After seeing potential massive upsets against Alabama and Miami dissolve in second-half collapses, USF arrived in New Orleans on a stated mission to play a consistent 60-minute football game against Tulane.
Well, the Bulls did just that, but it wasn’t the kind of consistency they had in mind. During a disastrous first half that essentially put the game out of reach, the Bulls were consistently blown off the ball, consistently missed tackles, and consistently found ways to shoot themselves in the foot.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, quarterback Byrum Brown left the game in the third quarter after a hit to his lower leg. Brown lay on the field for a few minutes before gingerly walking off under his own power.
Later on the sideline, he was spotted with a protective boot on his left foot. Bulls Insider reported he’ll undergo an examination back in Tampa.
Golesh said they are unsure right now about Byrum Brown's status and they will evaluate him when they get back to Tampa.
— USF Bulls | BullsInsider.com (@USFBulls_Rivals) September 28, 2024
The result was a consistently bad 45-10 loss to the Green Wave that harkened back to games last year against UAB and Florida Atlantic, where the Bulls were dismantled, surrendering 56 points two games in a row. It was a blowout from the start.
The Bulls fell to 2-3 overall and 0-1 in the American Athletic Conference but likely could fall further depending on how badly Brown is hurt. They have an open date next week before hosting Memphis at Raymond James Stadium on October 11.
Counting the second half against Miami, the Bulls have been outscored 73-10 over the last six quarters, so you can’t zero in one thing to fix.
For the first three games, the Bulls had one of the best running games in the country but have combined for just 90 yards in the last two games.
Even when USF stuffed the box on defense to stop the run, Tulane backs gained yards, broke tackles, and often ran through holes you could drive a pickup truck through.
The Green Wave needed only 13 plays to go ahead 14-0.
It was 31-7 at halftime, and the Bulls weren’t coming back from that deficit.
Tulane outgained USF 528-201. The Bulls lost two fumbles. The status of their standout quarterback is uncertain.
And Tulane receiver Mario Williams burned USF for two touchdown catches. Williams played at Plant City High School, about a half-hour ride from the South Florida campus.
The sight of Tulane taking a knee at USF’s 1-yard line to avoid a rub-it-in touchdown in the closing minute was a fitting end to a day that will rank with the lowest in the Alex Golesh era – maybe the lowest, considering that last year he was trying to get his program in place.
It was that bad.