By : Jackson James
(Photo/Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images)
The South Florida Bulls walked into The Swamp as heavy underdogs and walked out with one of the biggest wins in program history, toppling No. 13 Florida, 18–16, on a last-second field goal.
South Florida’s performance was a statement: disciplined, explosive at key moments, and unshaken by the spotlight. QB Byrum Brown delivered poise and production, going 23-of-36 for 263 yards and 1 TD, while adding 66 yards on the ground. WR Keshaun Singleton provided the highlight of the night — a 66-yard touchdown that swung momentum in the third quarter. K Nico Gramatica was flawless, connecting on all 3 field goals, including the game-winner as time expired. Team Totals: 391 yards of offense (263 passing, 128 rushing), zero turnovers, and 20 first downs — outgaining Florida in their own house. For a program looking to prove it belongs on the national stage, this win is a turning point. It’s their first SEC road victory and instantly places the Bulls in the national conversation.
Florida was expected to cruise, but inefficiency and missed opportunities told the story. QB DJ Lagway: 23-of-33, 222 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. His 4-yard strike to Eugene Wilson III late in the 4th briefly gave Florida a lead. RB Ja’Kobi Baugh: 18 carries, 93 yards at 5.2 per carry — but the Gators never controlled the ground game. Struggles the team faced were, they settled for field goals on three early trips, finishing just 1-for-4 in the red zone. Defensively, Florida allowed a handful of explosive plays and couldn’t come up with a turnover to shift momentum.
This was more than just a Week 2 upset — it was a program-defining win for South Florida. The Bulls combined explosive offense, clean execution, and clutch special teams to shock a ranked SEC opponent on the road. USF is suddenly one of the season’s surprise storylines at 2–0. Florida must regroup fast, or risk letting one loss snowball into a season-defining setback.