History has been made. On Sept. 6, the University of South Florida cracked the AP Top 25, landing at No. 18, its first ranking since 2018, after an electrifying 18–16 upset of No. 13 Florida at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. 

The Bulls are now one of only a few unranked teams ever to begin a season 2–0 against ranked opponents, having followed up a Week 1 triumph over then No. 25 Boise State (34–7) with this seismic win in the swamp. 

Redshirt junior quarterback Byrum Brown paced the charge, completing 23-of-36 passes for 263 yards and scrambling for 66 more yards, including a stunning 66-yard touchdown connection with sophomore wide receiver Keshaun Singleton that gave USF the lead in the third quarter.

After the game, Brown praised his playmaker:

“Keshaun gonna make a play, and when you give him an opportunity to make a play… that’s what happens.”

Head coach Alex Golesh got emotional reflecting on his family’s support:

“I really wanted to see my family… I told my wife and kiddos, man, I’m grateful to them. They’re the ones without a dad for most of the year, and they’re the ones that really make moments like this are for.”

USF’s victory was secured by a clutch 20-yard field goal by Nico Gramatica as time expired.

Looking ahead, the Bulls face perhaps their toughest test yet: a road showdown with No. 5 Miami at Hard Rock Stadium on Sept. 13