USF's Blueprint to Shock the Gators Could Start With Byrum Brown's Passing Game

In the glow of last week’s win over Boise State, it can be easy to forget that USF’s offense was stuffed in the first quarter.

Boise ran 22 plays in that opening quarter compared to seven for the Bulls. The visitors had the ball for nearly 11 minutes in that quarter, but led only 7-0 because the Bulls were tenacious on defense.

“I said it after the game, but I kind of take the blame a little bit for what we look like. I take the blame for a lot of them, for what we look like early,” head coach Alex Golesh said.

“I was just trying to get guys settled in -- obviously, a ton of new guys -- and get guys settled in a little bit. I thought we opened it up as we went, and that opening it up opened the run game and created some explosives.”

What does that have to do with Saturday’s game at Florida?

Maybe a lot.

Football 101 says teams should run to set up the pass. However, opening up the passing game helped USF get going on the ground against Boise.

With that in mind, as much as Golesh wants to establish the run, USF’s best chance at The Swamp could be quarterback Byrum Brown’s passing arm. The Gators have a top-notch defensive line, even if tackle Caleb Banks remains sidelined with a foot injury.

Getting a ground game going against that crew, especially if they’re focused on keeping Brown from his trademark explosive runs, could be difficult.

Brown had a pair of rushing touchdowns against the Broncos, and both of them came shortly after long pass completions.

Florida has an experienced secondary but is frequently criticized for playing soft coverages underneath. Brown had a pair of 37-yard completions and another of 55 yards against Boise. He also shared the wealth, completing passes to eight different receivers.

Keshaun Singleton and Tennessee transfer Chas Nimrod were Brown’s favorite targets. Both had more than 90 yards receiving, although 45 of Singleton’s 93 yards came when backup QB Locklan Hewlett hit him for a touchdown off a fake punt.

Even without record-setting receiver Sean Atkins, the Bulls may have a better overall receiving room than a year ago. Singleton was a breakout player in the second half of 2024, and Nimrod gives Brown a second target with elite speed.

Golesh stresses points-per-possession over time of possession. Not counting a one-play run for no gain at the end of the first half, the Bulls’ 34 points came on 11 possessions. So even though the Broncos had the ball for nearly 13 minutes longer, the Bulls were more efficient.

It's also worth remembering that USF recovered fumbles and had four fourth-down stops.

“The defense created three extra drives and four stops on fourth down, which created four more drives,” Golesh said. “With field position being a huge factor on those fourth-down stops, that was essentially the story of the game.”

If the Bulls can recreate that magic Saturday, their odds of a happy bus ride back to Tampa increase significantly.