Eric Boggs 
USF celebrates after defeating rival FAU.
South Florida turned the tables on FAU Friday night with a resounding 44-21 victory, showcasing a dominant second half that earned the Bulls their second straight American Athletic Conference win and improved their season record to 4-4. The game in Boca Raton saw junior quarterback Bryce Archie lead a relentless offensive surge and a stifling defensive stand, signaling a decisive payback from last year’s 56-14 blowout loss to FAU.
The Bulls, coming off their second bye week, faced off against FAU (2-6) with added motivation. Last season, FAU head coach Tom Herman’s team left no stone unturned in a crushing win, going so far as to attempt an onside kick and convert on fourth down late in the game, despite holding a commanding lead. Herman’s pregame comments hinted at an ongoing rivalry, declaring, “We don’t like them, and I hope they don’t like us.” This year, however, it was USF that walked off the field victorious, fueled by an explosive run game, a program-record-tying seven sacks, and strategic plays that kept FAU’s defense scrambling.
The game started with FAU drawing first blood as CJ Campbell Jr. broke loose for a 30-yard touchdown run, putting the Owls up 14-7 at halftime. The Bulls’ offense initially struggled, but momentum shifted after the break. In a stunning third quarter, USF scored on six consecutive possessions, including five touchdowns and a field goal, while the Bulls’ defense forced FAU into repeated three-and-outs and turnovers. Nay’Quan Wright led the ground game, rushing for 117 yards and a touchdown, while teammates Kelley Joiner and Ta’Ron Keith added a combined 170 yards and two more scores. Archie, in his third career start, posted 206 passing yards, two touchdowns, and a short dive that tied the game early in the third quarter.
FAU briefly reclaimed the lead at 21-14 with Campbell’s 64-yard touchdown catch, but that was the last time they found the end zone. Archie’s connection to Sean Atkins for an 18-yard touchdown tied the game, and John Cannon’s 34-yard field goal soon after put the Bulls ahead for good. A relentless USF defense, featuring standout efforts from Bernard Gooden and DJ Gordon, delivered crucial stops, including a forced fumble that led to a touchdown. With each possession, USF’s confidence grew, capping their scoring with a 42-yard Keith burst that sealed the 44-21 win.
Beyond the field, the rivalry lingered as tensions flared post-game. As USF head coach Alex Golesh went for a brief handshake, Herman’s frustration was evident, following Golesh in a heated exchange. Golesh downplayed the moment afterward, simply affirming, “We came back to get it, and we got it.”
USF’s standout performances included 319 rushing yards and a defense that amassed seven sacks and 13 tackles for loss, suffocating FAU’s offense in the second half. With a now even 4-4 record, the Bulls turn their focus to a Homecoming game against Navy on Nov. 9, where they’ll break ground on their new on-campus stadium, marking a new chapter for the program. FAU, meanwhile, faces a tough road ahead, as Herman’s squad holds a 2-6 record with only one FBS win this season.
For USF, the victory was sweet redemption, marking a pivotal step forward in their American Athletic Conference journey.
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