To start off the 2024 season, the South Florida Bulls hosted the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. With high expectations entering the year, the Bulls knew what had to be done to come out on top and finish the game with a 1-0 record.
Offense
Offensively, there was not much that the Bulls could not accomplish. Whether it was through the air or on the ground, USF found success almost everywhere while possessing the ball.
On the ground, the Bulls surpassed 200 rushing yards – 231 to be exact, with five touchdowns.
Leading the way was Running Back Kelley Joiner Jr. The veteran ball carrier pounded the rock 14 times for 78 yards and two touchdowns.
Additionally, Quarterback Byrum Brown ran the ball eight times for 74 yards and one touchdown. Running Backs Nay’Quan Wight and Ta’Ron Keith both also found their ways into the endzone.
.@byrumbrown17 with the first tuddy of the season 🫸🤛
— USF Football (@USFFootball) August 31, 2024
📺: @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/B9bLQ6dYbh
To go along with his 74 rushing yards, Byrum Brown also completed 13 of his 20 passing attempts for a total of 152 yards. Second-String Quarterback, Bryce Archie, completed two thirds of his passes for 20 yards through the air with one touchdown.
The Bulls had seven players with at least one catch in Saturday’s game. Purdue Transfer, Wide Receiver Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen, hauled in five receptions for 73 yards which was the most of any Bull in both categories.
Fan Favorite, Wide Receiver Sean Atkins, caught four passes for 42 yards.
WR Michael Brown-Stephens also caught two passes, one was a 15 yard touchdown from QB Bryce Archie. RB Nay’Quan Wright and WRs Joshua Porter, Josh Hardeman, and JeyQuan Smith all recorded one catch as well.
After review, QB Archie’s TD pass to WR Michael Brown-Stephens is confirmed!
— SoFloBulls (@SoFloBulls) September 1, 2024
Bulls lead is now 48-3.
Defense
The South Florida defense had one heck of a night. Allowing just three points during the game, the Bulls’ defense got the job done at every level.
Linebackers Mac Harris and Rodney Hill lead the team with seven total tackles each.
The Bulls recorded three sacks and an impressive 16 tackles for loss. Each having one sack was Defensive Ends Dinellson Exume and Ira Singleton.
Defensive Lineman Rico Watson III had himself an outstanding game with four of the team’s tackles for loss. Linebacker Jhalyn Shuler and Safety D’Marco Augustin each had one interception.
Bulls newcomer D'Marco Augustin with the INT of a tipped Cam'ron Ransom pass. Bulls in business at Bethune 15
— Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) September 1, 2024
What’s Next?
On Saturday, September 7th, 2024, South Florida will take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Looking for redemption from last year’s close game, you’ll have to tune in to see if the Bulls can get the job done against the 5th ranked team in the country.
Game Week Central ➖ USFhttps://t.co/Qr2CQ7qEAE#RollTide pic.twitter.com/xP6PF2bwOx
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) September 2, 2024