Photo Credit: Bobby Carter NGSC Sports
0
0
The USF Bulls celebrated Halloween with a frightening start before delivering a defensive nightmare for the UAB Blazers. After falling behind 10-0, USF scored 30 unanswered points to secure an impressive 30-10 victory. The Bulls struggled throughout the opening quarter before their defense completely changed the game’s direction.
USF entered the contest wearing all-black uniforms, including black helmets, to celebrate Halloween. Meanwhile, UAB wore white jerseys, gold pants, and gold helmets. Cloudy skies and the possibility of rain greeted both teams. However, the announced atmosphere lacked the energy of a typical college football Saturday. A sparse crowd watched the Bulls overcome their early struggles and eventually take control.
The Bulls won the opening coin toss and elected to defer until the second half. Unfortunately, that decision allowed UAB to establish its offense immediately. The Blazers attacked USF’s defense with a strong rushing attack and several successful passing plays.
UAB running back Roderick Robinson II opened the scoring with a rushing touchdown. Quarterback Ryder Burton delivered an excellent block to help Robinson reach the end zone. The touchdown gave UAB an early 7-0 advantage and immediately placed pressure on the Bulls.
Meanwhile, USF struggled with penalties, missed tackles, and questionable offensive decisions. Frustrated fans began booing as the Bulls continued making costly mistakes. One particularly frustrating decision came on fourth-and-one. Instead of running for the necessary yard, USF attempted a pass and failed to convert.
UAB capitalized on USF’s mistakes and continued controlling the opening quarter. Kicker Jonah Delange connected on a 30-yard field goal, extending the Blazers’ advantage to 10-0. The first quarter ended with UAB firmly controlling the momentum. However, everything changed during the second quarter.
USF Finds Its Offensive Rhythm
UAB had an opportunity to extend its lead with another field goal attempt. However, the Blazers missed the kick, giving USF an opportunity to reverse the momentum. The Bulls also made a quarterback change during the second quarter. Luke Kromenhoek entered the game and immediately provided a spark with his mobility. His 42-yard run became USF’s biggest offensive play of the first half.
Kromenhoek’s ability to escape pressure helped the Bulls generate much-needed offensive momentum. Additionally, his rushing ability forced UAB’s defense to account for another offensive threat. USF finally reached the scoreboard with 5:03 remaining before halftime. Kicker Nico Gramatica converted a field goal, cutting UAB’s advantage to 10-3.
The Bulls continued building momentum as their offense began finding success. Running back Jason Collins Jr. scored USF’s first touchdown with a rushing effort. Gramatica added the extra point, tying the contest at 10-10. Suddenly, the Bulls looked completely different from the team that struggled throughout the opening quarter. However, USF’s defense delivered the biggest momentum-changing play before halftime.
The Bulls pressured Burton and delivered a blindside hit that forced a fumble. Asani Redwood recovered the loose football and returned it for a touchdown. The defensive score gave USF its first lead at 17-10. The turnaround stunned UAB after its impressive opening quarter. USF entered halftime with a seven-point advantage and the opportunity to receive the second-half kickoff.
Bulls Defense Takes Complete Control
USF continued its momentum after halftime, while UAB struggled to generate any meaningful offensive production. Gramatica connected on his second field goal, this time from 30 yards. The successful kick extended USF’s lead to 20-10. More importantly, the Bulls had now scored 20 consecutive points after falling behind by double digits.
Meanwhile, USF’s defense completely shut down UAB’s offense. The Blazers collected five first downs during the opening quarter. However, they managed just one additional first down through the third quarter’s final minutes. With 2:49 remaining in the third quarter, UAB had gained only seven yards since the opening period. Those numbers illustrated how dramatically the contest had changed.
The Blazers dominated the opening 15 minutes, but USF controlled virtually everything afterward. The Bulls improved their tackling, increased their defensive pressure, and eliminated UAB’s offensive rhythm. Additionally, USF’s pass rush continued making life miserable for Burton. Linebacker C.J. Hicks delivered one of the most memorable individual defensive performances in USF history.
