DEJUA VU-SF

Written by Ian Gibson / October 26, 2025

In a sad, yet familiar feeling, the Bulls in the biggest game of the season, could not hang on. 

USF had its moments with plenty of explosive plays. Notably long rushing touchdowns from Byrum Brown and Sam Franklin. Brown had another stellar game with over 300 total yards for the fifth time this year. 

Defensively after halftime was a huge letdown. They had no answer for Memphis QB Brendon Lewis. After a pedestrian first half, he came alive with over 200 yards in the final half. After halftime, Memphis crossed into Bulls territory every drive. And scored in all but one.

USF was the better team and looked like it having a commanding 31-17 lead into the 4th quarter. However, the next 15 minutes would be slow torture, as USF gave up an unacceptable 17 points.

It came to a head, when a costly holding call on a questionable decision to throw with less than 10 seconds made it a 52-yard field goal that went wide left. One of the sticking points of this game will be Golesh's decision to go for it on 4th down inside the Memphis 20 early in the 3rd quarter. A sure fire field goal would have made it a tie game going into the final drive, instead of being down and needing a field goal to tie.

For many USF fans this will be a game that got away, once again. Playoff hopes for USF are dead, along with a clear path to the conference championship. The Bulls are no longer in control of their own destiny. Tulane, Navy, and Memphis have jumped ahead of them and with Tulane's last tough opponent being this very Memphis team, the chances of seeing USF make their first conference championship appearance are thin. A season of greatness and a chance to make a statement defeating the last blockade to the American Conference championship, unfortunately, or predictably, came up short again for South Florida.