USF football has been through a whirlwind both on and off the field over the past few weeks. After being displaced by Hurricane Milton, the Bulls found themselves uprooted, having to relocate their scheduled game against Memphis to Camping World Stadium in Orlando. The disruption, along with the lingering effects of the storm, clearly impacted the team. USF struggled mightily against Memphis, losing 21-3 in a game where the offense couldn’t find its rhythm, managing only a field goal.
The offensive struggles were glaring, with USF managing just 52 total passing yards and finishing with eight three-and-outs across 14 drives. Bryce Archie, stepping in for the injured Byrum Brown, managed the game as best he could, but the Bulls’ up-tempo offense couldn’t get going. The team’s inability to sustain drives not only affected their chances of scoring but also left the defense on the field for extended periods, wearing them down as Memphis controlled the tempo.
Despite the loss and the difficulties surrounding the hurricane, USF didn’t let the adversity derail their season. The following week, back at Raymond James Stadium, the Bulls displayed incredible resilience, bouncing back with a gritty 35-25 victory over UAB. The win wasn’t without its own challenges. USF trailed 9-7 at halftime and faced boos from frustrated fans as the offense sputtered once again. But in the second half, the team came alive, scoring 28 points to secure their first American Athletic Conference (AAC) victory of the season.
This performance showed flashes of what USF can be when they execute well. Their ability to respond after such a difficult week speaks to the team’s mental toughness and determination. Head coach Alex Golesh emphasized the need for improved execution, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, which has been inconsistent over the last few games. The defense, on the other hand, has been doing its best to keep the Bulls in games, but it can only hold up so long without support from the offense.
While the Bulls’ bowl hopes remain alive, the road ahead is far from easy. The offense needs to find consistency, especially in the running game, which has been virtually non-existent since their 369-yard explosion against Southern Mississippi. In the three games since, the team has managed just 209 rushing yards in total, a far cry from what is needed to control games and give their defense some breathing room. If they can’t fix the issues up front, USF may continue to struggle in the short term.
As the team looks to finish strong, they’ll need to harness the resilience they’ve shown thus far. The next few games will be crucial in determining whether they can reach a bowl game. USF has proven that they can bounce back, but can they sustain that momentum?
What are your thoughts on USF’s season so far? Can they turn things around and make it to a bowl, or will their inconsistencies continue to haunt them?
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