The South Florida Bulls brought back the throwback logo for a Friday night showdown at Raymond James Stadium. The program’s original emblem upon joining the FBS was emblazoned on the helmets and at midfield for a nationally televised showcase in Tampa. However, the Bulls looked exactly like their modern self, dominating Charlotte 54-26 in their 2025 conference opener.
South Florida essentially ended the game in the first quarter. The Bulls only required 59 seconds to generate a lead over the fellow
green and gold American opponent, and they called upon a Charlotte transfer to do so. Running back Cartevious Norton sprinted 37 yards for an early touchdown against his former team, providing the first blood in a scoring rampage. Then Byrum Brown found Jeremiah Koger for a 38-yard touchdown reception, and the Bulls kept piling on. They blocked a punt out of the end zone for a safety and then Brown connected with Mudia Reuben to close the opening frame at 23-0. USF out-gained Charlotte 239-6 in the opening frame — a quarter which Charlotte recorded negative passing yards.
USF defensive coordinator Todd Orlando’s unit held firm for most of the contest until garbage time, limiting Charlotte to 279 yards, which paled in comparison to the Bulls’ 631 yards of offense. The top performers were the usual suspects — veteran starting linebackers Jhalyn Shuler and Mac Harris. Shuler contributed 10 tackles and a forced fumble while Harris also forced a fumble in a 6-tackle showing. The duo also provided immense backfield pressure with a combined three QB hurries.
South Florida wasn’t without its fair share of mistakes in the four-touchdown victory. The Bulls were plagued by a multitude of early drops and even committed four first half turnovers — fumbling twice and tossing two interceptions to create a 4-4 showing in the turnover battle. Those errors proved un-costly due to the caliber of opponent, but USF missed several opportunities to craft even a larger lead in their first conference matchup of 2025. Charlotte’s only touchdown in the first three quarters stemmed from a South Florida interception, as the 49ers successfully traversed an abbreviated field length of 34 yards.
Charlotte’s scroll of injuries on the availability report included 16 players out for the game (including four out for the season) as well as two listed as questionable. The 49ers operated without starting quarterback Conner Harrell for the first time this year, thrusting Duke transfer Grayson Loftis into the role. Loftis, who started five games at Duke in 2023, finished 2-of-11 for -1 passing yard and an interception. Former Southern Miss starter Zach Wilcke replaced Loftis in the middle of the second quarter, contributing 150 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception on a 14-of-18 showing.
South Florida’s quarterback performance contrasted greatly. Byrum Brown showcased his dual-threat abilities with 211 yards and four touchdowns as a passer and 162 yards and a touchdown as a rusher — setting a new career-high by a margin of two yards. Norton and Sam Franklin assisted Brown with strong showings on the ground, allowing USF to amass a collective 407 rushing yards. 407 marked the program’s highest rushing output since its 2024 matchup vs. Charlotte which saw 425 yards.
Charlotte (1-4, 0-2 American) remains winless against FBS competition in Tim Albin’s first year at the helm, and all four losses were by double-digits. The banged up 49ers hope for better fortune on the road next Saturday against an Army team that is also 0-2 in conference play.
South Florida (4-1, 1-0 American) is finally on the board in conference play. The Bulls reveled in the national spotlight after early-season ranked wins vs. Boise State and Florida, and now Alex Golesh’s team looks to reclaim a spot in the rankings. Next Friday night marks the biggest regular season game of the Golesh era as the team travels to Denton, TX in a highly-anticipated battle against undefeated North Texas.
