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TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ home opener ended in disappointment Sunday as the Cleveland Browns handed Tampa Bay a 23-19 loss, dropping the Buccaneers to 0-2 to start the season.
The Buccaneers had opportunities to take control but were hurt by penalties, missed tackles and an inability to consistently finish drives in the end zone. A weather delay late in the game added another challenge, but Tampa Bay players and coaches refused to use the conditions as an excuse.
Bowles: ‘Nobody Is Coming to Save Us’
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles pointed directly to Tampa Bay’s mistakes after the loss.
“Too many penalties, offensively. Too many missed tackles in the second half, defensively,” Bowles said. “Nobody is coming to save us. We have to fix ourselves and we have to fix it in a hurry.”
Bowles repeated that message when discussing the team’s 0-2 start, saying the Buccaneers have faced adversity before but now must respond quickly.
“We’ve dealt with adversity before. This is an adverse situation again,” Bowles said. “We’re 0-2 right now and we have to pull ourselves up by our boots, and we’ve got to win.”
Defensively, Bowles said missed tackles contributed to Cleveland’s success, including a touchdown by Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston after two Tampa Bay defenders collided and failed to make the tackle.
Mayfield Frustrated by Missed Opportunities
Quarterback Baker Mayfield said Tampa Bay’s inability to convert opportunities in the red zone proved costly. The Buccaneers settled for field goals instead of touchdowns and struggled with negative plays.
Mayfield said the frustration comes from knowing how close the offense is to producing better results.
“I’m frustrated because it’s close. You can feel it. You can see it,” Mayfield said. “We’re moving the ball at times, and then just shooting ourselves in the foot.”
He added that the Buccaneers must become more self-critical and stop repeating the same mistakes.
Asked how surprised he was to see Tampa Bay begin the season with consecutive losses, Mayfield did not hide his reaction.
“Pretty shocked,” Mayfield said. “But, that’s where we’re at, so [we have to] fight our way out.”
Late Weather Delay Adds to Dramatic Finish
The game was also disrupted by a late weather delay. Bowles said both teams faced the same circumstances and rejected the delay as an excuse for Tampa Bay’s performance.
“They were doing the same thing. That’s not an excuse,” Bowles said. “We were ready to play.”
Left tackle Tristan Wirfs was more critical of the timing. He said players worked to stay loose, warm and hydrated during the interruption.
“I thought it was ridiculous with two minutes left in the game to call a lightning delay from ten miles away,” Wirfs said. “But, I don’t make the rules.”
Buccaneers Say They Beat Themselves
Wide receiver Ted Hurst III said Cleveland did not do anything defensively that made Tampa Bay incapable of moving the football.
“I feel like nobody can stop our offense — it’s just self-evaluating, doing your job and doing it to the best of your ability,” Hurst said.
Asked directly whether it felt like the Buccaneers beat themselves, Hurst responded, “Yeah, I would say that.”
Linebacker Alex Anzalone offered a similarly direct assessment of the Buccaneers’ position after two games.
“We’re in a bit of a hole. We’ve gotta dig ourselves out of it,” Anzalone said. He said the process begins with Wednesday’s practice and correcting the mistakes that have contributed to Tampa Bay’s winless start.
Irving: ‘We Are Going to Get This Thing Fixed’
Running back Bucky Irving urged the Buccaneers to follow the NFL’s traditional 24-hour approach — evaluate the loss, learn from it and move forward.
Irving said he is not concerned about outside criticism and views the early struggles as adversity the team can learn from.
“Let’s just learn from this game and move on to the [Minnesota] Vikings,” Irving said. “We are going to get this thing fixed in no time.”
The Buccaneers now face an early-season test: correct the penalties, improve tackling, finish drives with touchdowns and find a way out of an 0-2 hole.
D.J. Crowther scores three rushing touchdowns as South Florida turns a four-point first-half game into a convincing home victory.
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — South Florida improved to 3-0 Saturday night with a 59-17 victory over Delaware State at Raymond James Stadium, but the final score did not tell the story of the first half.
Delaware State stayed within striking distance and cut USF’s lead to 21-17 late in the second quarter before the Bulls scored 38 unanswered points to put the game away.
Delaware State made USF work early. The Bulls created separation when the game moved into the second half.
Delaware State Keeps It Close Early
USF struck first, but Delaware State quarterback Ui Ale answered with a 90-yard touchdown pass to Nathan Stewart to tie the game at 7.
