By Adrian Beecher
South Florida opened its season with authority, taking down No. 25 Boise State in a dominant 34–7 performance that has the Bulls suddenly on the national radar. From the opening snap, USF dictated the tempo and never let the Broncos find their footing.
Bulls Set the Tone Early
The energy in Raymond James Stadium was electric, and the Bulls wasted no time feeding off it. Linebacker Mac Harris jarred the ball loose on Boise State’s opening possession, and Jhalyn Shuler jumped on it to hand USF the momentum before the first drive had even settled. That takeaway set the tone for a defense that hounded the Broncos all night.
Brown Returns in Command
Quarterback Byrum Brown, back from a season cut short by injury, looked every bit the leader USF needs. He completed 16 of 24 passes for 210 yards and added 43 yards on the ground with two rushing touchdowns. Brown’s poise and balance between the pass and the run gave the Bulls steady control of the game.
Trick Play Ignites the Crowd
Perhaps the highlight of the night came on special teams. Facing a fourth down, USF lined up to punt, only for freshman quarterback Locklan Hewlett to take the snap and fire a 45-yard touchdown pass to Keshaun Singleton. The trick play blew the game wide open, sending the crowd into a frenzy and leaving Boise stunned.
Playmakers Shine and Defense Dominates
The Bulls offense was sharp and balanced. Chas Nimrod hauled in 96 receiving yards while Singleton added 93 and the touchdown from Hewlett. The defense backed it up by forcing three fumbles, stopping Boise State on four fourth-down attempts, and holding the Broncos to a single score despite giving up yardage between the 20s. Shuler was everywhere, finishing with 14 tackles and a tackle for loss. His effort earned him American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Broncos Miss Their Chances
Boise State quietly finished with more first downs and more total yards, but those numbers meant little. Mistakes, turnovers, and missed opportunities doomed the Broncos, who could not match USF’s energy or execution. Afterward, head coach Spencer Danielson admitted his team was outplayed from start to finish.
Final Word
This was more than an upset. It was a statement. South Florida didn’t just beat a ranked opponent, it controlled them in every phase of the game. For a program looking to prove it belongs back in the national conversation, this win could be the spark that defines the season.
