Photo Credit: Bobby Carter NGSC Sports
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The South Florida Bulls returned to Raymond James Stadium Saturday night looking to rebound from a heartbreaking loss to UTSA. However, their Homecoming matchup against Kent State started with an unexpected twist.
The Golden Flashes struck first, but USF eventually took control behind its defense. The Bulls defeated Kent State 29-2, improving to 5-2 on the season.
Head coach Brian Hartline watched his team overcome a sluggish offensive start. Meanwhile, the defense delivered the game’s biggest play and kept Kent State out of the end zone.
The victory also gave USF something positive to build upon before returning to American Conference competition.
Kent State vs. South Florida
Raymond James Stadium • Tampa, FL
Kent State
2-5
2
Final
Today
29
South Florida
5-2
|
Team |
Q1 |
Q2 |
Q3 |
Q4 |
T |
|
KENT |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
USF |
0 |
10 |
7 |
12 |
29 |
Kent State Strikes First With a Safety
USF entered the contest as the favorite, but its offense struggled during the opening quarter.
Kent State’s defense created the game’s first scoring opportunity late in the period.
Running back D.J. Crowther lost three yards on a rushing attempt near his own goal line. The play resulted in a safety with 1:52 remaining.
Suddenly, Kent State held a surprising 2-0 advantage.
The Golden Flashes had accomplished something few expected before kickoff. They grabbed the early lead against a South Florida team seeking its fifth victory.
However, the Bulls needed one defensive play to completely change the game’s direction.
C.J. Hicks Delivers the Turning Point
Early in the second quarter, USF’s defense produced the game’s most important moment.
Kent State quarterback Dru DeShields lost the football during a rushing attempt.
USF defensive standout C.J. Hicks recovered the fumble and raced 96 yards for a touchdown.
Nico Gramatica converted the extra point, giving South Florida a 7-2 lead with 12:32 remaining.
The defensive touchdown completely changed the momentum.
Instead of allowing Kent State to extend its lead, the Bulls turned a turnover into seven points.
Hicks provided exactly the spark South Florida needed after its frustrating opening quarter.
Furthermore, his touchdown allowed the offense additional time to settle into the game.
The Bulls continued protecting their advantage throughout the second quarter.
Gramatica connected on a 49-yard field goal with five seconds remaining before halftime.
South Florida entered the locker room holding a 10-2 lead.
Luke Kromenhoek Extends the Lead
The third quarter featured another important development for Hartline’s offense.
South Florida finally put together a sustained touchdown drive.
The Bulls marched 73 yards across 15 plays, consuming eight minutes and 30 seconds.
Quarterback Luke Kromenhoek finished the possession with a one-yard touchdown run.
Gramatica added the extra point, extending USF’s advantage to 17-2 with 54 seconds remaining.
The lengthy possession demonstrated South Florida’s ability to control the football.
More importantly, it prevented Kent State from finding opportunities to regain momentum.
Kromenhoek’s touchdown also highlighted the different options available within Hartline’s quarterback rotation.
Michael Van Buren Jr. remained an important part of the offense. However, Kromenhoek provided another scoring option near the goal line.
South Florida entered the fourth quarter with a comfortable advantage.
Van Buren Connects With Seldon
USF delivered another offensive highlight early in the fourth quarter.
Van Buren connected with wide receiver Cameron Seldon for a 36-yard touchdown.
The scoring play capped a five-play, 65-yard drive that consumed just 2:43.
Gramatica converted another extra point, extending the lead to 24-2 with 10:58 remaining.
Seldon’s touchdown provided the explosive passing play South Florida needed.
Van Buren had struggled to generate consistent offensive production during portions of the contest. Nevertheless, his touchdown connection helped put the game beyond Kent State’s reach.
The Bulls eventually added five more points to complete their 29-2 victory.
Kent State never scored again after its first-quarter safety.
Defense Carries the Bulls
Although USF won comfortably, the defense deserves considerable credit for the outcome.
Hicks delivered the defining play with his 96-yard fumble return.
Meanwhile, linebacker Grayson “Pup” Howard continued providing leadership in the middle of the defense.
Defensive end M. Williams II also contributed pressure against Kent State’s offense.
The Golden Flashes struggled to turn their offensive possessions into points.
Quarterback Dru DeShields faced a South Florida defense determined to prevent another disappointing result.
Kent State entered the contest hoping to challenge a bigger opponent on the road.
Instead, the Golden Flashes watched their early advantage disappear.
USF’s defense prevented Kent State from scoring an offensive touchdown throughout the evening.
That performance should encourage Hartline as the Bulls prepare for more conference opponents.
A Victory With Room for Improvement
Despite the 27-point victory, South Florida still has offensive questions to address.
The Bulls struggled during the first quarter and needed Hicks’ defensive touchdown to seize control.
Additionally, their offense failed to establish immediate consistency against a Kent State team that entered with a 2-4 record.
Crowther, Van Buren, Kromenhoek, and Seldon all remain important pieces moving forward.
However, the Bulls must develop greater consistency against stronger conference opponents.
Their previous defeat against UTSA demonstrated how quickly missed opportunities can change a game.
South Florida led the Roadrunners late before suffering a 31-24 defeat.
Saturday’s victory offered a different result, but Hartline will undoubtedly want more offensive production.
Still, winning remains the most important objective.
The Bulls improved to 5-2 overall, while Kent State fell to 2-5.
South Florida also moved within one victory of bowl eligibility.
For Hartline, Saturday’s performance offered reasons for optimism and areas requiring improvement.
The defense showed its ability to take control of a football game. Meanwhile, the offense eventually produced the necessary scoring drives.
USF celebrated Homecoming with another victory at Raymond James Stadium.
Now, the Bulls must carry that momentum into the remaining American Conference schedule.
The final score looked comfortable, but South Florida’s defense deserves much of the credit.
The Bulls won 29-2, and C.J. Hicks delivered the play that changed everything.
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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