Photo courtesy of USF Athletics
By Dominic Feo
Before the University of South Florida’s Week 3 matchup against No.5 Miami, there was unexpected optimism. USF won its first two games against ranked No. 25 Boise State and No.13 Florida, positioning the program at No.18, with a chance to climb higher. Beating a third was too tall of a task however, losing 49-12 in a weather-delayed blowout.
Miami quarterback Carson Beck looked comfortable early, completing his first five passes. The Georgia transfer got the offense down to USF’s 8-yard line before finding wide receiver Joshua Moore for his first passing touchdown of the night.
USF quarterback Byrum Brown and the offense only picked up one first down, but the drive stalled on the next set of downs after two incompletions and a stuffed run.
The Bulls defense got its first highlight of the game when linebacker Mac Harris laid a big hit on Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr. to force third down.
Unfazed, Miami moved the chains before ending its second drive with another touchdown pass to Moore. The 6’4 wideout hauled in a 39-yarder over a Bulls defender to extend the lead to 14.
USF countered with a 43-yard pass to Bulls wide receiver Chas Nimrod setting up a 45-yard field goal from kicker Nico Gramatica. The kick was USF’s first points scored during the first quarter of a game this season. Miami’s ensuing drive ended with USF’s first stop when Harris sacked Beck on 3rd and 11.
Almost two minutes into the second quarter, a rain delay halted the game for what was initially decided to be half an hour. The game did not resume until over an hour and a half later. The stoppage of play removed any momentum the Bulls may have built on from the previous sack.
When play resumed, the rain continued to pour as Miami began to pour on points.
Another Gramatica field goal made it a one-score game, only for the Hurricanes to score another 14 unanswered points, ballooning the lead to 28-6.
In USF territory, Miami was looking to score again, until a pass over the middle of the field was picked off by USF defensive back Jarvis Lee for Beck’s first interception since November of 2024.
A massive reason why USF ended the half down 28-6 was the Bulls inability to run the ball. Despite the downpour which usually prompts teams to run more, USF finished the first half with just 18 rushing yards. Miami passing for over 200 more yards did not help the Bulls either.
USF’s offensive struggles continued, beginning the second half with a three-and-out. A second Beck interception gave USF another chance, but Brown fumbled it away after a Miami defender used his helmet to jar the ball loose.
The Bulls offense gained more ground on its next drive, reaching Miami’s 9-yard line. The possession ended there though, as USF failed to convert on 4th and 2.
That proved to be USF’s last chance to keep the game competitive. Fletcher Jr. put the game away for Miami with his second rushing touchdown of the night.
USF’s first and only touchdown came from a 12-yard catch by freshman receiver Christian Neptune with just under 13 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Neptune caught a career-high seven passes, which is the most in a game by any USF player this season.
Miami reached the endzone again twice before the final whistle to make the final score 49-12.
Concluding a three-game stretch against ranked teams with a 2-1 record has positioned USF to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoffs if the Bulls win the American Conference Championship.
Fans must wait one more game for conference play, as USF hosts South Carolina State on Sept. 20.
