The USF Bulls, with a thrilling second-half turnaround, topped their archrival FAU Owls 44-21 on Friday night in a pivotal American Athletic Conference (AAC) clash. USF’s dominant second-half performance propelled them above .500 on the season, advancing their record to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in conference play. FAU, now 2-6 and 0-4 in the AAC, had controlled much of the first half but was ultimately overrun by the Bulls’ relentless offense and revamped defense after halftime.
FAU came out strong, establishing a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter. The Owls’ offense, led by quarterback Cam Fancher, was firing on all cylinders, methodically moving the ball downfield against a USF defense that initially seemed overmatched. Fancher shined in the first half, throwing for a significant portion of his game totals—22 completions on 42 attempts for 306 yards and a touchdown.
The Bulls found themselves trailing 14-7 at halftime, struggling with consistency on both sides of the ball. Despite managing to score once in the first half, the USF offense was stagnant, logging only 166 total yards compared to FAU’s 306. FAU’s balanced offensive attack, with 149 rushing yards in the opening half, kept USF on the back foot, and it looked like the Owls might continue their dominance.
The second half saw a completely different USF team take the field. Head coach Alex Golesh credited key halftime adjustments on both offense and defense as the spark that ignited the Bulls’ comeback. USF came out firing, scoring on six consecutive possessions and putting up 30 unanswered points, turning a 14-7 deficit into a comfortable lead.
Quarterback Bryce Archie played his best game yet in a Bulls uniform, passing for 206 yards and two touchdowns. The Bulls’ ground game exploded in the second half, with Nay’Quan Wright, Kelly Joiner, and Ta’ron Keith all finding success. Wright led the trio with 117 yards on the ground, while Joiner added 89 yards, and Keith contributed 81. All three backs scored touchdowns, helping USF finish the night with an impressive 319 rushing yards, averaging 7.4 yards per carry.
The Bulls’ defense also came alive in the second half, putting consistent pressure on Fancher and stifling the FAU offense. USF’s defensive front tied a program record with seven sacks, halting FAU’s momentum and forcing the Owls into a series of punts and turnovers. The Bulls also forced a key turnover and ended three FAU drives on downs, disrupting any hope of a comeback for the Owls.
Jhalyn Shuler and Decarius Hawthorne led the defensive charge, each tallying 1.5 sacks, while the rest of the defense contributed seven tackles for loss. The unit’s resilience allowed USF to dominate both sides of the ball, with FAU held scoreless for most of the second half until a late-game touchdown.
The rivalry’s intensity was evident in the postgame handshake, or lack thereof. USF’s Golesh, in a frosty interaction, brushed past FAU head coach Tom Herman, barely extending a hand. Herman attempted to engage Golesh further but was unsuccessful, underscoring the rivalry’s heated nature.
With the win, USF now sits at 4-4 overall and 2-2 in the AAC, giving them a chance to finish strong with four games left in the season. FAU, now 2-6 and winless in conference play, faces an uphill battle to salvage their season. Both teams have plenty to play for, but Friday night’s result served as a statement by USF, showcasing their resilience and potential in a tough AAC landscape.
