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Photo Credit: Bobby Carter NGSC Sports
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Under a beautiful cloudless sky on a cool day in Tampa, Florida, the USF Bulls prepared to play the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes. If they won, they would be bowl-eligible for the second year. This would be huge for a program that has struggled in the past. It would also mark the second year under head coach Alex Golesh that they would have another bowl appearance. It was Senior Day, so before the game, all seniors were out with their loved ones receiving accolades and a jersey. The Golden Hurricanes have had a not-so-good year coming into this game with three wins. Both teams are coming off a loss. USF struggled against Navy and Tulsa lost a close game to East Carolina. The Bulls were in all-black jerseys and helmets. Tulsa was in all-white uniforms with white helmets.
The USF Bulls got great news: starting quarterback Bryum Brown was back in uniform. The crowd was the lightest it has been in any of the previous home games. Tulsa won the toss and deferred to the second half. In just three short plays, Kelley Joiner Jr. ran 48 yards for a touchdown giving the Bulls an early 7-0 lead. Shortly after that, USF would get another rushing touchdown taking the lead 14-0. It looked like the game from last week when all touchdowns were rushing. The game’s first turnover came for Tulsa in the form of a USF interception. The interception was by Tawfiq Byard his first career interception. After the interception, Joiner got his second touchdown of the game giving USF a 21-0 lead. Joiner had back-to-back 100-yard rushing games. The only negative that happened in the first quarter was a missed field goal. USF added another rushing touchdown by quarterback Bryce Archie. It was a quick 28-0 dominating lead. Tulsa could do nothing right as they had another turnover, this time a fumble. The first quarter ended with the score at 28-0.
The Bulls’ defense was strong and caused two turnovers on downs. After the stop, the Bulls took advantage with a 58-yard touchdown pass to Keshaun Singleton bringing the score to 35-0. The Golden Hurricanes got their first score midway through the second quarter the score was 35-7. USF’s second passing touchdown increased the lead to 42-7 going into the second half. The Golden Hurricanes received the ball to start the second half.
Tulsa’s first drive in the second half led to another turnover, an interception in the endzone. Driving down the field, Bryce Archie threw an interception for the first USF turnover. On the next play, the Golden Hurricanes gave it right back throwing another interception. Two plays after the turnover, the Bulls got another rushing touchdown by Ta’Ron Keith for 30 yards. Midway through the third quarter, USF had five touchdowns. Everything that could go wrong for Tulsa went wrong. On a pass reception, the Bulls defender stripped the ball causing a fumble and recovery at the one-yard line. The Bulls made another error by missing another field goal. At the end of the third quarter, the Bulls lead 49-7.
The missed field goal resulted in Tulsa’s second touchdown making it 49-14. Another score on a pass to Michael Brown-Stephens gave the Bulls a 56-14. USF would have another touchdown and allow Tulsa to score 16 more points the final score was 63-30. No matter what, the USF Bulls dominated this game. Taking a 28-0 lead in the first quarter would be hard for many teams to come back from. With the win, the Bulls have become bowl-eligible for the second time in two years. Since head coach Alex Golesh has become the coach they have made it to a bowl game. The Bulls will conclude their 2024 regular season next week against the Rice Owls on the road.
How exciting is it to see the USF Bulls get to another bowl game this year? Leave a comment below.
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Author Profile
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Bradley Walker serves as the Director of Operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a co-host on the P&W Sports Report and hosting The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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