The University of South Florida Bulls made a statement on the road with a decisive 35-7 victory over Navy, propelled by an explosive start and a relentless defensive performance.
USF set the tone early, as quarterback Byrum Brown connected with speedy wide receiver Jaquan Smith on an 85-yard post route on the game's first drive. The electrifying play gave the Bulls a lead they would never relinquish.
The Bulls capitalized on Navy's struggles, forcing five turnovers and converting four of them into touchdowns. USF's defense disrupted the academy's vaunted triple-option attack, limiting big plays and pouncing on every misstep.
"Our defense was relentless tonight," said Coach Marine, head coach of the Bulls. "We knew coming in that limiting their ground game and forcing mistakes would be key, and our guys executed perfectly."
Offensively, USF struck a perfect balance, with Senior HB Nay'Quin Wright playing pivotal roles in putting the game out of reach. By halftime, the Bulls held a commanding 35-0 lead, 28 points coming off Navy turnovers.
Navy, meanwhile, struggled to find its footing. Their triple-option attack was largely stifled, and their lone score came in the fourth quarter. "We just didn't execute, and mistakes killed us," said Navy head coach Code_One14. "Credit to USF—they made us pay for every turnover."
The victory pushes USF further up the bowl eligibility ladder, as they now sit at 4-6, eyeing a postseason berth. Meanwhile, Navy falls to 1-8, shifting their focus to rebuilding for next season.
"We’re building something special," Smith said postgame. "Wins like this show the hard work paying off."
The Bulls look to continue their momentum next week as they face Tulsa on the road, while Navy will regroup and try to end the season on a high note.
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