Photo Credit: Sofascore
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South Florida opens October with a familiar American Conference opponent. The Bulls host Temple on Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Eastern time. ESPNU will carry the game nationally. USF enters the matchup with a perfect 4-0 record. Temple enters at 1-3 after a difficult September. However, records do not always tell the entire story. Temple has already played several competitive games this season. Now, the Owls get another chance to change their season’s direction. For USF, the game carries even greater importance. The Bulls officially begin the heart of their American Conference schedule.
USF Enters Conference Play Rolling
USF enters the game after four straight victories. The Bulls opened the season with a 19-9 win over FIU. Next, they traveled to Army and won 28-24. USF then dominated Delaware State by a 59-17 score. The Bulls finished September with a 14-6 victory at Bowling Green. That final game showed both sides of the USF identity. The defense carried the Bulls through a difficult offensive performance. Bowling Green managed only six points in the loss. USF also recorded six sacks in the game.
The Bulls then produced two fourth-quarter touchdown drives. D.J. Crowther continued his strong start with 143 rushing yards. He also scored one touchdown on 23 carries. Meanwhile, Michael Van Buren Jr. helped USF finish the comeback. Now, the Bulls need better offensive consistency against Temple. Head coach Brian Hartline knows conference games demand a different level. USF already played its first conference game against Army. The Bulls won that matchup on the road. Therefore, Temple represents USF’s first American Conference home game.
Temple Comes to Tampa Looking for a Turnaround
Temple enters Saturday’s game with a 1-3 record. The Owls started the season with a 38-14 win over Rhode Island. However, the schedule became much tougher afterward. Temple lost 27-9 against Penn State. The Owls then suffered a heartbreaking 49-48 overtime loss at Toledo. Temple also lost 21-17 against Army on September 25. That Army game came down to the final minutes. The Black Knights scored the winning touchdown with 1:41 remaining. Temple now faces another difficult road test. The Owls have shown enough to create problems for USF. Temple’s running game averages 220.3 yards per game. Quarterback Ajani Sheppard also brings a dual-threat element. The Rutgers transfer stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 230 pounds. USF’s defense must account for his ability as both a runner and passer.
A Series That Has Been Back and Forth
Temple holds the overall series advantage against South Florida. The Owls lead the series 6-4 entering Saturday’s matchup. However, the Bulls have controlled the series in Tampa. USF owns a 4-1 home record against Temple. That includes three straight home victories over the Owls. The Bulls also won the most recent meeting. USF defeated Temple 27-23 in Tampa on November 11, 2023. That game started quickly for the Bulls. USF built a 17-0 first-quarter lead. Temple eventually battled back into the contest.
However, the Bulls held on for the four-point victory. The result also snapped a three-game losing streak against Temple. USF had lost to the Owls in 2018, 2019 and 2022. Those games included several memorable results. Temple won 39-37 in Philadelphia during the 2020 season. The Owls also won 54-28 in Philadelphia in 2022. Earlier in the rivalry, USF produced its largest victory. The Bulls defeated Temple 43-7 in Tampa during the 2017 season. That history gives Saturday’s game another layer.
Defense Could Decide the Game
USF’s defense has become the team’s biggest strength. The Bulls have not allowed a touchdown during their last six quarters. That stretch includes their entire second half against Bowling Green. USF allowed only two field goals against the Falcons. Both scores came after Bowling Green gained favorable field position. The Bulls also created pressure throughout the game. Asani Redwood delivered one of the biggest plays. He stopped a fourth-and-one attempt during the fourth quarter. That play helped swing momentum toward USF. Temple brings a productive rushing attack into Tampa. Therefore, stopping the run becomes a major priority. If USF controls the line, Temple could face long-yardage situations. That would allow the Bulls’ defensive front to attack.
USF Needs More from the Offense
The Bulls cannot rely on their defense every week. USF managed only 214 total yards against Bowling Green. The offensive line also struggled with pressure. Bowling Green recorded six sacks during the game. Van Buren finished with seven completions on 11 attempts. He threw for 52 yards and added 13 rushing attempts. USF still found enough offense to win the game. However, Temple could punish similar mistakes. The Bulls need better protection and cleaner execution. Crowther gives USF an important weapon in the running game. He has averaged 6.4 yards per carry through four games. That production could help take pressure off the passing attack. USF also needs to avoid turnovers and drive-killing penalties. Those details could determine whether the Bulls control the game.
Conference Play Takes Center Stage
The timing of this matchup matters for both teams. USF has already opened American play with its win at Army. Now, the Bulls return home for their conference home opener. Temple enters conference play looking to erase its early struggles. Both teams understand the importance of starting October strong. USF also faces a quick turnaround after Saturday. The Bulls travel to UTSA for a Thursday night game next week. That matchup comes just five days after Temple. Therefore, a strong performance against Temple matters beyond one game.
The Bulls want to remain unbeaten while building conference momentum. Temple wants to prove its record does not define this team. The rivalry history adds another reason to watch closely. USF owns the recent victory and the home-field edge. Temple still holds the overall series lead. Now, the next chapter arrives Saturday night in Tampa. And with conference play officially taking center stage, every possession matters.
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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