USF football finishes an up-and-down season with 5-OT instant classic in Hawaii Bowl

After enjoying what USF coach Alex Golesh called “the trip of a lifetime” to the Hawai`I  Bowl, the Bulls punctuated a week in paradise by playing the game of a lifetime.

It didn’t end until Bulls linebacker Mac Harris knocked down a pass in the end zone in the fifth – that’s right, fifth – overtime, giving USF an improbable 41-39 win over San Jose State.

If you had known the Bulls would be outgained by 150 yards, would have 11 penalties for 104 yards, rush for only 56 yards, and give San Jose nine more minutes in possession time, where would you have put your money on this game?

Still, the Bulls survived the longest overtime contest in bowl history with grit, determination, and a fortunate bounce when John Cannon’s 41-yard field goal attempt caromed off the right upright and through the goalposts with two seconds left in regulation.

That tied the game and set the stage for the instant classic that followed – the longest game in USF history.

“I think we were really composed during those overtime periods and did a really good job during the back and forth, being ready with the next plan and the next situation,’’ Bulls coach Alex Golesh said. “It’s kind of cool when you can end the game like that because you have time on the field and there are families on the field.

“We had a great contingent that traveled. I’m super grateful to everyone who traveled and super grateful to our administration for allowing so many people to travel with us, our band, our cheerleaders, our mascot, everyone. It was an unbelievable experience.’’

The Bulls’ defense should take a collective bow after this, starting with defensive back Jarvis Lee. He tackled San Jose receiver TreyShun Harry as appeared headed for a touchdown, but Lee tackled him at the 1-yard line and the ball popped loose and hit the end-zone pylon.

Touchback. USF ball.

Quarterback Bryce Archie led a 13-play, 80-yard touchdown drive and  the Bulls led 7-0.

Archie played most of the game, leaving only for a few plays after a hard hit. That gave Byrum Brown his first playing time since September 28, but Archie quickly returned. That's because Brown was still feeling the effects of a broken bone in his leg, and Golesh said that it was a game-time decision to start Archie.

That's the first time there has been confirmation of the seriousness of Brown's injury. Golesh expressed exasperation at the speculation on social media about what was going on,

"The young man that broke a leg, broke a bone in his leg, and he fought like crazy to come back. He's rehabbed five, six hours a day. He's continued to come in every day and prepare like the starter. Comes in and watches more film than anybody in our program, continues to leave, continues to work his tail off," he said.

"And just because on Twitter, somebody doesn't think that that, man, I'm being transparent on his injury ,,, Until believe makes us release some sort of list that says, Man, this guy's available on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Why would I give anybody an advantage to know when somebody is available?"

That brings us back to Archie, who overcame his mistakes and made the plays when he had to.

“Bryce loves ball,’’ Golesh said. “He’s a really tough ball player. He believes in himself and his teammates believe in him. He did a good job taking care of the football and getting it to the right guys. And it wasn’t always perfect. But it was in the end.’’

That's why it's a time for USF to celebrate.

Celebrate receiver Sean Atkins. Playing in his final game, Atkins caught 11 passes for 104 yards and became USF’s all-time leading receiver.

Celebrate Cannon, the senior kicker who was named the MVP.

Celebrate  RB Ta’Ron Keith, whose 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown was a first in a bowl game for USF.

But most of all, celebrate a team that fought through adversity for much of the season. Celebrate that the Bulls ended with a winning 7-6 record. By beating the Spartans, who entered the game a 7-5 record, the Bulls erased the stigma of having never beaten a team with a winning record during Golesh’s tenure.

The season was punctuated by wild swings, but as they left paradise after the game for a 12-hour flight home, the Bulls could say they had just played in a game they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.

Not a bad way to end the season, wouldn’t you say?