> ## 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. # USF aims to reestablish run game, identity vs. South Carolina State - URL: https://www.bayareaexaminer.com/usf-aims-to-reestablish-run-game/ - Published: 2025-09-19T19:22:14.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-21T15:46:31.000Z - Description: Following the Bulls first loss of the season they return home looking for a bounce back win - Author: Collin Sherwin - Tags: #Migrated-1792597384348, #Import 2026-10-21 15:44 **TAMPA, Fla.** — The South Florida Bulls (2-1) will look to bounce back Saturday against South Carolina State (2-1) at Raymond James Stadium. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/77/a9/77a9bb8f-d0f1-45b5-8fed-5feacd465ef5/content/images/2026/10/48b561c2-66a6-4839-afd3-f4c56f0b5ec1_2832x1888-jpeg.jpg) Vanessa Wenzl | Bay Area Examiner USF is coming off a 49-12 drubbing at the hands of No. 5 Miami. Head coach Alex Golesh said, “That one hurt. It hurt in so many ways because it was a huge game in state against a really good football team and we didn’t play to the standard that we internally want to play to.” [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) The Bulls are 9-3 following a loss during Golesh’s tenure. After a physically demanding opening stretch against three ranked opponents in a row, USF will look to build momentum in its final nonconference game of 2025. Golesh said the Bulls’ “next step is the ability to run the football.” Under his leadership, USF’s offensive identity has been built on the ground game, but the rushing attack has been ineffective through the first three weeks. USF is averaging 95 rushing yards per game on 3.4 yards per carry. In 2024, the Bulls averaged 180.9 yards per game on 4.8 yards per carry. Their rushing success rate is 30.3%, ranking 131st nationally. Pro Football Focus gives the Bulls’ run-blocking unit a 45.8 grade, 133rd in the FBS. USF has split carries among four running backs this season. Sophomore Alvon Isaac has been the most effective with 108 yards on 7.7 yards per carry. Senior quarterback Byrum Brown is the team’s leading rusher, accounting for 39% of USF’s total rushing output in 2025\. Brown has looked sharp on the ground and through the air, averaging 249 passing yards per game with a 61.5% completion rate. In six games last season, he averaged 139.3 passing yards and completed 59.1% of his passes. The receiving corps has been one of the bright spots in USF’s 2-1 start. True freshman Christian Neptune leads the team with 12 catches and scored his first career touchdown last week against Miami. Neptune didn’t begin practicing until June due to a high school injury, but Golesh has praised his early impact. Senior receiver Chas Nimrod and sophomore receiver Keshaun Singleton lead the Bulls in yards. Nimrod has 248 yards and is averaging 24.8 yards per catch, while Singleton has 207 yards and is averaging 23 yards per catch. USF will try to get back on track offensively against a pesky South Carolina State defense that allows 169.7 passing yards per game. The Bulldogs are led by senior Michael Lunz, who has 11 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks this season. The Bulldogs’ lone Power Four matchup came Sept. 6 against No. 10 South Carolina. They lost 38-10 but outgained the Gamecocks 270-253\. If not for two South Carolina punt return touchdowns, the game could have been closer. South Carolina State, an HBCU competing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, has been playing football since 1909\. The Bulldogs went 9-3 last season and won the MEAC title in head coach Chennis Berry’s first season. The program has produced four Pro Football Hall of Famers — Harry Carson, Deacon Jones, Marion Motley and Donnie Shell — along with current Pro Bowler Javon Hargrave. USF is 28-1 all time against FCS schools. Its only loss came in 2013 against McNeese State. South Carolina State used two quarterbacks in its first two games, but senior Ryan Stubblefield started and finished the most recent outing. He went 21-of-35 for 286 yards and a touchdown. Senior William Atkins IV has 293 passing yards this season, and neither quarterback has thrown an interception. The Bulldogs scored 55 points last week against Bethune-Cookman after combining for 26 in their first two games. USF’s defense, which gave up 23 points across its first two games, struggled last week by allowing 49 to Miami. Turnovers have been a strength for the Bulls in 2025\. They have forced six while committing only two, ranking in the top 25 nationally in both takeaways per game and turnover margin. Sophomore cornerback James Chenault leads the team with two interceptions and has allowed just eight receptions through three games. The heart and soul of USF’s defense is senior linebackers Jhlayn Shuler and Mac Harris, who have combined for 55 tackles. USF will look to reestablish its run defense after giving up 205 yards on 5.4 yards per carry to Miami. In the first two games, the Bulls allowed a combined 255 yards on 3.6 yards per carry. One weakness has been the pass rush. USF has just three sacks this season and two quarterback hurries across the last two games. The Bulls return home to Raymond James Stadium, where Golesh encouraged fans to come out and see “college football the way it was meant to be played.” Kickoff is noon Saturday on ESPN+. [Subscribe](#/portal/signup)