BOCA RATON — Amid the wetness, wind and utter wackiness of the 10th Boca Raton Bowl arose an outcome that seemed somewhat fitting. The surreal evolution of USF manifested itself by the Bulls winning in an utter laugher.
Which represents a quantum stride from laughingstock.
Clearly bent on making a national statement against a Power Five foe, the Bulls didn’t merely put a bow on a resurgent season, they put a Grade-A stamp on it.
What other grade suffices at this point? A year and change after taking over one of the nation’s most moribund Football Bowl Subdivision programs, Alex Golesh has altered the culture, confidence and fortune of USF. The latest sign: a 45-0 romp Thursday night against a discombobulated Syracuse team before an FAU Stadium audience of 20,711.
A day after securing the top-rated signing class of any Group of Five program, the Bulls (7-6) clinched their first winning season in five years with their most lopsided bowl triumph ever. Offensive milestones — namely by quarterback Byrum Brown and receiver Sean Atkins — were reached, and the defense posted the program’s first shutout in 14 years.
As a result, USF will enter the offseason oozing momentum and harboring plausible American Athletic Conference title hopes. Brown is staying for a third season, and Atkins is remaining for a sixth. Top rusher Nay’Quan Wright also is expected back, and replenishments appear on the way for a defense that struggled mightily with consistency.
But back to 2023 for now. What Thursday night’s game couldn’t offer in blissful weather, it atoned for with the bizarre.
Syracuse (6-7), playing with an interim coach (Nunzio Campanile) and without starting quarterback Garrett Shrader (shoulder surgery), tried no fewer than three players under center. Six-foot-4 tight end Dan Villari, who played QB in a previous life…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/usf-bulls-clinch-winning-season-050300207.html
Author : Tampa Bay Times, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Publish date : 2023-12-22 05:03:00
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