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USF upsets No. 13 Florida at The Swamp on walk-off field goal

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz09/07/25NickSchultz_7
USF vs. Florida
© Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Fresh off a statement win in its season opener against Boise State, USF did it again. The Bulls went into The Swamp and upset No. 13 Florida on a walk-off field goal on Saturday.

USF got the ball back with 2:25 to go and got a fresh set of downs when Brendan Bett was ejected for spitting on a Bulls player. That 15-yard penalty kept the drive going, and USF eventually got down to the 2-yard line with two seconds to go.

Nico Gramatica was called upon to kick a field goal virtually equivalent to a PAT. He made it, and time expired as the ball went through the upset. Just like that, USF got the upset – and Florida is facing more questions.

Both teams traded field goals to start the game as Florida took a 9-6 lead into halftime. USF then took the lead in the third quarter when Byrum Brown connected with Keshaun Singleton for a 66-yard touchdown, making it a 13-9 Bulls lead. USF then got a safety on a special teams miscue by Florida, extending the lead to 15-9.

But Florida answered and jumped back out in front as DJ Lagway found Eugene “Tre” Wilson III for a four-yard touchdown pass with 12:29 to go. USF then punted missed a field goal with 2:52 to go, but Florida went three-and-out to give the Bulls possession with 2:25 to play. That proved to be enough time for Gramatica’s game-winning kick.

For USF, it marks a second straight big-time victory to kick off Alex Golesh’s third season as head coach. The Bulls cruised past Boise State a week ago and now have another Top-25 win on their resume. Brown led the charge at quarterback on Saturday, throwing for 263 yards and a touchdown while adding 66 rushing yards on a team-high 17 attempts.

As for Florida, there are more questions after another in-state loss at The Swamp. Lagway had a solid day, going 23 of 33 for 222 yards and a touchdown, along with an interception. But the Gators’ defense struggled to contain Brown and the Bulls’ offense, allowing 391 total yards on the day.

UF will now turn its attention to the first SEC game of the year against LSU next week. It’s another important game for Napier and Co. – even more so after another home loss.