ lead to 55-50. Jimmie Williams recorded the game’s next four points, including a steal that led to a fastbreak dunk.



Portland went on an 11-4 run to cut the South Florida lead to 63-61 with 3:46 left in the game.



South Florida was resilient and held Portland to just one field goal over the final 3:46 of play. The Bulls outscored the Pilots 11-7 to close out the game. South Florida went on to win 74-68.



Reynolds, Stroud, and Knox all collected six rebounds each. Stroud led the team with four assists. Brown had a team-high two steals.



Max Mackinnon had a game-high 17 points for Portland. Vincent Delano added 14 points, while Austin Rapp had 11. Mackinnon and Rapp both went for a game-high eight rebounds.



Notables

· Kobe Knox produced a team-high 13 points, his third game in double figures.

· Brandon Stroud notched his third game of the year in double figures with 11 points.

· CJ Brown collected his third game in double digits with 10 points.

· Jamille Reynolds recorded 10 points, his third game in double figures.
· South Florida has had four or more players score in double figures for the fourth time in five games.



Up Next

The Bulls are back for day two of the Myrtle Beach Invitational on Friday, November 22. South Florida will take on Middle Tennessee at 2 p.m. on ESPN2.

Over/under set at 145.5.

Portland has been a bit enigmatic so far this year - a 41-point home loss to UCSB followed by a 10-point road loss at Oregon, then a 2-point road win a Long Beach State.

Here are some high level numbers:


I like USF and the first half number of -4.5 as the Pilots have been a poor shooting team flying east and playing at 11:30am PT.

"The one thing about it is you can't teach speed," Smith said. "Some people naturally are fast, and I have been blessed to have this speed."

From the time he was four years old, Smith has been a sprinter, only picking up football later when a coach noticed his natural speed. Later, when it came time to choose a college, Smith wanted someplace where he could be free to run routes and sprints.


"It was a deal-breaker honestly," said Smith. "I grew up doing it all my life and just felt like I couldn't change it just because I'm at a different level."

"We were looking for a slot [receiver] and looking for someone that could run, run," explained Golesh.

After what Golesh described as a "cold call" to Smith, the sprinter visited USF and decided to commit.

"Golesh, that man can talk," joked Smith. "He was telling me all the good stuff about the program and what I could do. I just had the buy into it, and it's paying off."


"This is really his second year focusing on football. I think his future is so crazy bright," said Golesh. "It will be really, really fun to continue to watch him as he continues to go."

The Oracle is reporting that Bryce was injured in Charlotte and is questionable for this week. Anyone know if he has been practicing? Who would be the backup if Archie is out?

We beat Cincy 65-27. It was 51-3 at the half.

First time Facebook has been useful in nine years.

I get it, Byrum Brown did not have the best 2024 season. but why is he getting so much hate? I decided to compare his best season with the best season of the QBs from our past. He arguably had one of the best seasons of any USF QB not named Quinton Flowers. He is the only QB to eclipse 3000 passing yards. For QB rushing he is 4th. QF has the top 3 best rushing seasons. Quinton Flowers had 2 NFL receivers, an NFL tight end, and 2 NFL running backs to help him out. Byrum did all of this with a walk-on as his top receiver. I'm still on the Byrum Brown train and can't wait for the success he will help this football team achieve. The best part about Byrum being injured is that this team is learning how to win without Byrum shouldering the entire load on his back. I'm not arguing with anybody, I just wanted to present the numbers for all of you naysayers who are ready to move on from him. Oh yeah and statistically, he is our most accurate QB ever.

Well it looks like two Pinellas County Commissioners are willing to tank the new Rays ball park because they are upset that the Rays are going to play in Tampa in 2025.

The location next to the Trop is still a bad location, and I hope that Ken Hagan has back chanelled to the Rays the prior offer to bring the Rays to Tampa permanently.

We are on the verge of losing a professional sports franchise.

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Yay you all got to see him play. 🤣🤣🤣

Here are the PFF numbers and some notes from the Bulls win over Charlotte.

Top Performers Offensively (60 is consider average)
RB- Kelley Joiner Jr. 79.4 PFF in 21 snaps, 78.0 run grade
RB- Nay'Quan Wright 74.7 PFF in 15 snaps
QB- Izzy Carter 69.6 PFF in 17 snaps
RB- Ta'ron Keith 68.5 PFF in 18 snaps
SLT- Sean Atkins 65.0 PFF in 52 snaps
WR- Christian Helms 59.9 PFF in 17 snaps
SLT- Brandon Winton 59.1 PFF in 16 snaps
WR- JeyQuan Smith 58.2 PFF in 21 snaps
TE- Gunnar Greenwald 55.3 PFF in 10 snaps
TE- Payten Singletary 52.6 PFF in 31 snaps
WR- Keshaun Singleton 52.6 PFF in 46 snaps
QB- Bryce Archie 51.2 PFF in 54 snaps, 62.4 NFL QBR
TE- Evan Dangler 50.9 PFF in 16 snaps
TE- Wyatt Stiehl 50.6 PFF in 11 snaps
WR- Michael Brown Stephens 50.1 PFF in 29 snaps
WR- Joshua Porter 45.9 PFF in 19 snaps

The WRs and TEs have been an issue all season and they are not helping out the QB play. The QB passing game remains inconsistent.

