USF Bulls stun No. 13 Florida Gators 18-16

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA—In all that offseason talk about the Florida Gators’ difficult schedule in 2025, there was never any real mention about USF. The Bulls, it seemed, were simply an afterthought.

Not anymore.

Unranked and unheralded USF shocked No. 13 UF on Saturday in The Swamp with a 20-yard field goal by Nico Gramatica as time expired in an absolute stunner. Final score: USF 18, Florida 16,

The Gators, now 1-1, had won five straight games dating back to last season, which tied for the nation’s longest winning steak. But now they enter a four-game stretch against LSU, Miami, Texas and Texas A&M having lost to a Power 4 team. Meanwhile, questions about the direction of the UF program under fourth-year coach Billy Napier are sure to re-surface. He’s now 20-20 with the Gators.

The stars for USF were quarterback Byrum Brown and a stout defense. Brown was 23 of 36 for 263 yards and a touchdown—and added 66 tough yards on 17 carries. He calmly led the Bulls on an eight-play, 87-yard drive in the final 2:25.

Meanwhile, USF held the Gators to 355 yards and the fewest points in any of the nine games quarterback DJ Lagway has started at UF. Lagway was 23 of 33 for 222 yards, one touchdown and an interception. But the UF offense never found its groove.

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FOURTH QUARTER

—The Bulls have the ball again after a three-and-out that burned little clock. With 2:26 left, USF starts at its 11.

—A 58-yard USF field goal is short.

—After a defensive stop, USF takes over with 5:52 left at the Bulls 20.

—The Gators have the ball back after a strong defensive series. UF takes over at the Gators 20 with 11:09 left. USF hasn’t done much on its past two offensive drives.

—On 3rd-and goal from the 4, Gators quarterback DJ Lagway hit Eugene Wilson for a touchdown on a short slant over the middle. Perfect throw. The Gators are back in front after the five-play, 20-yard drive. SCORE: Florida 16, USF 15 12:29.

—USF was forced to punt twice after a penalty and the Gators made the Bulls pay for it. Vernell Brown III returned the punt 40 yards and USF was flagged for a personal foul at the end of the play. UF takes over at the USF 20 with 14:22 left.

—The Gators have forced a much-needed staff to slow the USF momentum. UF came up with a big pass breakup on a deep throw on third and long.

THIRD QUARTER

—After a quick three-and-out, UF was forced to punt. But the snap was high and went through the end zone for a safety. SCORE: USF 15, Florida 9, 0:13.

—USF has taken the lead on a 66-yard touchdown pass on third down from quarterback Byrum Brown to Keshaun Singleton, who beat two UF defenders on a long throw down the right sideline. The Bulls have their first lead of the game. It was an 86-yard drive that took four plays. SCORE: USF 13, Florida 9, 2:03.

—USF can’t do much after the turnover and has punted. UF takes over at its own 11.

—Gators quarterback DJ Lagway just threw his first interception of the season on a downfield shot. James Chenault made the play for USF on a diving grab at the Bulls 18.

—USF picked up a couple quick first downs but ultimately stalled at the Bulls 34. After the punt, UF takes over the Florida 14 with 10:11 left on the clock in the third.

—The Gators offense just began the second half with a quick three-and-out. They lose three yards.

SECOND QUARTER

—USF closed the half with an eight play, 68-yard drive that resulted in a 25-yard field goal from Nico Gramatica as time expired. SCORE: Florida 9, USF 6, 0:00

—Field goal No. 3 is on the board for Trey Smack, this time from 41 yards out. The UF drive covered 64 yards over eight plays. SCORE: Florida 9, USF 3, 1:50

—The UF defense just got its first three-and-out of the game. After a punt, the Gators will take over at their own 13 with 5:19 left in the half.

—Trey Smack just connected on his second field goal of the game, this time from 36 yards out. The 13-play drive covered 57 yards. SCORE: Florida 6, USF 3, 7:13

—With a 38-yard field goal from Nico Gramatica, the Bulls have tied it. They just went 55 yards on 15 plays and took 5:47 off the clock. SCORE: Florida 3, USF 3, 14:52

FIRST QUARTER

—After one quarter, both teams have 86 yards of offense.

—Trey Smack just booted a 28-yard field goal to cap a 14-play, 81-yard drive. Running back Jadan Baugh had five carries for 51 yards. Quarterback DJ Lagway was 4 of 7 for 28 yards. SCORE: Florida 3, USF 0, 5:39

—USF picked up 31 yards and two first downs on its opening drive, but on 3rd-and-6 from the UF 44 a Byrum Brown pass was badly off the mark. The Bulls punted and UF takes over at the Florida 10 with 11:51 left in the first quarter.

—UF will kickoff to start the game and defend the South end zone.

How to watch the Florida Gators vs the USF Bulls

Date: Sat. Sept. 6
Time: 4:15 p.m. ET
Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548), Gainesville, Florida
TV: SEC Network
Stream: Cox 68/1068 [HD], DirecTV 611 [HD]
Radio: SiriusXM Channel: 160 / 190

On The Call — SEC Network

Play-by-Play: Dave Neal
Analyst: Fozzy Whittaker
Reporter: Morgan Uber

On The Call — Gator Sports Network from LEARFIELD

Play-by-Play: Sean Kelley
Analyst: Shane Matthews
Reporter: Tate Casey