USF crumbles in 4th quarter in crushing 34-31 loss at Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The No. 18 South Florida Bulls were defeated in crushing fashion, 34-31, against the Memphis Tigers on Saturday afternoon.

USF led 31-17 at the start of the fourth quarter. Graduate running back Sam Franklin had just put the Bulls up two scores with a 73-yard touchdown run — the longest play of the season for USF’s offense.

From there, the Bulls’ offense sputtered and the defense wore down as Memphis scored the game’s final 17 points, all in the final frame. The Tigers outgained USF 221-89 in the fourth quarter.

USF had outscored opponents by 26 points in fourth quarters leading up to the game. It was the first time an American Conference opponent had outscored the Bulls in the second half this season.

“We didn’t finish,” head coach Alex Golesh said, taking the blame for the Bulls’ collapse.

With 1:07 left, senior Memphis quarterback Brendon Lewis found the team’s leading receiver, senior Cortez Branham Jr., for a touchdown to give the Tigers their first lead since the first quarter.

Lewis’ status was a question mark after he sustained an ankle injury last week against UAB. He warmed up pregame and was cleared to play. Lewis completed 27-of-44 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns. Branham finished with seven catches for 75 yards and both receiving scores.

On USF’s ensuing drive, the Bulls marched to the Memphis 24-yard line with ten seconds remaining. Golesh elected to take a shot at the end zone, but graduate offensive lineman Cole Best was called for holding, backing the Bulls up to the 34.

USF turned to sophomore kicker Nico Gramatica for a 52-yard field goal to tie the game. The execution faltered — a low snap was scooped up by senior punter Chase Leon, and Gramatica’s wobbly kick missed wide left. He is now 4-for-9 on field goals of 50 yards or more in his career.

The win was Memphis’ 11th straight at home and its fifth straight over USF. Golesh is now 0-3 against the Tigers since taking over as head coach.

The loss casts uncertainty over USF’s American title hopes. The Bulls now trail Tulane and Navy, who are both undefeated in conference play, and sit in a group of five teams with one conference loss.

Quarterback Byrum Brown totaled 390 yards — 269 passing and 121 rushing — and accounted for three touchdowns, his most total yards in a game this season.

On USF’s first possession, Brown was intercepted by junior linebacker Everett Roussaw Jr. It was the only turnover of the game, snapping USF’s 15-game streak of forcing at least one takeaway.

“I wish I could take my early turnover back,” Brown said.

After that interception, USF’s offense found its rhythm, scoring 24 first-half points to take a ten point lead into halftime.

The Bulls’ ground game was dominant, rushing for 295 yards on 7.8 yards per carry. Explosive runs of 44, 60 and 73 yards fueled the offense. Franklin ran for 81 yards, and sophomore Nykai Davenport added 67.

Sophomore Keshaun Singleton had a game-high 88 receiving yards on seven catches. Freshman Jeremiah Koger added five receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown.

Memphis ran for 129 yards on 3.8 yards per carry — well below its season averages of 220.9 yards and 5.6 yards per carry entering the game. However, 73 of the Tigers’ rushing yards came in the fourth quarter.

“I hate to be cliché or corny, but it’s the truth — as a defense we have to suffocate people,” graduate linebacker Mac Harris said. The only suffocation came from the Bulls sideline as USF choked away multiple double-digit leads.

USF’s defense forced five consecutive punts after Memphis’ opening-drive touchdown but didn’t force another for the Tigers’ final six possessions.

Senior running back Greg Desrosiers Jr. had 33 rushing yards, 45 receiving yards and a rushing touchdown. Junior receiver Jamari Hawkins led Memphis with 85 receiving yards, including a key 57-yard catch in the fourth quarter.

Harris led the Bulls with 13 tackles. Sophomore cornerback Jarvis Lee had seven tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Senior cornerback Jonas Duclona and defensive end Rico Watson III also recorded sacks.

USF converted 12-of-18 third downs — its most in a game this season — while Memphis was 6-of-16. However, the Tigers converted both of their fourth-down attempts, including a crucial fourth-and-8 conversion on their go-ahead drive.

The Bulls went 0-for-2 on fourth down, including being stopped on fourth-and-3 in the red zone early in the third quarter — a decision that loomed large in a three-point loss.

“In a lot of ways, those two fourth downs are the difference in the game,” Golesh said.

An odd phenomenon unfolded at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium: Memphis fans booed every time a USF player was injured. Regardless of who it was or how it happened, a chorus of boos rang out each time athletic trainer Scott Wood came onto the field to tend to a player.

“I’ve never been at a place where you get booed when a kid is injured,” Golesh said. He even taunted the crowd in the third quarter as he walked off the field after checking on an injured Jacob Merrifield.

The loss is a heartbreaking one for the Bulls, especially considering the blown lead. Still, with only one conference loss and a month of play remaining, USF has a chance to recover.

“Everyone is hurt, everyone is broken and everyone is looking to improve — and from a loss, that’s all you can ask for,” Harris said.

USF has a bye week next week and will look to use the time to heal physically and emotionally from the tough loss.