Photo Credit: Bobby Carter NGSC Sports
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A rainy night at Raymond James Stadium did little to slow down the USF Bulls. USF rolled past Delaware State 59-17 on Saturday night. The rain kept the crowd smaller than usual, but the Bulls still provided plenty of excitement. USF entered the game wearing all-green uniforms. The Bulls paired the jerseys with white helmets featuring a special logo design. Meanwhile, Delaware State wore all-white uniforms with baby-blue helmets. The Hornets came into Tampa looking to challenge the Bulls. Instead, USF quickly took control.
The Hornets deferred the opening kickoff, giving the Bulls the first possession. USF needed only four plays to find the end zone. Running back D.J. Crowther finished the drive with a touchdown run. The early score gave the Bulls a 7-0 lead. Delaware State responded with a promising drive. However, the Hornets missed a 47-yard field goal attempt. USF then gave Delaware State a huge opportunity. The Hornets connected on a 90-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at seven. The Bulls did not take long to answer. USF put together another short scoring drive. Crowther finished the possession with his second touchdown of the night. The Bulls ended the first quarter with a 14-7 advantage.
USF Creates Separation
USF’s defense created the game’s first turnover early in the second quarter. The Bulls forced a Delaware State fumble on the Hornets’ side of the field. That gave USF excellent field position for its next drive. The Bulls quickly turned the mistake into points. Quarterback Luke Kromenhoek scrambled for a 10-yard touchdown. His score extended the USF advantage to 21-7. Delaware State answered with another explosive play. Quarterback Ui Ale broke free for a 50-yard run. However, the USF defense tightened near the goal line. The Hornets settled for a 23-yard field goal from Patrick Butler. The kick cut USFs led to 21-10 with four minutes remaining in the half.
The Bulls then made a costly mistake. USF fumbled the football and gave Delaware State another scoring opportunity. The Hornets took advantage before halftime. Ale connected with wide receiver Jaylin Terzado for a 20-yard touchdown. Suddenly, the Bulls’ lead stood at only 21-17. USF needed an answer before halftime. The Bulls delivered once again through Kromenhoek. The quarterback scored his second rushing touchdown of the night. His touchdown gave USF a 28-17 halftime advantage.
Crowther Makes USF History
Delaware State opened the second half with a chance to make things interesting. Instead, the USF defense came through. The Bulls stopped the Hornets on fourth down and forced a turnover on downs. That gave USF another short field. Two plays later, Crowther broke loose. The running back raced 39 yards for his third touchdown of the game. His score pushed USFs led to 35-17. The touchdown also put Crowther in the USF record book. Crowther became the first Bulls player with three rushing touchdowns in a game since Jarred Mangum accomplished the feat against Florida A&M in 2021. Now Crowther has his own three-touchdown performance to remember. USF continued pouring it on after that. Jason Collins Jr. added another rushing touchdown. His five-yard score pushed the Bulls’ advantage to 42-17. USF carried that lead into the fourth quarter.
Bulls Light Up Raymond James Stadium
Before the fourth quarter began, USF created a memorable scene. The stadium lights went dark for a fan light show. Fans used their phone lights to create a special atmosphere around Raymond James Stadium. Then, the Bulls went right back to work. Kromenhoek remained involved early in the fourth quarter. USF continued rotating players while maintaining its offensive pressure. Michael Van Buren Jr. also entered the game at quarterback. Van Buren connected with Joshua Porter for a five-yard touchdown. The score increased USFs led to 49-17. The Bulls continued finding running room. Chase Garnett broke away for a 45-yard rushing touchdown. His explosive run gave USF a commanding 56-17 advantage. USF later added a field goal in the fourth quarter. That final kick completed a 59-17 victory for the Bulls.
Bulls Finish Strong
USF showed plenty of offensive balance throughout the night. The Bulls scored rushing touchdowns with Crowther, Kromenhoek, Collins and Garnett. Van Buren also helped produce a touchdown through the air. Crowther led the way with three rushing touchdowns. Kromenhoek added two rushing scores of his own. The Bulls repeatedly used their rushing attack to wear down Delaware State. The defense also delivered several important moments. USF forced the game’s first turnover and later stopped Delaware State on fourth down. Those plays helped the Bulls regain control after the Hornets cut the lead to four points.
The 59 points also capped a dominant offensive night for USF. Most importantly, the Bulls finished the game without allowing Delaware State’s early momentum to last. USF now turns its attention toward its next challenge. The Bulls hit the road next week for a matchup against Bowling Green. After handling Delaware State 59-17, USF will look to carry that momentum into its next game. The rainy night in Tampa ended with the Bulls celebrating under the lights. Crowther made history, the offense found another gear, and USF walked away with another convincing victory.
This was a dominating win for the USF Bulls as they have one more out of conference game.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida 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 host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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[…] South Florida continued its perfect start with a 59-17 win over Delaware State. The Bulls improved to 3-0 under first-year head coach Brian Hartline. USF dominated the second half after leading 28-17 at halftime. The Bulls finished with 611 total yards and seven rushing touchdowns. D.J. Crowther led the way with three rushing touchdowns. He finished with 101 rushing yards on only eight carries. Crowther also caught two passes for 40 yards. Michael Van Buren Jr. completed 23 of 32 passes for 300 yards. He also threw one touchdown. Joshua Porter caught eight passes for 106 yards and one touchdown. The Bulls now prepare for Bowling Green. […]
[…] matchup carries some history between these programs. USF and Bowling Green have met only once before. That meeting occurred during the 2002 season in Tampa. […]
[…] South Florida heads to Bowling Green for its final nonconference road game. The Bulls visit Doyt L. Perry Stadium on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET. ESPN+ will carry the matchup. […]