Tampa, FL—-South Florida closed its regular season with a statement performance on Saturday night, overwhelming Rice 52–3 behind a dominant all-around effort from quarterback Byrum Brown.
Brown was in full control from the opening snap, completing 16 of 24 passes for 275 yards and four touchdowns while adding 104 yards rushing and another score on 15 carries. His early connection with Keshaun Singleton set the tone: Singleton hauled in touchdown grabs of 5 and 47 yards in the first quarter as the Bulls (9–3, 6–2 American Athletic Conference) raced ahead 14–0.
Brown struck again early in the second quarter, hitting Mudia Reuben in stride for a 60-yard touchdown. Moments later, Nykahi Davenport punched in a 2-yard score, stretching the lead to 28–3 at halftime.
South Florida kept its foot on the gas coming out of the break. Brown opened the second half with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Kroger, and Nico Gramatica added a 23-yard field goal to make it 38–3. Brown capped his night by running in a 5-yard score early in the fourth quarter. Backup quarterback Gaston Moore later found Christian Helms for a 3-yard touchdown to round out the onslaught.
Rice’s only points came on Enock Gota’s 44-yard field goal as time expired in the first half. The Owls (5–7, 2–6 AAC) mustered just 257 total yards while allowing 553 to a surging Bulls offense that controlled every phase of the game.
The victory cements South Florida’s return to the postseason, while Rice’s campaign comes to an end.
