USF Bulls Shock No. 25 Boise State in Season Opener, 34–7

All Photos by Christie Richmond

TAMPA, Fla. – On a sweltering late Friday afternoon at Raymond James Stadium, the USF Bulls opened their 2025 football season with a statement win, stunning No. 25 Boise State 34–7. The victory marked USF’s first win over a ranked opponent since 2016 and instantly sent a jolt of optimism through a fan base hungry for a breakthrough moment.

The game began with some early adversity for the Bulls. After failing on a fourth-and-one attempt from their own 41-yard line, USF handed Boise State prime field position. The Broncos capitalized with quarterback Maddux Madsen connecting with Chris Marshall to take a 7–0 lead.

But rather than unravel, USF steadied themselves. Quarterback Byrum Brown guided the Bulls into scoring range, and kicker Nico Grammatica drilled a 52-yard field goal to put USF on the board.

Boise State looked poised to extend their lead late in the first half after two costly USF penalties moved them deep into Bulls territory. But Wisconsin transfer cornerback Jonas Duclona stripped the ball in the red zone, and linebacker Ira Singleton pounced on it, snuffing out the threat.

The turnover swung momentum firmly to USF. Moments later, Brown capped a 49-yard drive with a 23-yard touchdown run—his first since returning from injury 11 months ago—to give the Bulls a 10–7 halftime edge.

The second half belonged entirely to USF. Head coach Alex Golesh showed his aggressive side with one of the boldest play calls in program history. Facing a fourth-and-six at the Boise State 45, Golesh sent backup quarterback Locklan Hewlett into punt formation.

Hewlett faked the punt, took the snap, and launched a 45-yard strike to receiver Keshaun Singleton, who broke tackles and sprinted to the end zone. The trick play electrified the home crowd and pushed USF’s lead to 17–7.

From there, the Bulls’ defense clamped down. Boise State gambled on four different fourth-down attempts in the second half, and USF stopped them all. The relentless pass rush and physical tackling left the Broncos frustrated and scoreless after the opening quarter.

Meanwhile, Brown continued to deliver highlight moments. He hit Chas Nimrod for a 55-yard bomb, then scrambled 15 yards for a touchdown to stretch the lead to 24–7. Running back Cartevious Norton added to the fireworks, turning a short pass into a 40-yard gain before finishing the drive with a tough touchdown run of his own. Grammatica later added a 33-yard field goal to cap the scoring at 34–7.

In total, the USF defense forced two turnovers, notched four fourth-down stops, and allowed just one scoring drive in brutal 90-degree heat. Their speed and physicality set the tone, while Brown’s leadership and big-play ability gave the offense balance and confidence.

“This is a huge win for our team, our program, and our fans,” Golesh said afterward. “We showed tonight that we can compete with anybody.”

For Bulls fans who braved the muggy conditions, the payoff was more than worth it—a resounding upset over a ranked opponent and a glimpse of what could be a turning point season. With matchups looming against Florida and Miami before diving into conference play, USF carries not just momentum but belief.

On Friday night, the Bulls didn’t just win—they made a statement: USF football is ready to run with the big boys again.

Key Performances & Quotes:

• Byrum Brown: Accounted for 253 total yards (210 passing, 43 rushing) and two rushing touchdowns.
• Keshaun Singleton: Five catches for 93 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown reception on the fake punt.
• USF Defense: Forced three turnovers (all fumbles) and stopped Boise State on fourth down three times, stifling a Broncos offense that was among the best in the country last year.
• Jhalyn Shuler: Recorded a career-high 14 tackles, setting the tone defensively

Category	USF Bulls	Boise State Broncos
Final Score	34	7
Total Yards	372	378
Passing Yards	210 (Brown)	225 (Maddux Madsen)
Rushing Yards	43 (Brown), 8 (Norton TD)	122 (team total)
Turnovers Forced	3 (fumbles)	0
Fourth Down Stops	3	N/A
Top Receiver	Singleton, 93 yards	Caples, 58 yards

Jhalyn Shuler, the linebacker who recorded a career-high 14 tackles, said:

“From a personal standpoint, this is the first game I have played fully healthy. I worked hard this offseason to make sure I felt as good as I have had playing football.

Head Coach Alex Golesh honored the late basketball coach Amir Abdul-Rahim after the game, quoting him: “‘This ain’t the same old South Florida anymore’ and I truly believe that”.

“I told our team last night that this is going to be a display of our identity,” South Florida coach Alex Golesh said. “We’ve worked. We’ve got a bunch of seniors that have been through a lot. Some that are in their sixth year here.”

Boise State Head Coach Spencer Danielson took responsibility for the successful USF fake punt touchdown, stating, “We didn’t see that in time and that’s on me”. 

Up next for the Bulls: A matchup at the Swamp against 25^th ranked Florida Gators on Sept 6^th.at 4:15 pm.