USF Bulls Rally Past FAU Owls, 44-21, with Dominant Second Half

Nick Zukauskas • November 3, 2024

Bulls surge to victory behind ground game, second-half defensive lockdown

USF DB Brent Austin before the snap. Nicholas Zukauskas/Mahi Media

Boca Raton, Fla. — After a shaky first half, the University of South Florida Bulls (4-4; 2-2 AAC) overpowered the Florida Atlantic Owls (2-6; 0-4 AAC) in the second half, securing a 44-21 win in American Athletic Conference play Friday night. It was the Bulls' second straight conference victory, marked by a stellar run game and a relentless defensive front.

Trailing 14-7 at halftime, USF roared back, outscoring FAU 37-7 in the final 30 minutes. Junior quarterback Bryce Archie recorded his second win as a starter, passing for 206 yards, two touchdowns, and adding 25 rushing yards. The Bulls’ defense tied a program record with seven sacks and logged 13 tackles for loss, halting FAU’s offense repeatedly in the second half.

FAU took the lead on its opening drive, with running back CJ Campbell Jr. breaking through for a nine-yard touchdown. The Owls’ ground game thrived, gaining 149 yards in the first half, with Campbell tallying two scores, including a 30-yard breakaway. FAU’s defense held strong, forcing a missed USF field goal to maintain the Owls' momentum. Nay’Quan Wright provided the Bulls’ lone score in the first half with a career-high 64-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 7-7 before FAU regained the lead, heading into halftime at 14-7.

FAU GB Cam Fancher. Nicholas Zukauskas/Mahi Media

USF took control in the second half, using explosive runs and stifling defense to seize the game. Archie’s one-yard plunge tied it at 14-14, and after Campbell’s 64-yard receiving touchdown restored FAU’s lead briefly, the Bulls took over for good.

On a critical fourth-down play, Archie’s shovel pass to Wright set up a touchdown strike to Sean Atkins, tying the score at 21. The Bulls’ defense stepped up with a fourth-down stop on FAU’s next possession, and kicker John Cannon’s field goal gave USF its first lead, 24-21.

A forced fumble recovered by the Bulls’ DJ Gordon led to another score, and USF stretched its advantage to 31-21 by the end of the third quarter. Running backs Ta’Ron Keith and Kelley Joiner each added rushing touchdowns in the fourth, putting the game out of reach.

Key Performances and Stats

USF Rushing Attack: The Bulls racked up 319 rushing yards, with Wright leading the way at 117 yards and one touchdown.

USF Defense: Seven sacks tied a program record, and USF allowed only 93 second-half yards from FAU, forcing three punts and three turnovers on downs.

FAU Standouts: Campbell tallied three total touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving), finishing with 135 all-purpose yards. Quarterback Cam Fancher threw for 306 yards, marking his second 300-yard game this season.

Looking Ahead

The Bulls return home next Saturday for a Homecoming game against Navy, marking their annual Salute to Service event and a stadium groundbreaking. Meanwhile, FAU looks to regroup after their sixth loss of the season as they prepare for another AAC matchup.

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