USF Bulls Stampede Over The South Carolina Bulldogs 63-14 At Raymond James Stadium

By Travis Failey on September 21, 2025

The USF Bulls (3-1) closed out their non-conference slate with an emphatic 63-14 victory over the South Carolina State Bulldogs (2-2) on Saturday at Raymond James Stadium. The Bulls’ offense, defense, and special teams all contributed to a dominant performance, highlighted by a program-record 35-point third quarter.

The stadium was buzzing even with the limited crowd in attendance on a sweltering Saturday 12 pm start time but the student section was packed. They were treated with a stalwart defensive performance and air show from QB Byrum Brown and the Bulls receiving crew, especially Chas Nimrod.

After a somewhat sluggish start that saw the Bulldogs control the time of possession early, the Bulls’ defense delivered the first major blow.

South Carolina State, on its opening drive, marched 70 yards down the field before USF linebacker Mac Harris intercepted a pass at the USF 7-yard line and returned it 93 yards for a touchdown—the longest interception return in program history.

USF extended its lead in the second quarter with a pair of touchdown passes from quarterback Byrum Brown, who connected with tight end Jonathan Echols for a 22-yard score and then with receiver Josh Porter for a 26-yard touchdown, making it 21-0.

South Carolina State responded with a late first-half touchdown, a 1-yard run by Kacy Fields, to cut the lead to 21-7 at the break.

The second half, however, was all Bulls. USF scored five touchdowns in the third quarter alone, showcasing a variety of explosive plays.

Brown threw two more touchdown passes, both to Chas Nimrod, for 42 and 22 yards. The Bulls’ ground game came alive with a 43-yard touchdown run from Nykahi Davenport and a 30-yarder from Sam Franklin.

Special teams also got in on the action when Ashton Mosley scooped up a blocked punt and returned it 4 yards for a score.

Franklin added another long touchdown run in the fourth quarter, a 54-yard scamper that capped off the scoring for USF. The Bulldogs’ lone second-half touchdown came from a 17-yard run by Julian Milligan.

The time of possession battle was one-sided all day, which kept the Bulls’ defense on the field for 43:07 but they battled and attacked the Bulldogs with pressure all afternoon.

Linebackers Jhalyn Shuler and Mac Harris were key to slowing down the Bulldogs, who moved the ball, but when they got close, the Bulls made big plays to limit their scoring opportunities.

Up next for the Bulls, an off week to get healthy and get ready for their conference schedule to start with a Friday night matchup against Charlotte at Raymond James Stadium on October 3rd.

Team Statistics

USF Individual Leaders

South Carolina State Individual Leaders

Quotes

USF Head Coach Alex Golesh:

Following the game, Golesh acknowledged the team’s slow start but praised their explosive second half. “I think there was enough sloppiness there that I would tell you that as coaches, we got to figure out why,” Golesh said. “I knew you were gonna ask about time of possession.

I looked up there going into our last drive and 12 minutes of time of possession. I’m like, Man, I’m gonna get this question again. But the third quarter emphatically made his case that what you do with the ball matters more than how long you have the ball.”

Golesh also spoke about the team’s ability to create big plays in all three phases of the game. “I think we came out at halftime with a focus and an intent to be really, really dialed on, you know, but we’ve done that really for a couple of years now,” he added, referring to the team’s third-quarter dominance.

USF Linebacker Mac Harris:

Harris, who was a force on defense all game and set the program record for the longest interception return, spoke about his pivotal play. “I just saw the ball in the air and grabbed it,” Harris said of his 93-yard pick-six.

USF Tight End Wyatt Sullivan (from pre-game):

Ahead of the matchup, Sullivan was asked about not underestimating the FCS opponent. “They’ve got good players,” he said. “They gave South Carolina a good first half, and that’s a Power Five team. We’re taking them very seriously.” This mindset seemed to pay off in the second half.

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USF Bulls Stampede Over The South Carolina Bulldogs 63-14 At Raymond James Stadium

The stadium was buzzing even with the limited crowd in attendance on a sweltering Saturday 12 pm start time but the student section was packed. They were treated with a stalwart defensive performance and air show from QB Byrum Brown and the Bulls receiving crew, especially Chas Nimrod.

After a somewhat sluggish start that saw the Bulldogs control the time of possession early, the Bulls’ defense delivered the first major blow.

South Carolina State, on its opening drive, marched 70 yards down the field before USF linebacker Mac Harris intercepted a pass at the USF 7-yard line and returned it 93 yards for a touchdown—the longest interception return in program history.

USF extended its lead in the second quarter with a pair of touchdown passes from quarterback Byrum Brown, who connected with tight end Jonathan Echols for a 22-yard score and then with receiver Josh Porter for a 26-yard touchdown, making it 21-0.

South Carolina State responded with a late first-half touchdown, a 1-yard run by Kacy Fields, to cut the lead to 21-7 at the break.

The second half, however, was all Bulls. USF scored five touchdowns in the third quarter alone, showcasing a variety of explosive plays.

