Boise State opened the season in Florida with high hopes, but by the final whistle, the Broncos were walking off the field stunned. What began with an early touchdown quickly spiraled into a nightmare as South Florida hammered the 25th-ranked Broncos 34-7 at Raymond James Stadium.
Bulls dominate from start to finish
Boise State’s offense never found its rhythm and turnovers sealed their fate. Three fumbles, poor execution on fourth down, and special teams breakdowns gave the Bulls every opportunity to pull away. USF didn’t waste them, rolling off 34 straight points to turn what was expected to be a competitive opener into a lopsided statement win.
Boise State collapses after a hot start
Quarterback Maddux Madsen connected on a short touchdown pass late in the first quarter to give Boise State a 7-0 edge. That would be the last time the Broncos had anything to celebrate.
The offense sputtered behind a line that returned four starters but couldn’t generate push against USF’s front. Boise State managed just 122 rushing yards on 38 attempts, coughing the ball up three times in the process.
Madsen finished with 225 passing yards on 25-of-46 attempts, but his fumble late in the fourth quarter ended any thought of a rally.
Bulls set the tone with physical play
South Florida quarterback Byrum Brown delivered the type of performance Bulls fans have been waiting for. He threw for 210 yards and ran for two scores, showing poise against a defense that wore down as the night went on.
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The play that swung momentum for good came early in the third quarter when USF faked a punt near midfield. Backup quarterback Locklan Hewlett lofted a touchdown strike to Keshaun Singleton, catching the Broncos completely off guard. From that moment, the Bulls never looked back.
Running back Cartevious Norton added a bruising touchdown run in the fourth quarter, and kicker Nico Gramatica chipped in a pair of field goals to put the game out of reach.
What this means going forward
For South Florida, this wasn’t just an upset; it was a statement. The Bulls showed toughness on defense, creativity on special teams, and a quarterback capable of carrying the offense.
For Boise State, the loss raises immediate concerns. Without Ashton Jeanty in the backfield, the Broncos lacked explosiveness, and the mistakes piled up. Boise State will head home and host Eastern Washington on Friday. For South Florida, the Bulls are on the road at Miami on Saturday.
More NCAA Football News:
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- Showdown at Arrowhead: Nebraska and Cincinnati kick off in style
- Battle for respect: Rutgers and Ohio open with conference pride at stake
- Battle in the bay: Life without Jeanty begins for Boise State in 2025