BIRMINGHAM, ALA., Nov. 22, 2025 – South Florida’s football team showcased its dynamic offense and opportunistic defense, amassing 544 yards and snagging three interceptions in a decisive 48-18 victory over UAB at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Saturday. The Bulls’ impressive performance propelled them to an 8-3 overall record, with a 5-2 mark in the American Athletic Conference.

This victory marks the 12th time in the program’s history that South Florida has achieved at least eight wins in a season, a feat they last accomplished with a 10-2 record in 2017. With one regular season game and a bowl game still ahead, head coach Alex Golesh is eyeing just the third 10-win campaign in the Bulls’ history, during his third year at the helm.

Heading into the game, South Florida was ranked fourth nationally in total offense, fifth in scoring, and eighth in turnovers forced. They recorded their seventh game of the season with over 500 yards and their sixth with at least 40 points, bringing their turnover tally to 23 for the season.

Quarterback Byrum Brown continued his stellar season by throwing for his second consecutive 300-yard game, completing 19 of 25 passes for a season-high 353 yards and three touchdowns. Brown set a new school record with his 11th game surpassing 200 passing yards this year. Entering the game, he was second nationally in total offense and first in points responsible for. On Saturday, he compiled 416 total yards and accounted for five touchdowns, including two rushing scores, marking his seventh straight game with over 300 total yards and his sixth game with at least four touchdowns.

Meanwhile, wide receiver Mudia Reuben delivered a career-best performance, hauling in five receptions for 174 yards and scoring on two long touchdowns of 60 and 59 yards. His receiving yardage ranks as the sixth-best in program history. Running back Nykahi Davenport also shone, rushing for 121 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, averaging 7.1 yards per carry, and achieving his first career 100-yard game.

The defense got the Bulls rolling as safety Fred Gaskin made a nice interception of a UAB pass over the middle and returned it to the UAB 36 on the Blazers opening possession of the game. It would be the first of three interceptions on the day as Mac Harris and De’Shawn Rucker also collected interceptions for the Bulls. 

Two plays after Gaskin’s interception, Brown rolled right and hit Rueben who made a great catch at the UAB 1. Brown took it in on the next play for a quick 7-0 lead after the three-play drive.

UAB struck back with a 68-yard kickoff return by Solomon Beebe. But, the Bulls defense held the Blazers to 30-yard field goal.

After the Bulls were forced to punt from UAB 43, the Blazers drove 85 yards in seven plays aided by a personal foul penalty and took a 10-7 lead when Isaiah Jacobs ran in from six yards out. 

From there, the Bulls settled in a took command, scoring the next 27 points as the defense forced three punts, got two interceptions and forced a turnover on downs on UAB’s next six possessions.

Brown led the Bulls on an impressive 96-yard drive in 10 plays to take the lead for good. After reaching the UAB6, Brown capped the drive with some nice sleight of hand, faking a handoff before pulling the ball and making a soft toss over the middle to tight end Wyatt Sullivan for the touchdown and a 14-10 lead.

The Bulls closed the scoring in the first half with a 49-yard Nico Gramatica field goal, the first of two 40-yarders on the day, and took a 17-10 lead to the locker room. 

South Florida got the ball to start the second half and Alvon Isaac delivered a 40-yard return on the opening kickoff. Brown led the offense on the field and hit Reuben with a 60-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage to give South Florida a 24-10 lead just 22 seconds into the second half.

Ruckers interception then set up a Gramatica 43-yard field goal, and, after the Bulls defense got another stop on downs, Davenport scored from two yards out to cap a four-play, 45-yard drive that saw the Bulls leading 34-10 with 3:19 to play in the third quarter.    

UAB forced a fumble on a short pass to Reuben and finally ended the Bulls scoring run with a Beebe three-yard touchdown run that capped a 75-yard drive. 

The Bulls responded scoring the final two touchdowns of the game with Brown hitting Reuben on a 59-yard touchdown pass and then finishing an 11-play, 99-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run. 

KEY STATS

• After trailing 10-7, USF scored 27 unanswered points to take a 34-10 lead. The Bulls scored on five straight possessions and seven of their last eight.

• South Florida produced 544 yards of offense, including 353 passing.

• The Bulls defense produced three turnovers, all interceptions, to improve its season take-away total to 23.

NOTABLES

• QB Byrum Brown logged his seventh straight 300-plus yard total offense game with 416 total yards and five touchdowns, including his second straight 300-yard passing game, posting a season-best 353 yards through the air. It marked his program record tying sixth career 300-yard passing game and set a new mark with his 11^th game of 200-plus yards passing on the year. 

• WR Mudia Reuben posted a career-high 174 yards on five catches and had touchdown catches of 60 and 59 yards. His yardage total marked the sixth-best in program history.

• RB Nykahi Davenport posted his first career 100-yard rushing game gaining 121 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries (7.1 ypc).

UP NEXT

USF returns to Raymond James Stadium next Saturday for Senior Night and Fan Appreciation Night as the Bulls take on Rice in a 7 p.m. kick on ESPN+.