TAMPA, Fla. — In an electrifying season opener, the South Florida Bulls showcased their prowess on the field, defeating the No. 25 Boise State Broncos with an impressive score of 34-7. Quarterback Byrum Brown led the charge, scoring two rushing touchdowns, while Keshaun Singleton made headlines with a remarkable 45-yard touchdown reception on a cleverly executed fake punt. This victory marks the first time South Florida has triumphed over a Top 25 opponent since their thrilling win against then-No. 22 Navy on October 28, 2016, breaking an 18-game losing streak against ranked teams.
South Florida's head coach Alex Golesh expressed pride in his team's performance, stating, “I told our team last night that this is going to be a display of our identity.” He highlighted the dedication of the senior players, many of whom have faced significant challenges throughout their college careers, some even entering their sixth year at the university.
Quarterback Byrum Brown completed 16 of 24 passes for a total of 210 yards and added 43 rushing yards to his impressive tally. Running back Cartevious Norton contributed an 8-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, further solidifying South Florida's dominance. In addition to Singleton's standout performance, who recorded five receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown, Chas Nimrod also shone brightly with 96 receiving yards.
On the other side of the field, Boise State's quarterback Maddux Madsen struggled to find rhythm, completing 25 of 46 attempts for 225 yards, including a touchdown pass to Chris Marshall. The Broncos faced significant challenges, losing three fumbles and failing to convert on fourth down three times while in South Florida territory. Leading receiver for Boise State, Latrell Caples, managed four catches for 58 yards.
Reflecting on the game, Boise State coach Spencer Danielson commented, “Whoever wins the turnover margin and wins the explosive battle, it’s like 98% of the time you win the game — college or NFL.” He noted that his team lacked the necessary explosiveness on offense, emphasizing the need for introspection and improvement.
The loss will likely push Boise State out of the Top 25 rankings, and they will need to perform exceptionally well to re-enter playoff discussions. The Broncos have a chance to regain momentum as they prepare to host Eastern Washington on September 5. Meanwhile, South Florida is set to face two more ranked opponents, Florida and Miami, before their conference schedule kicks off, beginning with a matchup against Florida on September 6.
One of the game’s pivotal moments came when South Florida faced a fourth down at the Boise State 45-yard line. Coach Golesh opted for a daring fake punt, calling upon backup quarterback Locklan Hewlett to execute the play. The freshman successfully connected with Singleton, who evaded three tackles to score, a move that left the Broncos unprepared. Danielson admitted, “We didn’t see that in time and that’s on me…We didn’t execute the right way.”
In his post-game press conference, Coach Golesh took a moment to honor the late Amir Abdul-Rahim, the former South Florida basketball coach who passed away on October 24, 2024, due to complications from a medical procedure. Abdul-Rahim had an impactful season, leading the Bulls to a school-record 25 wins and an AAC regular-season championship in his only year as coach. Golesh quoted him, stating, “This ain’t the same old South Florida anymore,” a sentiment that resonates deeply with the current team’s aspirations.
As the season unfolds, both South Florida and Boise State have significant challenges ahead, each aiming for a successful campaign and a shot at glory in their respective conferences.