Hicks recorded four sacks, tying the program’s single-game record. Former USF defensive standout George Selvie established that record on September 1, 2007. Hicks matched Selvie’s remarkable achievement while helping the Bulls dominate the line of scrimmage. His performance highlighted a defense that refused to surrender momentum after its difficult opening quarter.
Another Defensive Touchdown Seals the Victory
The Bulls weren’t finished creating defensive highlights. USF forced another strip sack, producing its second defensive touchdown of the afternoon. Linebacker Grayson “Pup” Howard recovered the fumble and returned it for a touchdown. The score extended USF’s advantage to 27-10 and effectively ended UAB’s comeback hopes. Remarkably, the Bulls had now recorded strip-sack touchdowns in consecutive games.
USF’s defense also continued an impressive two-game stretch. According to the game’s defensive notes, the unit scored 20 points across those contests. Additionally, the defense surrendered just 12 points during that span. Those numbers demonstrate the impact of a defense capable of scoring while preventing opponents from finding the end zone. UAB continued searching for answers during the fourth quarter. However, the Blazers couldn’t overcome their offensive struggles or USF’s relentless defensive pressure.
The Blazers missed another field goal attempt, leaving the Bulls comfortably ahead 27-10 with 8:01 remaining. The missed opportunity represented UAB’s afternoon perfectly. After an impressive opening quarter, nearly everything went wrong for the visitors. Meanwhile, Gramatica continued his excellent performance. The USF kicker converted his third field goal, extending the Bulls’ advantage to 30-10. His three successful kicks provided important points throughout USF’s comeback. The Bulls maintained that advantage through the final whistle, completing their remarkable turnaround.
A Tale of Two Completely Different Games
Few games demonstrate momentum shifts as dramatically as this matchup. UAB dominated the opening quarter with its running attack, effective blocking, and defensive discipline. Meanwhile, USF struggled with penalties, poor tackling, and questionable offensive execution. However, the Bulls responded with determination rather than allowing their early mistakes to define the afternoon.
Kromenhoek provided an offensive spark, while Collins helped establish the running game. Gramatica delivered three field goals, giving USF reliable production whenever drives stalled. Nevertheless, the defense deserves the most recognition. Hicks tied a historic sack record, while Redwood and Howard each scored defensive touchdowns. The Bulls also forced turnovers and completely eliminated UAB’s offensive momentum. After allowing 10 points during the opening quarter, USF prevented UAB from scoring again.
That defensive turnaround ultimately decided the contest. The victory also demonstrated the importance of making adjustments throughout a football game. USF looked overwhelmed early, but the Bulls refused to allow their mistakes to continue. Instead, they increased their defensive intensity and took advantage of UAB’s missed opportunities.
The most encouraging development involved USF’s ability to create points without relying entirely on its offense. Defensive touchdowns can completely change games, especially when an offense struggles to establish consistency. USF proved that point twice against UAB. Still, the Bulls must address their slow starts and unnecessary penalties moving forward. Stronger opponents could make overcoming similar early deficits considerably more difficult.
The offensive coaching staff must also evaluate its short-yardage decisions. Converting manageable situations remains essential against disciplined defenses. However, the Bulls can celebrate another impressive defensive performance. USF turned a 10-point deficit into a commanding 20-point victory. The Bulls scored 30 unanswered points and dominated the final three quarters. Final Score: USF Bulls 30, UAB Blazers 10.
Halloween brought plenty of scares for USF during the opening quarter. However, the Bulls eventually delivered the biggest fright of the afternoon. For UAB, the nightmare began when USF’s defense took over. For the Bulls, Halloween ended with another victory and a defensive performance worth remembering.
Author Profile
-
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.
Latest entries
NCAAFNovember 1, 2026 at 12:08 amUSF Bulls Rally Past UAB 30-10 Behind Dominant Defense
NCAAFNovember 1, 2026 at 12:08 amGeorgia Dominates Florida in Halloween Rivalry Showdown
High School FootballNovember 1, 2026 at 12:07 amPinellas Football: Final Friday Brings Drama and Dominance
High School FootballNovember 1, 2026 at 12:03 amCCC Marauders Crush Clearwater 44-0 in Rivalry Showdown
About the Author
