Game notes
- Time and date: Saturday, October 17 at 7:00 p.m. ET
- Network: ESPN+
- Location: Raymond James Stadium — Tampa, FL
- Spread: South Florida (-20.5)
- Over/under: 45.5
- All-time series: No previous meetings
Setting the scene
Non-conference play isn’t quite over yet.
South Florida and Kent State meet at Raymond James Stadium to conclude their respective out-of-conference slates. The Bulls (4-2, 1-2 American) can sweep their non-conference slate. Meanwhile, the Golden Flashes (2-4, 1-2 MAC) look to snap a 31-game regular season losing streak to non-conference FBS opponents, dating back to 2014.
It’s the first-ever meeting between the Bulls and Golden Flashes.
Kent State Golden Flashes outlook
Kent State has been effective in conference play under head coach
Mark Carney, winning five of its last 10 MAC matchups. However, the Golden Flashes have been outscored 116-3 this year against FBS non-conference opponents, and they take the aforementioned 31-game losing streak into Tampa.
Kent State seeks an offensive resurgence. The Golden Flashes were renowned for their home-run playmaking last year with four 70+ yard plays, but this season, they only have one play exceeding 50 yards. Kent State ranks 137th in total offense and 134th in scoring offense, and it has scored multiple touchdowns in just two games this year — its wins over FCS Wofford and Ball State.
The run game is where the Golden Flashes must improve must, averaging 3.1 yards per carry. Kent State is still looking for its first 70-yard running back of the season. So far, Mason King has been the primary option out of the backfield, owning a team-high 202 rushing yards.
But in Kent State’s two wins, it got more than 70 rushing yards from quarterback Dru DeShields. The second-year starter has dual-threat capabilities. Last season, he was a prolific passer, delivering 18 touchdowns to three interceptions. This year, he has improved his completion rate but has four touchdowns against six interceptions. Limiting turnovers will be essential for a Kent State team that currently has the 10th-most giveaways in the FBS.
Wayne Harris and Da’Realyst Clark are the primary targets in an offense heavily reliant on the passing game. Harris enjoyed a career-game last Saturday at Western Michigan, hauling in 11 receptions for 164 yards. Meanwhile, Clark — the reigning MAC Special Teams Player of the Year as a return specialist — has been more heavily involved as a receiver this year, ranking second on the team with 20 catches and 253 yards.
Kent State’s defense was sluggish against South Carolina and Ohio State but has considerably improved since. Perhaps its best effort was seen in a 13-10 loss against a capable Ohio offense. The Golden Flashes have done a better job creating pressure in recent weeks. Inside linebacker Rocco Nicholl is the leader of the run defense and an effective blitzer, ranking atop the team with 3.0 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss. True sophomore safety Joel Cordoba headlines the secondary, producing a team-high 30 tackles.
Still, Kent State is ranked 96th in total defense, with its two 50+ point losses in non-conference play factoring in. However, the team has been opportunistic in the turnover battle, forcing six fumbles and intercepting four passes this season.
South Florida Bulls outlook
South Florida was the last remaining unbeaten in the American at 4-0, but the Bulls enter Saturday on a two-game losing streak. The Bulls weren’t far off from winning either of their last two, leading Temple with under four minutes remaining and leading UTSA with under one minute remaining, before falling both times.
In 2025, USF ranked third nationally in total offense. This year, the Bulls have fallen to 111th, and they’re averaging just 19.6 points per game against FBS competition. Sparking the offense out of the gate has been the main issue, as USF has just three first half touchdowns against its five FBS opponents. However, two of those touchdowns were produced in the first quarter of the most recent outing at UTSA, showing signs of progress.
Michael Van Buren Jr. remains the starting quarterback. The former Mississippi State and LSU starter averages 178 passing yards per game, but he has yet to throw an interception in his first season in Tampa. Van Buren can serve as an occasional scrambler as well, and his most prolific rushing performance led to USF’s best offensive showing of the season — a 28-24 victory over Army in Week 2.
D.J. Crowther has been another staple of the offense, averaging 5.1 yards per carry as the Bulls’ leading rusher. He has reached the end zone eight times this season, scoring in five of six games. Other skill position players looking to spark USF’s offense include wide receivers Bryson Rodgers and Joshua Porter. After leading the country in 40+ yard plays last season, the Bulls have only manufactured two in 2026. One was a deep touchdown to Rodgers last week, and they’ll look to add more verticality in the offense before conference play resumes.
Defense is the reason USF has four wins to its name. The Bulls have excelled under first-year defensive coordinator Josh Aldridge, who directed East Carolina’s defense last season. The team ranks 25th in scoring defense at 17.3 points allowed per game, and it has held four of six opponents to 17 points or fewer.
South Florida is especially prevalent in opponents’ backfields. The Bulls are 17th in the FBS with 41 tackles for loss, and they come from all sources. Outside linebacker Sam Robinson and nickel Tayvion Beasley are atop the team with 3.5 apiece. Strong safety Ayden Jackson has also been a chief disruptor on the team, recording a team-high 37 tackles to go along with 3.0 tackles for loss and three pass breakups.
One area of improvement for the defense includes turnover creation. The Bulls haven’t committed many turnovers this year, but the takeaway output hasn’t been high either. USF is still searching to corral its first interception since Week 1.
Prediction
This is the perfect opportunity for South Florida to demonstrate offensive improvements. The unit still hasn’t scored 30 against an FBS opponent, but all the stars align Saturday. It’s home game, with a rest advantage, against the nation’s 124th-ranked scoring defense.
Jumpstarting Kent State’s offense won’t be easy against a unit that has consistently held opponents below 20 points. However, the Golden Flashes defense can thrive in chaos and produce enough stops to prevent another South Carolina or Ohio State type result from occurring.
USF wins, allowing the Bulls to sweep non-conference play in Brian Hartline’s first year at the helm. Meanwhile, Kent State drops a 32nd-straight FBS non-conference matchup.
Prediction: South Florida 34, Kent State 10
