In the world of Florida Football, a new rivalry may have emerged in the meeting of FAU and USF.
The first half of the game between USF and FAU was a close contest, with USF trailing 21-14. However, things took a dramatic turn in the second half as FAU unleashed a barrage of four consecutive touchdown drives and even added a punt return touchdown to their impressive display, ultimately securing a resounding 56-14 victory.
FAU’s offensive prowess was on full display, racking up an impressive 587 yards of total offense. Quarterback Daniel Richardson led the charge with 382 passing yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver and punt return specialist LaJohntay Wester had an exceptional day, making 10 receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown. He also made a game-changing play in the third quarter by returning a punt 67 yards for a touchdown, effectively breaking the game wide open.
USF, despite the tough loss, had some standout performances on the offensive front. Running back Nay’Quan Wright had his second 100-yard rushing game of the season, finishing with 106 yards on the ground and a touchdown. Wide receiver Michael Brown-Stephens also made an impact, recording four receptions for 98 yards. On the defensive side, DJ Gordon led the Bulls with 10 tackles, while freshman cornerback Tavin Ward, in his first career start, contributed eight tackles, a tackle for loss, and a crucial interception.
FAU wasted no time making an impact, quickly scoring on their opening drive, covering 67 yards in seven plays and capping it off with a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Larry McCammon.
The USF defense came to life with tackles for loss by Mac Harris and Michael Williams, stopping the Owls’ drive. In a pivotal moment, Tavin Ward, the newcomer, snagged his first career interception, preventing FAU from extending their lead and giving USF the ball back on their own 4-yard line.
USF showed resilience with a deep 38-yard pass from quarterback Byrum Brown to Brown-Stephens. However, offensive miscues forced the Bulls to punt.
FAU, riding a wave of momentum, engineered an 86-yard drive in 10 plays, ending with a 9-yard rushing touchdown by Michael Johnson Jr., extending their lead to 14-0.
USF responded with a 26-yard pass from Brown to Atkins, seemingly leading to a touchdown. Still, the play was called back after review, with Atkins ruled to have stepped out of bounds at the FAU 50. Undeterred, a clever 27-yard pass from Atkins to Brown-Stephens, executed as a trick play, brought the Bulls near the red zone. The next play saw Nay’Quan Wright rush for 15 yards up the middle and then get the ball again for an 8-yard touchdown run, putting USF on the scoreboard.
FAU quickly replied, driving 75 yards for a 3-yard rushing touchdown, extending their lead to 21-7 with 5:30 left in the first half.
A fantastic 11-yard run from Brown and a targeting penalty on FAU placed the Bulls at the FAU 35-yard line. Subsequent runs of 14 and 10 yards by Wright brought the Bulls within striking distance, and Brown connected with tight end Gunnar Greenwald for a 2-yard touchdown pass, closing the gap to 21-14 at the end of the first half.
The second half opened with FAU making a powerful statement, driving 68 yards for a touchdown. The Bulls were then forced to punt, and FAU capitalized by marching 64 yards for another touchdown, establishing a commanding 21-point lead. Unfortunately for USF, their offense struggled once more, managing just three yards before having to punt. This time, LaJohntay Wester received the ball at the FAU 33 and raced through the Bulls’ defenders for a touchdown, stretching the lead to 42-14.
Soon the Owls were able to make the final score 56 -14 making this meeting of these two Florida teams one for the books. I’m sure each team will remember this game whether bad or good.
Final Thoughts
The statistics spoke volumes, as FAU out-gained their opponents 587 yards to 388, demonstrating their offensive might. Their impressive 9-of-16 conversion rate on third downs further solidified their control of the game, while the Bulls struggled at 3-of-15. Most strikingly, FAU’s 17 explosive plays throughout the game showcased their relentless pursuit of victory. As the final whistle blew, it became evident that this contest was a testament to FAU’s exceptional performance, underscoring their authority on the field and leaving an indelible mark on this thrilling gridiron encounter.
USF faces Connecticut on October 21st and FAU faces UTSA on the same day. Wishing these two Florida teams the best for the rest of their season!
