Bulls Open Hartline Era With a Defensive Statement

TAMPA — Brian Hartline’s first game as the head coach of the University of South Florida was never going to be judged solely by style points.There were too many new faces. Too many unanswered questions. Too many unknowns surrounding a program beginning a new chapter.So perhaps the most important thing the Bulls could do Saturday night was simple:

Win. And they did.

USF opened the Hartline era with a hard-fought 19-9 victory over FIU before 41,847 fans at Raymond James Stadium, relying on a defense that forced three turnovers, a kicker who was perfect on four field-goal attempts and an offense that, while hardly spectacular, refused to give the game away.It wasn’t the offensive showcase some expected from a former Ohio State offensive coordinator and elite receivers coach.It was something arguably more valuable for a team featuring 62 newcomers and 19 new starters.

It was disciplined.It was physical.And it was a victory. The Bulls have now won eight consecutive games at Raymond James Stadium. For Hartline, it was also a milestone night. He became the fifth coach in program history to win his USF debut. “Find a way to win, and grow from there,” Hartline said afterward.

That is precisely what the Bulls will do. Because while the scoreboard looked good, the film will offer plenty for Hartline and his staff to correct.

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A Quiet Beginning

The first half was hardly a showcase for offensive fireworks. USF quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr., making his first start for the Bulls, opened the game by completing his first five passes and looked composed in the pocket. But the Bulls couldn’t consistently turn possessions into touchdowns.

Instead, Nico Gramatica became the early star. The junior kicker drilled a 37-yard field goal late in the opening quarter to give USF a 3-0 lead. It was the first score of the Hartline era.

FIU threatened to answer early in the second quarter, but the Bulls defense delivered its first major statement. On fourth-and-2 at the USF 48, defensive back Amarion Fortenberry stopped the FIU running back for a two-yard loss. The turnover on downs gave USF possession at midfield. Five plays later, Gramatica walked onto the field again. This time he drilled a 53-yard field goal. The kick was more than just three points.It was the sixth 50-plus-yard field goal of Gramatica’s career, extending his USF program record.

At halftime, USF led 6-0. It wasn’t pretty. But it was controlled.

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FIU Finally Breaks Through

The Panthers finally found the scoreboard in the third quarter. Robert Czeremcha connected on a 29-yard field goal after a 14-play, 63-yard drive, cutting the Bulls’ lead to 6-3. Suddenly, the game had the feel of a one-possession battle that could swing in either direction. Then came the play that changed it. Late in the third quarter, FIU quarterback JJ Kohl looked toward a receiver screen.

USF defensive back Tayvion Beasley read it perfectly. He jumped the route, intercepted Kohl and returned the ball 25 yards to the FIU 35-yard line.The Bulls had the momentum. They finally had the field position. Now they needed to finish and they did.

Running back D.J. Crowther ripped off consecutive 10-yard runs. Van Buren then connected with tight end Wyatt Sullivan for 12 yards, moving USF toward the goal line. Crowther finished what the defense had started. From the 1-yard line, he followed his offensive line into the end zone. Touchdown, Bulls.

USF led 13-3 with 13:07 remaining. For Crowther, it was his first touchdown as a Bull. “At the end of the day, it just comes down to toughness,” Crowther said afterward.

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Then the D Closed the Door.

The Panthers weren’t finished but neither was the USF defense. On FIU’s next possession, Kohl scrambled for two yards before losing the football with Fortenberry recovering it at the FIU 36 giving the Bulls a short field with Gramatica hitting a 30 yarder. With 1:44 remaining, Gramatica added another from 29 yards making him 4-4 for the day. A career-high four field goals.

“It’s one kick at a time and you’re trying to go 1-0 on every kick,” Gramatica said.On Saturday night, he did exactly that.

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FIU Gets One Last Word

The final score made the game appear closer than it felt. FIU quarterback JJ Kohl engineered a seven-play, 87-yard touchdown drive in the final 1:40, finding James Resar for a 21-yard touchdown as time expired. The Panthers had finally reached the end zone. But it was too late and USF had done enough to secure the win at 19-9. The Bulls had survived their first test under Hartline and the defense had made sure of it.

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The Numbers Don’t Really Tell the Story

The final statistics were unusual for a 10-point victory. FIU actually outgained USF 381-208.The Panthers threw for 301 yards compared with just 100 for the Bulls. Yet USF controlled the game where it mattered most.The Bulls forced three turnovers and committed none.

They also held FIU to just 80 rushing yards and forced eight of the Panthers’ 11 drives to end with either a turnover, punt or turnover on downs.Van Buren finished 11-of-18 for 100 yards and added seven rushing yards.Crowther carried 14 times for 42 yards and a touchdown, while Jason Collins Jr. rushed 17 times for 59 yards. But the biggest offensive statistic may have been the zero in the turnover column. For a team with nine new offensive starters, that was significant.

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A Promising Beginning

Hartline knows the Bulls will need more offensive production as the season progresses. He also knows that not every game will be won with four field goals and 208 total yards.But Saturday night wasn’t about proving what USF will look like in November. It was about taking the first step. And that step came without a turnover. Without a disastrous mistake. Without allowing FIU to turn its 381 yards of offense into a winning formula. For all the talk about Hartline’s offensive pedigree, it was the defense and special teams that carried the night. And Hartline wasn’t about to apologize for it.

“You don’t want to beat yourself in Week One,” he said.The Bulls didn’t. Instead, they forced FIU to beat itself. USF walked off the field with a victory, Hartline walked off with his first win as a college head coach, and the Bulls walked into the next week with something every new program needs: A little confidence as it can go a long way.

Next Up For The Bulls: A roadie against Army who the Bulls always struggle against.