NDL: S32W2 - South Florida (42) at UMass (7)
UMass QB throws 1 TD and 3INT's on the dayUMass falls in home opener 7-42
Article By: UMass suffered its first loss of the season in rough fashion. USF came out hot from the start and the minutemen couldnt sustain drives for most of the game. A few bad breaks fell on UMass... their first 3rd down attempt a screen was called and it was executed well until the ball was caught and the blocker prevented forward progress resulting in a loss of yards as well as some mix ups on defense leaving running lanes and any pass over the middle available for the Bulls offense.
UMass did have a TD drive in the 3rd quarter where the QB found a speedy receiver breaking to the middle of the field for a 51 yard completion. UMass will need to figure itself out quickly as it has dates with Texas A&M and Texas Tech up next.
GG coach
Bulls defense celebrate their TDBulls Dominate Minutemen
Article By: The South Florida Bulls couldn't have asked for a better start to their season, steamrolling the UMass Minutemen 42-7 on the road behind a relentless ground game, a swarming defense, and a tone-setting performance from senior leaders on both sides of the ball.
Leading the charge was running back Nay’Quan Wright, who turned in a career performance with 228 rushing yards, slicing through the UMass defense with power and vision. Wright's effort kept the chains moving and the Minutemen on their heels from the opening kickoff.
“This was a statement game for us,” Wright said postgame. “We came in knowing what we were capable of, and today, we showed a glimpse of it.”
But it wasn’t just the offense that flexed its muscle.
South Florida’s defense was lights-out, intercepting UMass senior quarterback Taisun Phommachanh three times, including a crucial pick-six early in the third quarter that effectively sealed the deal. The Bulls’ defensive unit flew to the ball and kept UMass off balance all afternoon, allowing just one score in a lopsided contest.
Senior linebacker Jhalyn Shuler anchored the middle of the defense, drawing praise from his head coach not just for his physicality, but for his leadership.
“Jhalyn is the heartbeat of our defense,” said Coach Larry Bell after the game. “He plays with passion, and the guys feed off his energy. I’m proud of how he led us today.”
On the offensive side, quarterback Byrum Brown orchestrated the tempo with poise and control, efficiently managing the game and keeping the Bulls in rhythm. His ability to extend drives and protect the football gave USF the balance they’ve been striving for in recent seasons.
Despite the resounding win, Coach Bell remained grounded in his assessment of the team’s performance.
“I loved the energy, the execution, and the effort,” Bell said. “But we’re far from perfect. There’s still a lot to clean up. This is just the beginning, and we have to stay focused and hungry.”
The Bulls will need that focus next week as they prepare for a daunting road matchup against Big Ten powerhouse Michigan State. While Saturday’s win over UMass showcased their potential, Bell and his squad know that the journey is just getting started.
“This is a good first step,” Bell added. “But we’ve got bigger goals ahead.”
If Week 1 was any indication, the Bulls of South Florida are ready to make some noise in 2025.
HOME
Live
Discord