Byrum Brown Delivered Tebow-Style Performance as USF Bulldozed Boise State

USF had the ball at Boise State’s 23-yard line, trailing by four points, midway through the second quarter. That’s when quarterback Byrum Brown dropped to pass, then broke from the pocket and trucked toward the end zone.

Trucked?

Yes, seriously, Brown was a fully loaded 18-wheeler as he gained steam with his eyes squarely on six points. That’s when Boise State safety Ty Benefield tried to cut him off at the goal line.

Instead of trying to elude Benefield, Brown lowered his right shoulder and smashed into him, knocking Benefield to the ground as Brown secured the touchdown. That gave USF a lead it would never relinquish in a 34-7 opening-game win.

You know who that play reminded me of?

Hint: He used to play quarterback for the Florida Gators, the team USF meets on Saturday in the Swamp.

Tim Tebow.

Yeah, I went there.

I covered many of Tebow’s games, and he is one of the greatest college players I’ve ever seen. So calm down, Gator Nation. I’m not putting Brown at that level.

However, I am saying that Tebow would have smiled watching Brown go out of his way to make contact on that play. That’s exactly the way Tebow played, and I’m expecting this won’t be the last time this season that Brown looks to deliver a blow instead of running from it.

After a couple of early drives in the game that didn’t do much, Brown asked head coach Alex Golesh to call some quarterback runs.

“I give Byrum a lot of credit, because he came over and said, coaches, run me a little bit. Then I watched him put his shoulder down twice,” Golesh said.

“I was like, man, yeah, he’s got it. Got into a groove. I think he felt really good.”

That play at the goal line was not the only instance against Boise State where Brown overpowered defenders, and that highlights the most important aspect of him. In fact, his best run of the night was probably the one where he broke six tackles and appeared to have a 40-yard touchdown, only to have it nullified by a penalty.

When he started to run, everything opened up for USF’s offense.

Brown’s ability to run is another reason to compare his playing style to Tebow.

Tebow was an exceptional scrambler and, at 6-foot-3 and 236 pounds, he could make defenders regret trying to tackle him. Brown is also 6-3 and weighs 232, and it’s all muscle.

Tebow, as we know, is humble and a man of exceptional faith.

Guess what? Brown’s the same way.

“You know, it's truly a blessing,” Brown said after the game. “Being on this stage and having this platform, just having the opportunity to go out there and do what I love, and they (the fans) love us, so it’s truly a blessing.”

Brown did more than run against Boise State. He also completed 16-of-24 passes for 210 yards. He had completions of 55, 45, and 24 yards. Pro Football Focus graded his overall game at 91.3, which is exceptional.

Losing most of last season to a broken leg makes Brown appreciate the opportunity he has now, and he is full-go. If the Boise State game is any indication, opposing safeties might want to think twice before taking him on.

They might get trucked.