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Photo courtesy of USF Athletics
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BIRMINGHAM, ALA. — The South Florida Bulls (8-3, 5-2 American) put their offensive firepower on full display Saturday, Nov. 22, routing the UAB Blazers (3-8, 1-6 American) 48-18 at Protective Stadium. The victory, fueled by an opportunistic defense and a record-breaking performance from its star quarterback, gave USF its eighth win of the season—the program’s best record since 2017—and kept them on track for a potential 10-win season.
South Florida’s explosive offense, which entered the game ranked fourth nationally in total offense and fifth in scoring, posted its seventh 500-plus yard game of the year, finishing with 544 total yards.
Brown’s Dominance Continues
Quarterback Byrum Brown was the catalyst for the entire offensive effort, delivering a masterful performance that showcased why he leads the nation in points responsible for.
- Five Total Touchdowns: Brown accounted for five total scores, matching his career high. He threw for three touchdowns and added two more on the ground.
- A New Program Mark: Completing 19 of 25 passes (76%) for a season-high 353 yards, Brown set a new program record with his 11th 200-yard-plus passing game of the season. His 416 total yards marked his seventh consecutive game accounting for over 300 yards.
- Explosive Strikes: Brown found wide receiver Mudia Reuben for the two biggest plays of the day—touchdowns of 60 and 59 yards. Reuben, a senior, had a career day with five catches for 174 yards, the sixth-best receiving yardage total in program history.
Defense and Dominance After the First
While the Bulls’ offense exploded, their defense and special teams set the table for the rout. After trailing UAB 10-7 at the end of the first quarter, the Bulls went on a commanding 27-0 run across the second and third periods.
The defense, which entered the game ranking eighth nationally in turnovers collected, notched three crucial interceptions on the day. Safety Fred Gaskin started the turnover spree with an interception on the Blazers’ opening possession, immediately setting up a short field that led to Brown’s first rushing touchdown. The consistent pressure and timely picks helped USF win the turnover battle and mitigate UAB’s attempts to control the clock (UAB held the time of possession advantage 38:08 to 21:52).
On the ground, running back Nykahi Davenport added to the offensive success with his first career 100-yard game, racking up 121 rushing yards and a touchdown on just 17 carries.
The win secures the program’s first season of eight wins or better since 2017, and with one regular-season game remaining before their third consecutive bowl appearance, the Bulls are firmly focused on achieving only the third 10-win season in program history.
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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