USF Looks to Continue Momentum in a Clash Between 2 Former NFL WRs
The Bulls head back home after their thrilling win at Army last week to host Delaware State.
The South Florida Bulls (2-0) return home after an exhilarating win to face the Delaware State Hornets (2-1).
It’s USF’s first game following its stunning 28-24 come-from-behind victory against Army. The Bulls are looking to start the season 3-0 for the first time since 2018 and the seventh time in program history.
“We’ve done a really good job, but there’s so many possibilities to grow. And we are looking forward to capitalizing on it,” USF head coach Brian Hartline said Tuesday.
The Bulls trailed Army 24-14 with 4:59 left in the game before storming back and scoring the game’s final 14 points in the win. It was the fifth time in program history that USF has erased a double-digit deficit to come back and win a road game.
USF’s comeback was led by junior quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr who had 136 passing yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter last Saturday. He found sophomore wide receiver Joshua Porter in the end zone on fourth-and-5 with 19 seconds left in the game to give the Bulls the win.
Setting the Stage for South Florida
Van Buren Jr. had 239 passing yards, 45 rushing yards and four total touchdowns against the Black Knights. He was named to the Davey O’Brien Great 8 list and American Conference Honor Roll for his performance.
Overall this season, Van Buren Jr. has a 90.7 grade, according to Pro Football Focus, the sixth-best grade among quarterbacks in the FBS.
USF’s greatest strength on offense this season has been its clean play. The Bulls are one of just 21 teams in the FBS without a turnover this season. According to PFF, Van Buren Jr. doesn’t have a single turnover-worthy play this year.
“He wants to be an expert of all areas of being a quarterback and protecting the football is number one,” Hartline said about Van Buren Jr. “He expects himself to get better, we expect him to get better, but he’s made a couple good strides.”
The Bulls are one of two teams in the FBS to have zero turnovers or seven or fewer penalties in the 2026 season.
On defense, the Bulls rank third in the American Conference, allowing just 16.5 points per game. Their opponents are averaging 5.3 yards per play this season.
USF’s leading tackler this season is senior Georgia Southern transfer defensive back Ayden Jackson, who has 16 tackles along with a tackle for loss and a pass breakup this season. Three other Bulls have reached double-digit tackles through two games: sophomore linebacker Robinson, junior linebacker Rodney Hill and graduate safety Tavin Ward.
Setting the Stage for Delaware State
The Hornets are an FCS squad that plays in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. They are coming off a win against Bowie State last Saturday.
Delaware State is led by second-year head coach DeSean Jackson. In his first year at the helm last year, the Hornets went 8-4. Jackson took over last season following a 1-11 season for the Hornets in 2024.
Before coaching, Jackson spent 15 seasons in the NFL with six different teams. He returns to Raymond James Stadium, where he played his home games with the Bucs in 2017 and 2018.
While it’s the first time Hartline and Jackson have met as head coaches, it’s not the first time they’ve faced off against one another. On Dec. 11, 2011, the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles faced off in Miami. Hartline had one reception for 24 yards, while Jackson had four catches for 59 yards and a 34-yard touchdown. Jackson’s Eagles beat Hartline’s Dolphins 26-10.
Despite having a former Pro Bowl wide receiver as a head coach, the Hornets rely heavily on their rushing attack.
More than 50% of Delaware State’s offensive production this season comes on the ground. The Hornets are averaging exactly 6.3 yards per completion and yards per rush. In 2025, the Hornets finished the season with 3,480 rushing yards and only 1,913 passing yards.
Delaware State has three rushers who have accounted for more than 100 yards on the ground through three games. Their leading rusher is graduate running back Jayden Jenkins, who returned to the team after being the team’s third-string running back and rushing for 214 yards in 11 games last season. Sophomore running back Sean Weston Jr. has also rushed for 114 yards this season. Both backs are averaging more than 5 yards per carry this season.
Senior Hornets quarterback Ui Ale (pronounced: OO-ee AH-lay) is the other 100-yard rusher on the squad with 119 yards this season. Through the air, Ale has a 57.9% completion rate and 530 passing yards. He has just one touchdown pass and three interceptions this season. Delaware State also plays senior quarterback Noah Brannock, who has 88 passing yards, 70 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns and an interception this season.
On defense, Delaware State’s opponents are averaging 20.7 points per game this season. The Hornets are holding their opponents to 3 yards per carry this season. They have racked up 11 sacks and 24 tackles for loss in three games.
The Hornets’ leading tackler this season is freshman linebacker Andrew Harris, who has 19 tackles along with three tackles for loss and a sack this year. Another standout for their defense has been sophomore linebacker Kemari Nix, who has 17 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks thus far.
Delaware State is 0-7 against FBS teams in program history.
Keys to the Matchup
USF’s offense has leaned on just a few skill-position players in the 2026 season. Only two running backs and five wide receivers have seen time in the Bulls’ first two games.
Junior running back Jason Collins Jr. leads the Bulls with 99 rushing yards in two games. Senior wide receiver Arhmad Branch leads USF with 10 catches for 100 yards.
The Bulls could look to get more skill players involved against their FCS opponent.
USF’s offense is also still searching for more explosive plays starting Saturday. The Bulls only have four explosives in 130 offensive plays this season.
The Bulls’ offense will look for continued improvement headed into Week 3. USF increased its point total by nine, yard total by 161 and first-down output by seven from its Week 1 to Week 2 game.
On the other side of the ball, the Bulls’ pass rush has struggled to get going. USF has just two sacks this season and 15 quarterback hurries on 140 defensive snaps this season. Robinson leads the Bulls with four quarterback hurries this season.
“For us to accomplish our goals regardless of what outcomes on Saturdays we must get better week to week or we will not be where we want to be in about four weeks,” Hartline said Tuesday. “We’re off to a decent start, but we’re nowhere near creating an identity of who we are yet.”
The Bulls will look to continue creating that identity and growing into the team’s lofty expectations around the team Saturday night at 7 p.m. on ESPN+ against Delaware State.