> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.bayareaexaminer.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Alex Golesh Earns Signature Win as USF routs No. 25 Boise State - URL: https://www.bayareaexaminer.com/alex-golesh-earns-signature-win-as/ - Published: 2025-08-29T21:23:49.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-21T15:46:50.000Z - Description: This ain't the same old South Florida Bulls - Author: Collin Sherwin - Tags: #Migrated-1792597384348, #Import 2026-10-21 15:44 TAMPA, Fla. — The University of South Florida opened the 2025 football season with a resounding 34-7 victory against No. 25 Boise State on Thursday night at Raymond James Stadium. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/77/a9/77a9bb8f-d0f1-45b5-8fed-5feacd465ef5/content/images/2026/10/e8673f25-65b4-4556-8949-bcffdfb5077f_4749x3166-jpeg.jpg) Credit: Vanessa Wenzl | The Bay Area Examiner The win was the biggest in Alex Golesh’s tenure as head coach of the Bulls, and his message afterward was clear. [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) “This ain’t the same old South Florida Bulls,” an emotional Golesh said, calling back to the words of late USF basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim. Senior quarterback Byrum Brown later repeated the phrase during the press conference. USF trailed 7-0 after the first quarter, then scored 34 unanswered points in a statement win. It was the Bulls’ 12th victory over an AP Top 25 opponent, but their first since 2016 when they beat No. 22 Navy. Entering Thursday, USF was on an 18-game losing streak against ranked teams. “For the first time in two and a half years I felt like we truly were ready to put a true identity out on display,” Golesh said. USF’s defense stifled the Broncos for four quarters, forcing three fumbles. Boise State lost only five fumbles in the entire 2024 season. The Bulls also held the Broncos to 6 of 17 on third down and 2 of 6 on fourth down. The first fumble came on Boise State’s opening drive. On 3rd-and-10 from the USF 39, senior linebacker Mac Harris delivered a hit on running back Malik Sherrod that jarred the ball loose. Senior linebacker Jhalyn Schuler recovered, setting the tone for USF’s defense. Schuler had a career-high 14 tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup. Harris finished with eight tackles and the forced fumble. Schuler later joked the two were like “the Avengers.” Another fumble was forced by junior cornerback Jonas Duclona, a Wisconsin transfer making his USF debut. He recorded six tackles, a tackle for loss, a pass breakup and a big hit on running back Sire Gaines that forced a red-zone turnover. Sherrod, Gaines and Dylan Riley carried the ball for Boise State, which was playing its first game since All-American running back Ashton Jeanty was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders. The Broncos rushed for 122 yards and averaged 3.2 yards per carry. Transfer senior defensive tackles Devin Lee and Josh Celiscar were key in shutting down the run. Celiscar wore No. 63 for the first time Thursday, becoming the first USF defensive lineman to carry on Lee Roy Selmon’s legacy in that number. Boise State junior quarterback Maddux Madsen struggled against USF’s swarming defense, completing 25 of 46 passes for 225 yards with one touchdown and finishing with a 26.0 quarterback rating. The game’s biggest play came in the third quarter from USF’s special teams. On 4th-and-6, the Bulls lined up with freshman quarterback Locklan Hewlett in the punt formation instead of senior punter Chase Leon. Hewlett fielded a low snap and connected with junior receiver Keshaun Singleton for a 45-yard touchdown that extended the lead to 17-7. Special teams coordinator Chad Creamer said the play was designed over the summer, with Hewlett’s smaller stature aiding the deception. “He looks like our punters,” Creamer said. “We got the look we wanted and we went,” Golesh added. “We had talked through that situation in that area on the field this week at practice.” Golesh’s bold call jump-started a second half in which the Bulls outscored the Broncos 24-0. Offensively, USF started slow, posting minus-3 yards over its first two drives. Byrum Brown was stopped on a fourth-and-1 sneak during the second drive. From there, the Bulls’ offense found its rhythm behind Brown. He finished 16 of 24 for 210 yards passing, added 43 rushing yards and scored two rushing touchdowns. It was Brown’s first start since Sept. 28, 2024, when he suffered a lower-leg injury. Golesh said he thought Brown looked “locked in” the entire game. Both scores showcased his 6-foot-3, 232-pound frame as he powered through Boise State defenders. Brown also completed three passes of 35 yards or more. Singleton and senior transfer Chas Nimrod provided the explosive plays. Singleton had five catches for 93 yards and a touchdown, while Nimrod caught three passes for 96 yards. Attendance was 34,707, with some students storming the field after the upset. “I challenged the guys tonight, I’ll challenge them tomorrow,” Golesh said. “Winners act a certain way. Elite football teams act a certain way. That’s another step we have to learn — how to put this behind us.” Next, USF travels to Gainesville to play Florida on Sept. 23. [Subscribe](#/portal/signup)