South Florida showcased their explosive offense and opportunistic defense, overcoming early turnovers to crush North Texas 63-36, thanks to a game-changing 3.5-minute scoring spree that flipped the script and handed the Mean Green their first loss.
The highly anticipated clash between the No. 24 South Florida Bulls and the undefeated North Texas Mean Green promised fireworks, but few could have predicted the sheer speed and ferocity of USF’s second-half explosion. In a dramatic turn of events on Friday night in Denton, Texas, the Bulls unleashed a scoring onslaught, notching four touchdowns in a breathtaking 3.5-minute span to transform a one-score deficit into an insurmountable lead, ultimately securing a 63-36 victory and delivering North Texas its first loss of the season.
The Pre-Halftime Catalyst: A Muff That Changed Everything
Entering halftime, the Bulls found themselves in a familiar yet precarious position. Despite their high-scoring reputation, early sloppy play had led to three turnovers – two fumbles and an interception by quarterback Byrum Brown – putting them down 21-14 with less than a minute remaining in the second quarter. However, a critical special teams blunder by North Texas provided the spark USF desperately needed.
With 51 seconds left, a booming punt from USF’s Chase Leon bounced off the hands of North Texas wide receiver Miles Coleman. USF safety Cedrick Hawkins Jr. pounced on the muffed return, instantly shifting momentum. This unexpected takeaway set the stage for one of the most remarkable scoring barrages in recent college football memory, highlighting the importance of every play, even those late in a half.
USF’s Unprecedented 210-Second Touchdown Spree
The recovery of the muffed punt ignited a series of events that would define the game. The Bulls, known for their fast-paced offense, capitalized immediately, scoring four touchdowns across the late second and early third quarters in just 3.5 minutes of game time. This rapid-fire assault not only erased their deficit but established a commanding lead that North Texas could not recover from.
- Touchdown No. 1 (0:02 left in Q2): Capitalizing on the muffed punt, Byrum Brown swiftly led the Bulls downfield. With two seconds and no timeouts remaining, Brown connected with tight end Jonathan Echols on a 2-yard touchdown pass, tying the game at 21-21 as the half expired. This bold play, rather than kneeling or attempting a field goal, signaled USF’s aggressive mindset.
- Touchdown No. 2 (13:51 left in Q3): USF wasted no time after the break. On their first possession of the second half, they stunned North Texas with a trick play. Receiver Christian Neptune took an end-around handoff and uncorked a 29-yard pass to fellow receiver Keshaun Singleton, who dove into the end zone for a score, putting USF up 28-21. This audacious play underscored coach Alex Golesh’s confidence in his team’s versatility.
- Touchdown No. 3 (12:35 left in Q3): The Mean Green’s ensuing drive quickly turned disastrous. Just three plays later, USF safety Fred Gaskin intercepted North Texas quarterback Drew Mestemaker, returning it 27 yards to the Mean Green 15-yard line. Running back Sam Franklin then punched it in from 11 yards out, extending the lead to 35-21.
- Touchdown No. 4 (11:35 left in Q3): The momentum continued to snowball. On North Texas’s very next drive, USF’s defense forced another turnover, jarring the ball loose on a shallow crosser. Linebacker Jha’Lyn Shuler scooped it up and returned it 34 yards for a score, making it 42-21. Shuler’s celebratory antics earned an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, but it was a minor footnote in the Bulls’ dominant display.
Brown’s Masterclass and Golesh’s Defensive Strategy
At the heart of USF’s offensive juggernaut was quarterback Byrum Brown, who delivered a stellar performance for the second consecutive game, accounting for five touchdowns. He threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more scores, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities. Brown completed 22 of 28 passes for 245 yards and added 82 yards on 21 carries. Despite his early turnovers, Brown’s resilience and ability to command the offense were crucial. Reflecting on his mistakes, Brown stated, “mistakes and turnovers by me. But clean those up and should be more than 60 (points), should be 70-plus every game,” highlighting his high expectations for the team’s scoring potential.
Credit must also go to USF coach Alex Golesh and his defensive unit. “We came out of the half just rocking, and that’s offense and defense,” Golesh remarked. “Defensively, to cause four turnovers against a really good offense, against a really good quarterback that hasn’t turned it over, I thought really intentional by what our guys practiced, what our guys’ mindset was going into the game.” Indeed, forcing three interceptions from Mestemaker, who had previously thrown 11 touchdowns without a single pick this season, demonstrated the Bulls’ targeted and effective defensive scheme.
North Texas’s Uncharacteristic Collapse
For North Texas, the game was a devastating end to what had been their best start since 1959. The Mean Green entered the contest 5-0, a streak not seen in Denton in decades, stirring immense excitement among fans. The game was played in front of a sellout crowd of 31,386 at DATCU Stadium, though many stands emptied in the fourth quarter as USF pulled away. Mean Green third-year coach Eric Morris expressed his disappointment, stating, “I’ll beat myself up for a long time over this one, just because it was such a great opportunity for our fans, our program, our university, on national TV.”
Quarterback Drew Mestemaker, a redshirt freshman who never started a varsity game in high school, had been a revelation, throwing 11 touchdowns without an interception through the first five games. Against USF, however, he faced immense pressure, finishing 30-of-46 passing for 326 yards and two touchdowns but throwing three crucial interceptions. The Mean Green, who came into the game with only three total turnovers all season and a plus-1.6 turnover margin that rivaled Alabama’s, committed five turnovers against the Bulls, including the game-altering muffed punt.
The Takeaway: USF’s Resilient, High-Powered Attack
The South Florida Bulls (5-1, 2-0 American) continue to establish themselves as a force in the AAC. Their fast-paced offense has been prolific, scoring 229 points in their past four games (an average of 57.3 per game) this season, and 267 points (53.4 ppg) in their last five conference games dating back to last season. This victory marks the second consecutive Friday night where USF overcame multiple early turnovers (two fumbles and an interception before halftime) to secure a lopsided win, having beaten Charlotte 54-26 last week.
Golesh acknowledged the early mistakes, stating, “things like that, when you’re playing high-level football are going to cost you. And the crazy thing is, for the last two weeks, it hasn’t in terms of the wins and losses.” This win against a previously undefeated opponent, especially after overcoming self-inflicted wounds, further solidifies USF’s standing and suggests they are a team capable of contending for the American Athletic Conference title. The Bulls have forced four turnovers in each of their last two games, leading Golesh to commend, “I love the way that we created eight turnovers in these us two weeks to create an eight extra possessions.”
The Mean Green (5-1, 1-1 American), despite the devastating loss, still hold a respectable record. They will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to host UTSA on October 18th. Meanwhile, the high-flying Bulls will return home to host Florida Atlantic on October 18th, looking to continue their impressive run. For more details on the game, fans can refer to the official Associated Press report on AP News and the game recap on Yahoo Sports.
