Bulls Look to Get Off to Strong Start Against the Green Wave

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The South Florida Bulls (2-2) open up their American Athletic Conference schedule against the Tulane Green Wave (2-2) on Sept. 28 at noon EST in New Orleans, La. The Green Wave are coming off a win against the Louisiana Rajun' Cajuns 41-33, while the Bulls lost to the now No. 7 Miami Hurricanes. It will be the first AAC matchup for either team.

The Game's Ramifications

This is the real season for both teams. For Tulane, it has had a rough schedule to open its season. They started off with a win against Southeastern Louisiana. However, that was followed by two close losses to now No. 23 Kansas State (34-27) and No. 21 Oklahoma (34-19). After the win against the Ragin' Cajuns, the Green Wave sit at 2-2. When they faced USF in 2022, they won easily, 45-31. However, this will be the first time they face off with Bulls head coach Alex Golesh, who is in his second year. Tulane will have to find a way to shut down the Bulls' rushing attack if they are to win the game.

For the Bulls, they have had a very similar season to the Green Wave. Both teams are at 2-2 and have lost to superior opponents. The Bulls lost to the Hurricanes 50-15 as well as to the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide 42-16 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. on Sept. 7. With the Bulls now headed to New Orleans, it is an all-new season. Linebacker Mac Harris, the leading tackler for the Bulls so far, said, "We just have to go in with a win mentality, considering who we are, especially as a defense."

Key Players: Tulane Green Wave

Offensively, the Green Wave are led by quarterback Darian Mensah. He has thrown for 796 yards, despite the difficult schedule. Other skill players that have played a part in the Green Wave's moderate success is running back Makhi Hughes and receiver Mario Williams. Hughes leads the team in rushing yards with 424, while Williams leads the team in receiving yards with 312.

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On defense, the Green Wave are led by linebacker Tyler Grubbs, who co-leads the team with 22 tackles along with safety Bailey Despanie. Another linebacker, Sam Howard, is the only other player in the 20+ range in terms of tackles.

Key Players: USF Bulls

The Bulls are led by quarterback Byrum Brown, who was shut down against Miami. The Bulls were forced to become a passing team, something they are not as good at, compared to their rushing attack. Brown has 702 passing yards and 281 rushing yards, leading the Bulls in both categories. The Bulls' running backs are right behind Brown as Kelley Joiner Jr. has 251 yards, Nay'Quan Wright has 199 yards and Ta'Ron Keith has 106 yards. Tulane will have to shut this down if it wants to win. Sean Atkins caught 11 passes in the loss against Miami. He could be an even bigger factor in a win.

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On defense, the Bulls have been led by linebacker Mac Harris. Harris leads the team in tackles with 24 as last year's leading tackler, Jhalyn Shuler, is out with an injury. Alongside Harris is De'Shawn Rucker and Jamie Pettway, the only other two Bulls who have made it into the 20+ club.

The Bulls and the Green Wave both are headed in the right direction, but this is where the real season starts. A win will be a huge confidence boost as the AAC season rolls along. A loss could be bad in the long run.

Broadcast Information:

Time: Noon EST

Date: Sept. 28.

Where: Yulman Stadium, New Orleans, La.

TV: ESPNU