Additional offensive snaps under 10
WR- Tyree Kelly 9
OL- Cole Skinner 9
RB- Jaylen Johnson 8
RT- Nikola Milovac 8
RG- Teriyan Morman 8
WR- Jayden Davis 7
RB- Yasias Young 5
RB- Alvon Isaac 4

Offensive Line Grades
C- Cole Best 70.8 PFF in 54 snaps, 68.2 run blk
RG- Zane Herring 68.9 PFF in 53 snaps, 76.4 pass blk, 67.4 run blk
RT/RG- Jack Wilty 67.4 PFF in 10 snaps
LG- Deonte Bowie 66.9 PFF in 17 snaps, 70.6 pass blk
C- Mike Lofton 63.5 PFF in 17 snaps, 70.3 pass blk
LG- Andrew Kilfoyl 63.3 PFF in 54 snaps
RT- Derek Bowman 58.2 PFF in 54 snaps, 76.6 pass blk
LT- RJ Perry 51.6 PFF in 54 snaps

DEFENSE
LB- Mac Harris 90.1 PFF in 51 snaps, 93.1 pass rush and 80.8 tackling grades
OLB- D.J. Harris 88.0 PFF in 43 snaps, 92.0 pass coverage grade
S- Fred Gaskin 82.8 PFF in 14 snaps, 86.3 pass coverage grade
DE- Ryan Jenkins 77.4 PFF in 11 snaps
LB- Jhalyn Shuler 75.2 PFF in 52 snaps
DT- Bernard Gooden 74.3 PFF in 37 snaps
NT- Jahari Grant 72.6 PFF in 30 snaps
CB- Paco Austin 71.6 PFF in 63 snaps, 83.8 tackling grade
DE- Decarius Hawthorne 69.4 PFF in 41 snaps
NB- Jarvis Lee Jr. 69.2 PFF in 18 snaps
DT- Dinellson Exume 68.8 PFF in 32 snaps
S- Tawfiq Byard 68.6 PFF in 51 snaps
LB- DJ Gordon IV 68.0 PFF in 26 snaps
OLB- Jason Vaughn 63.9 PFF in 17 snaps
S- Caqavouis Berryhill 63.2 PFF in 17 snaps
OLB- Ira Singleton 62.2 PFF in 12 snaps
S- Jaelen Stokes 62.1 PFF in 25 snaps, 27.5 tackle grade
DE- Micahel Williams II 62.0 PFF in 40 snaps, 74.7 tackle grade
CB- De'Shawn Rucker 61.9 PFF in 64 snaps, 32.3 run D grade, 28.8 tackle grade
OLB- Rico Watson 61.8 PFF in 46 snaps
CB- Ben Knox 61.5 PFF in 24 snaps
LB- Jamie Pettway 59.0 PFF in 23 snaps
NT- Jacquez Williams 58.7 PFF in 39 snaps
NB- Kajuan Banks 57.7 PFF in 26 snaps, 27 tackle grade, dinged for a PI
S- Tavin Ward 44.8 PFF in 59 snaps, 80.9 tackle, 39.6 pass coverage grades

Additional Snaps under 10
CB- James Chenault 9
LB- Rodney Hill 5
LB- Langston Long 3
NB- Jermaine Dalias 2

Stay tuned a top target. Not CJ Jenkins

Looks like Coach just took one of the interim tags off his life by getting engaged. Step one is down now he has to work on removing the interim coaches tag. May GOD bless him!

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High of 69 on Sat

For once we won’t be sweating balls for a day game!

Early prognostications…

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Mac Harris • Gr. • LB • South Florida

Had five tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a 25-yard fumble return for a touchdown in a 59-24 win at Charlotte.



Kelley Joiner • Gr. • RB • South Florida

Rushed for a career-high 140 yards and two touchdowns in a 59-24 win at Charlotte.

Just back from today’s game. Great to see Bulls on the right side of a blowout. That said, I really wish I could feel more confident about our future at quarterback. Archie failed to inspire. An interception to cap our first possesion was not a good start. The rest of the day he was clearly outplayed by Charlotte’s QB (although he had plenty of mistakes too). In my opinion, he has not shown enough growth. On the bright side, he effectively ran on numerous occasions. As for Carter, he finally got some meaningful playing time. His time in the game wasn’t optimal for passing but he was poised and he sure can run. Assuming he doesn’t transfer, next year will be a battle between Archie, Carter and anyone else who is brought in. Brings me to my last observation, I am convinced Brown won’t be back (hope I am wrong). He was on the sidelines tonight. Not in uniform. No indication of a limp or any other ailment. His interaction with other players seemed minimal at best. Didn’t see him spending time with CAG either. Somehow, not what I was expecting from the person I thought was the leader of our team. Not a conspiracy theorist but I don’t believe we are hearing the whole story on this one. Anyway, fun game.

Greetings from the press box. I made the trip up here.