Photo by Arianna Howell | The Crow’s Nest
By Isabella Perez
The South Florida Bulls suffered their first loss of the 2026 season after a 17-13 loss to Temple on Oct. 3. This loss breaks the Bulls’ nine home game winning streak 2026 season winning streak after achieving their first ever 4-0 start since the 2018 season.
Consistent to previous games this year, the Bulls offense struggled to make impactful plays. The Bulls are averaging 26.6 points per game; a sharp 41.41% decrease compared to the 45.4 points per game averaged in the 2025 season.
“I think we’re doing a poor job of taking practice to game day execution,” said head coach Brian Hartline. “I think that it feels like, you know, alignment issues, like, just not being on the ball or covering guys up.”
The first half of the game saw a lack of playmaking from the offense, with USF’s only points coming from a 35-yard kick from Nico Gramatica.
After Temple tied the game at 3-3 with their own 34-yard field goal, the Bulls offense failed to execute a five-play drive and missed additional points after a failed 52-yard kick attempt from Gramatica.
Temple capitalized on the Bulls’ mistakes and closed out the first half with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Ajani Sheppard, bringing the score to 10-3.
This was the second game in a row in which the Bulls went into the second half at a deficit, as they were down six points against Bowling Green on Sept. 26
“The biggest thing for us is we got to do a better job of complimenting each other. We [need to] do a better job starting fast on offense to make sure we help the defense,’ said Hartline. “And then not putting ourselves in a spot where now, we have to wake up on offense and go move the football.”
The second half of the game saw offensive improvements from the Bulls, with running back D.J. Crowther scoring his sixth touchdown of the season.
“D.J.’s always running hard. He is doing a really good job,” said Hartline. “Probably have to give him more opportunities.”
The Bulls defense also managed an important turnover from defensive end C.J. Hicks, which prevented a Temple touchdown in the third quarter.
Hicks’ turnover and a Gramatica 49-yard field goal helped USF take the game lead for the first time since the early minutes of the game with a 13-10 score.
Temple, however, maintained pressure on USF through the end of the game. After stopping the Bulls’ drive, they converted a 34-yard touchdown with less than four minutes left of the game, taking the game lead from USF and turning the score to 17-13.
Although USF had opportunities in the final minutes of the game to take the lead from Temple, the team was unable to respond in the final minutes of the game, leaving the score as it was, giving Temple the win.
“I think we need to do a better job [at] probably putting guys in position to execute better,” said Hartline. “…We’ll take a hard look at, you know, plays we’re selecting at the right times and see if we’re putting guys in the right spots for those opportunities to do better.”
The loss highlights USF’s offensive struggles of the season thus far, and leaves USF to examine how to move forward as the season continues.
“As much as it stings to have a loss,” said Hartline. “I think everything happens for a reason.”
USF is set to continue conference play this Thursday against UTSA in San Antonio, Texas. Both teams are 4-1 in the AAC this season so far. The game will be broadcast on ESPN at 7:30 p.m.
