USF rolls past UAB 48–18 as Bulls hit eight-win mark for first time since 2017
South Florida put together another explosive offensive showing and a turnover-heavy defensive performance, cruising to a 48–18 win over UAB on Saturday at Protective Stadium. The Bulls improved to 8–3 (5–2 AAC) and secured their first eight-win season since 2017, with a chance to chase just the third 10-win campaign in program history.
USF entered the day ranked top-10 nationally in total offense, scoring, and turnovers gained, and looked every bit the part again. The Bulls posted 544 total yards, logged their seventh 500-yard outing of the season, and forced three interceptions, pushing their season takeaway total to 23.
Byrum Brown dominates again
Quarterback Byrum Brown added another elite performance to his growing résumé.
Brown finished 19-of-25 for a season-high 353 passing yards and three touchdowns, while adding two rushing scores to cap a five-touchdown day. His 416 total yards marked his seventh straight game with 300+ yards and his sixth game with at least four total touchdowns.
Brown also set a new school record with his 11th 200-yard passing game of the season.
Mudia Reuben erupts for career day
Wide receiver Mudia Reuben torched the Blazers’ secondary, racking up 174 receiving yards and touchdown grabs of 60 yards and 59 yards. His performance ranks as the sixth-best single-game receiving yardage total in program history.
Running back Nykahi Davenport added his first career 100-yard rushing outing with 121 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.
Defense fuels early surge
USF’s defense set the tone immediately. Safety Fred Gaskin jumped a pass over the middle for an interception on UAB’s opening drive, returning it to the Blazers’ 36. Two plays later, Brown hit Reuben down to the 1-yard line and punched it in himself for a quick 7–0 lead.
The Bulls’ defense kept the pressure on, forcing three punts, two interceptions (Mac Harris and De’Shawn Rucker), and a turnover on downs across six straight UAB possessions. That stretch powered a 27–0 scoring run that blew the game open.
Bulls take control before halftime
Trailing 10–7 early in the second quarter, Brown guided a 96-yard drive capped by a clever play-action toss to tight end Wyatt Sullivan to retake the lead at 14–10.
Kicker Nico Gramatica drilled a 49-yard field goal to make it 17–10 at halftime, the first of his two field goals from 40+ on the day.
Explosion out of the break
South Florida wasted no time in the second half. After a 40-yard kickoff return by Alvon Isaac, Brown hit Reuben on a 60-yard bomb on the first play of the third quarter. Moments later, Rucker’s interception set up another Gramatica field goal.
Davenport capped a four-play drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 34–10 late in the third.
UAB briefly halted USF’s run with a fumble recovery and a short touchdown, but the Bulls answered with two more scores:
- A 59-yard touchdown from Brown to Reuben
- A two-yard rushing touchdown from Brown to finish off a 99-yard drive
What’s next
With one regular-season game and a bowl on deck, USF has its sights on a rare milestone: just the third 10-win season in program history. The Bulls close with a home game against Rice at 7 pm next Saturday.
