USF announces a significant decision regarding Byrum Brown’s Injury following the loss to Tulane.
For all the swagger, confidence, and competitive fire that head coach Alex Golesh has brought to USF, a signature win—the kind that fans could point to as a defining moment—remains elusive. Saturday’s matchup against American Athletic Conference heavyweight Tulane looked like a prime opportunity to change that narrative. But instead of a breakthrough victory, the Bulls (2-3, 0-1 AAC) found themselves overwhelmed and outmatched, falling 45-10 in a lopsided affair at Yulman Stadium.
Coming off close battles with Alabama and Miami, USF’s performance in New Orleans was a far cry from the scrappy, competitive play seen in recent weeks. Tulane (3-2, 1-0 AAC) quickly jumped out to a 17-0 lead before USF even crossed midfield, exposing the Bulls in nearly every phase of the game. By halftime, Tulane had a commanding 31-7 lead, and any hope of a comeback had long evaporated.
“I’ve got to own us looking the way we did,” Golesh said after the game. “Because it wasn’t good.”
The Bulls, who haven’t secured a win over an FBS team with a winning record under Golesh’s tenure, looked flat and disorganized. Their only two wins this season came against Bethune-Cookman and Southern Miss, teams with a combined record of 1-7 heading into the weekend.
To make matters worse, starting quarterback Byrum Brown, who had been one of the team’s bright spots this season, left the game in the third quarter after suffering a lower left leg injury. He was seen on the sideline wearing a protective boot, and Golesh had no immediate update on his condition, saying the team would evaluate him after returning home.
Despite the promising signs earlier in the season, the Bulls’ high-tempo offense sputtered, managing only 26 rushing yards on 25 carries. Tulane’s defense dominated, forcing turnovers and limiting USF to just two plays of 15 yards or more in the entire game. Meanwhile, Tulane’s offense, led by redshirt freshman Darian Mensah, moved the ball at will, racking up 12 plays of at least 10 yards on their first three drives.
“It’s been two weeks in a row now where we haven’t run the ball like we need to, we haven’t protected the quarterback like we need to, we haven’t sustained drives like we need to,” Golesh admitted. “We’ve got to figure out exactly what the heck it is, and that’s on me.”
With a bye week ahead, Golesh and the Bulls have some time to regroup before their next game, but the loss leaves lingering questions about the direction of the program. A win over Tulane could have been a turning point, but instead, it underscored the challenges still facing Golesh as he works to build a competitive team in the AAC.
For now, USF must use this break to recalibrate, as their pursuit of a signature win—and a strong season—continues.