Brown threw two more touchdown passes, both to Chas Nimrod, for 42 and 22 yards. The Bulls’ ground game came alive with a 43-yard touchdown run from Nykahi Davenport and a 30-yarder from Sam Franklin.

Special teams also got in on the action when Ashton Mosley scooped up a blocked punt and returned it 4 yards for a score.

Franklin added another long touchdown run in the fourth quarter, a 54-yard scamper that capped off the scoring for USF. The Bulldogs’ lone second-half touchdown came from a 17-yard run by Julian Milligan.

The time of possession battle was one-sided all day, which kept the Bulls’ defense on the field for 43:07 but they battled and attacked the Bulldogs with pressure all afternoon.

Linebackers Jhalyn Shuler and Mac Harris were key to slowing down the Bulldogs, who moved the ball, but when they got close, the Bulls made big plays to limit their scoring opportunities.

Up next for the Bulls, an off week to get healthy and get ready for their conference schedule to start with a Friday night matchup against Charlotte at Raymond James Stadium on October 3rd.

Quotes

USF Head Coach Alex Golesh:

Following the game, Golesh acknowledged the team’s slow start but praised their explosive second half. “I think there was enough sloppiness there that I would tell you that as coaches, we got to figure out why,” Golesh said. “I knew you were gonna ask about time of possession.

I looked up there going into our last drive and 12 minutes of time of possession. I’m like, Man, I’m gonna get this question again. But the third quarter emphatically made his case that what you do with the ball matters more than how long you have the ball.”

USF Linebacker Mac Harris:

Harris, who was a force on defense all game and set the program record for the longest interception return, spoke about his pivotal play. “I just saw the ball in the air and grabbed it,” Harris said of his 93-yard pick-six.

USF Tight End Wyatt Sullivan (from pre-game):

Ahead of the matchup, Sullivan was asked about not underestimating the FCS opponent. “They’ve got good players,” he said. “They gave South Carolina a good first half, and that’s a Power Five team. We’re taking them very seriously.” This mindset seemed to pay off in the second half.

USF Bulls Stampede Over The South Carolina Bulldogs 63-14 At Raymond James Stadium

The stadium was buzzing even with the limited crowd in attendance on a sweltering Saturday 12 pm start time but the student section was packed. They were treated with a stalwart defensive performance and air show from QB Byrum Brown and the Bulls receiving crew, especially Chas Nimrod.

After a somewhat sluggish start that saw the Bulldogs control the time of possession early, the Bulls’ defense delivered the first major blow.

South Carolina State, on its opening drive, marched 70 yards down the field before USF linebacker Mac Harris intercepted a pass at the USF 7-yard line and returned it 93 yards for a touchdown—the longest interception return in program history.

USF extended its lead in the second quarter with a pair of touchdown passes from quarterback Byrum Brown, who connected with tight end Jonathan Echols for a 22-yard score and then with receiver Josh Porter for a 26-yard touchdown, making it 21-0.

South Carolina State responded with a late first-half touchdown, a 1-yard run by Kacy Fields, to cut the lead to 21-7 at the break.

The second half, however, was all Bulls. USF scored five touchdowns in the third quarter alone, showcasing a variety of explosive plays.

Brown threw two more touchdown passes, both to Chas Nimrod, for 42 and 22 yards. The Bulls’ ground game came alive with a 43-yard touchdown run from Nykahi Davenport and a 30-yarder from Sam Franklin.

Special teams also got in on the action when Ashton Mosley scooped up a blocked punt and returned it 4 yards for a score.

Franklin added another long touchdown run in the fourth quarter, a 54-yard scamper that capped off the scoring for USF. The Bulldogs’ lone second-half touchdown came from a 17-yard run by Julian Milligan.

The time of possession battle was one-sided all day, which kept the Bulls’ defense on the field for 43:07 but they battled and attacked the Bulldogs with pressure all afternoon.

Linebackers Jhalyn Shuler and Mac Harris were key to slowing down the Bulldogs, who moved the ball, but when they got close, the Bulls made big plays to limit their scoring opportunities.

Up next for the Bulls, an off week to get healthy and get ready for their conference schedule to start with a Friday night matchup against Charlotte at Raymond James Stadium on October 3rd.

Quotes

USF Head Coach Alex Golesh:

Following the game, Golesh acknowledged the team’s slow start but praised their explosive second half. “I think there was enough sloppiness there that I would tell you that as coaches, we got to figure out why,” Golesh said. “I knew you were gonna ask about time of possession.

I looked up there going into our last drive and 12 minutes of time of possession. I’m like, Man, I’m gonna get this question again. But the third quarter emphatically made his case that what you do with the ball matters more than how long you have the ball.”

USF Linebacker Mac Harris:

Harris, who was a force on defense all game and set the program record for the longest interception return, spoke about his pivotal play. “I just saw the ball in the air and grabbed it,” Harris said of his 93-yard pick-six.

USF Tight End Wyatt Sullivan (from pre-game):

Ahead of the matchup, Sullivan was asked about not underestimating the FCS opponent. “They’ve got good players,” he said. “They gave South Carolina a good first half, and that’s a Power Five team. We’re taking them very seriously.” This mindset seemed to pay off in the second half.