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The South Florida Bulls hit the road Saturday for their first matchup against Bowling Green since 2002. USF enters the game with a perfect 3-0 record. Bowling Green enters with a 0-3 mark. The Bulls will visit Doyt L. Perry Stadium on Saturday, September 26. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. ESPN+ will carry the game nationally. The matchup also serves as Bowling Green’s Homecoming game. For USF, the game provides another road test under first-year head coach Brian Hartline.
Bulls Enter with Momentum
USF opened the season with a 19-9 victory over FIU. The Bulls then traveled to West Point and stunned Army 28-24. Michael Van Buren Jr. accounted for all four USF touchdowns. Joshua Porter caught the winning touchdown with only 19 seconds remaining. USF returned home last Saturday against Delaware State. The Bulls dominated the second half and rolled to a 59-17 victory. They finished with 611 total yards. D.J. Crowther led the rushing attack with 101 yards and three touchdowns. Van Buren also delivered another strong performance through the air. He completed 23 of 32 passes for 300 yards and one touchdown. Porter added eight catches for 106 yards and one touchdown. The victory gave USF its first 3-0 start since 2018. It also marked the 10th 3-0 start in program history. Now, the Bulls face their second road game of the season.
Bowling Green Searches for a Breakthrough
Bowling Green has experienced a difficult opening stretch this season. The Falcons opened with a 28-27 loss to Tarleton State. They then traveled to Nebraska and suffered another defeat. Last Saturday, Bowling Green faced Iowa State in Ames. The Cyclones overwhelmed the Falcons 55-7 in a game that quickly got away. Bowling Green managed only 186 total yards in the loss. The Falcons produced 96 passing yards and 90 rushing yards. Quarterback Jay Kastantin completed 11 passes for 97 yards. Winn Sharp provided Bowling Green’s lone touchdown with a 59-yard reception. Iowa State also dominated the ground game. The Cyclones rushed for 365 yards and finished with 507 total yards. Bowling Green struggled to sustain drives throughout the afternoon. The Falcons converted only two of 12 third-down opportunities. However, Bowling Green now returns home for Homecoming. That setting could provide the Falcons with additional energy.
A Look Back at 2002
Saturday’s 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. The Bulls won that game by a 29-7 score. USF controlled the matchup and finished with the only victory between the programs. Saturday will mark Bowling Green’s first-time hosting USF. The Falcons will try to even the series on their home field. The teams will meet again in Tampa during the 2030 season. That game will take place at USF’s new on-campus stadium. Therefore, Saturday’s contest begins a new chapter between the programs.
What USF Must Do
USF enters with confidence after three different types of victories. The Bulls won a defensive battle against FIU. They then rallied past Army in a dramatic conference opener. Finally, they pulled away from Delaware State with a dominant offensive showing. That balance gives Hartline’s team plenty to build upon. The Bulls also have created opportunities without turning the football over. USF has committed only one turnover through three games. The Bulls have also scored 106 points during their 3-0 start. Still, the Bulls cannot overlook Bowling Green. The Falcons have already faced Nebraska and Iowa State. Those games provided experience against Power Four competition. Bowling Green also scored first against Iowa State before the Cyclones took control. That early success shows the Falcons can create explosive plays.
Road Challenge Awaits
USF enters Saturday with plenty of momentum. Bowling Green enters the game searching for its first victory. Meanwhile, the Falcons will have their home crowd behind them. The Bulls must handle that environment while maintaining their offensive rhythm. Van Buren and the running game will play important roles. The USF defense also needs to limit explosive plays. Sharp’s 59-yard touchdown against Iowa State showed Bowling Green’s big-play potential. Therefore, USF cannot afford to relax after its strong start. Saturday’s game also gives Hartline another chance to develop his team.
The Bulls have already shown they can win close games. They have also shown they can dominate when opportunities arise. Now, USF heads into Bowling Green with a chance to reach 4-0. The Bulls last started 4-0 in 2018. Bowling Green, meanwhile, hopes Homecoming can change its early-season fortunes. The history favors USF, but Saturday will create a completely new challenge. Kickoff arrives at 5 p.m. at Doyt L. Perry Stadium. For the Bulls, another road victory would continue an impressive opening chapter under Hartline.
Hopefully the USF Bulls can have a better first half and play a complete game and move to 4-0 in 2026.
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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