USF Gets Back on Track With Win Against the UAB Blazers

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The South Florida Bulls (3-4, 1-2 American Athletic) defeated the Alabama-Birmingham (1-6, 0-4) 35-25, on Oct. 19 in Tampa, Fla. The game was rather ugly for both teams with neither really being convincing or dominating any part of the game. It was just the Bulls' day.

The opening drive for the Bulls was an immediate three-and-out. The Blazers got the ball and got a few first downs before having to punt the ball themselves. The Bulls, once again were forced to start quarterback Bryce Archie instead of star quarterback Byrum Brown due to Brown's leg injury he suffered against Tulane. Archie finished with 17-of-31, 201 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. The Blazers' Jalen Kitna ended with 33-of-56, 384 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.

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With the return of defensive leader, linebacker Jhlayn Shuler to the fold, the Bulls were able to keep the Blazers to just 25 points. While the defense played well, the Bulls offense struggled mightily against the Blazers. The Bulls nearly took the lead halfway through the first quarter. Archie found a wide-open receiver in JeyQuan Smith which led to a touchdown. However, it was called back due to an illegal touching penalty. The Bulls punted two plays later.

USF's Turning Point

The Bulls' turning point in this game was early in the second quarter. The first touchdown of either team (despite two called back against USF), Archie found receiver Keshaun Singleton for a 68-yard touchdown, the first of Singleton's career. It made the score 7-3.

For the Blazers, a huge point in the game for them was taking the lead with 21 seconds left in the first half with third field goal from kicker Jonah Delange, making it 9-7 UAB at the half.

Thanks to a muffed punt by Sean Atkins, the Blazers were able to extend their lead to 19-7. However, a few drives later, the Bulls had their best drive of the entire game. With some help due to penalties, the Bulls went 12 plays, 44 yards to score their second touchdown of the game. Running back Ta'Ron Keith scored on a 4-yard touchdown run, making the score 19-14.

The following drive, Shuler picked off Kitna and returned it deep into Blazer territory. The Bulls turned that interception into just 6 points as head coach Alex Golesh decided to go for two. The Bulls did not convert it. They did however get their first lead of the game 20-19.

In the fourth quarter, the Blazers scored another touchdown and failed on the 2-point conversion as well. But, that was where everything went downhill for UAB. In the final five minutes, the Bulls scored 2 touchdowns to win the game 35-25. Both came from running back Kelley Joiner Jr.

What This Means

For USF, the win puts the season back on track as the Bulls might just have enough to nab a bowl invitation. While the win wasn't pretty, they will take it and move on toward the rest of the season. With Florida Atlantic (2-5, 0-3) (Nov. 1) and No. 25 Navy (6-0, 4-0) (Nov. 9) as their next two opponents, the Bulls will need to play significantly better if they want that opportunity.

For UAB, the win was nearly in their grasp, but they let go at the end. Not only is head coach Trent Dilfer already on the hot seat, but now his seat becomes blazing as the next weeks approach. They have Tulsa (2-5, 0-3) (Nov. 2) and Connecticut (4-3) (Nov. 9) in the coming weeks. Both of these matchups do not favor the Blazers.