Byrum Brown accounted for five touchdowns as No. 24 South Florida erupted for 28 straight points to hand previously unbeaten North Texas its first loss of the season, 63-36 on Friday night.
Brown threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more, while Jhalyn Shuler’s 34-yard fumble return saw the Bulls (5-1, 2-0 AAC) pull away in the second half.
South Florida tied the game at 21 just before halftime after North Texas muffed a punt, setting up Brown’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Echols. The Bulls took control early in the third quarter when receiver Christian Neptune threw a 29-yard trick-play touchdown to Keshaun Singleton. Sam Franklin added an 11-yard score a minute later, followed by Shuler’s defensive return to make it 42-21.
“We came out of the half just rocking, and that’s offense and defense,” Bulls coach Alex Golesh said. “Defensively, to cause four turnovers against a really good offense … that was really intentional by our guys.”
North Texas (5-1, 1-1 AAC) lost despite quarterback Drew Mestemaker throwing for 326 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for another. He also threw three interceptions after entering the game with none.
Brown completed 22 of 28 passes for 245 yards and rushed 21 times for 82 yards. The Bulls outgained the Mean Green 580-423.
South Florida has scored 229 points over its past four games, hitting the 50-point mark in each of the past three games.
The Bulls host Florida Atlantic on Oct. 18, while North Texas faces UTSA the same day.
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