The Hornets continued to respond and pulled within four when Ale connected with Jaylin Terzado for a touchdown with 1:18 remaining before halftime.
South Florida answered before the break, with Luke Kromenhoek scoring from one yard out as time expired to send USF into halftime leading 28-17.
Luke Kromenhoek (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring on a one-yard touchdown run as time expired in the first half against Delaware State. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
What looked like a potential four-point halftime game quickly became an 11-point cushion for South Florida.
Crowther Sparks Second-Half Separation
D.J. Crowther led USF’s ground attack, finishing with 101 yards on eight carries and three touchdowns.
His 39-yard touchdown early in the third quarter helped open the game up as the Bulls held Delaware State scoreless throughout the second half.
USF running back D.J. Crowther (5) carries the ball into end zone for a bulls touch down. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News.
Michael Van Buren Jr. completed 23 of 32 passes for 300 yards and a touchdown, while Joshua Porter led USF with eight catches for 106 yards.
The Bulls finished with 611 total yards, including 290 on the ground.
Michael Van Buren Jr. (3) surveys the field from the pocket as offensive linemen Ethan Green (79) and Caleb Cook (78) work in protection against Delaware State. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News.
After surviving Delaware State’s early push, USF leaned on its depth and rushing attack to take control.
Bulls Move to 3-0
The win gives South Florida its first 3-0 start since 2018 under first-year head coach Brian Hartline.
Delaware State fell to 2-2 despite Ale throwing for 249 yards and two touchdowns without an interception.
For USF, the win followed a dramatic comeback victory over Army one week earlier — this time with far less late-game drama.
Up Next
USF travels to Bowling Green on Sept. 26, while Delaware State returns home to face Towson.
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
Central Florida News
ANNIKA Media Day Brings Melanie Green Back to Tampa Bay Ahead of Tournament Debut
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — ANNIKA Media Day brought golf to Tropicana Field Thursday as former USF standout Melanie Green helped preview The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican ahead of its November return.
Green, the 2025 Epson Tour Player of the Year and Gaëlle Truet Rookie of the Year, spent the day meeting with media, connecting with fans and throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the Tampa Bay Rays game.
Green Reflects on USF Roots
Florida National News’ Todd Grasley asked Green what it means to now compete in an LPGA event essentially in her own backyard after spending four years at USF and making Florida home.
“Being a Florida resident now, I’m like, okay, this is awesome,” Green said. “So, you know, it’s exciting.”
The setting carries a different meaning for Green now. She has gone from competing collegiately at USF to the Epson Tour, where her breakout 2025 season earned her Player of the Year honors and a tour card.
Photo: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News / FNN Sports
From Epson Tour to the LPGA
Grasley asked Green about that climb — from USF to Epson Tour Player of the Year and now competing against some of the best players in the world while realizing a childhood dream.
Green reflected on the role her faith and support system played in that journey, saying much of what has happened was bigger than anything she could have created on her own.
When asked if there was an “aha” moment when being an LPGA player finally felt real, Green admitted the transition still requires reminders.
“I feel like I have to continually just keep reminding myself,”
She later put the adjustment into perspective.
“Once you get past the ‘whoa’ of the LPGA, then you can kind of feel like … your feet just aren’t getting wet, you’re actually in the water.”
Attendees gather during ANNIKA Media Day at Tropicana Field as preparations continue for The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican this November. Photo: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News / FNN Sports
USF Foundation Still Matters
Green also reflected on how her time at USF helped prepare her for life beyond college golf.
“I would say my coaches were phenomenal for me,” Green said.
Rather than focusing solely on the mechanics of her swing, Green said her coaches helped her navigate the larger demands surrounding competition, including tournament preparation and time management.
Green Looks Ahead to The ANNIKA
The conversation also turned to Annika Sörenstam, whose career Green followed before getting the opportunity to compete professionally in the tournament bearing her name.
Grasley asked what Sörenstam has meant to Green as a player she looked up to and what it means to now participate in her event as a professional.
“She holds just about, seems like, every record.”
Green describes Sörenstam as someone players continue to look up to and aspire toward.
The ANNIKA Returns in November
The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican returns to Pelican Golf Club in Belleair Nov. 11-15, with tournament play beginning Nov. 12.
Green is among the early commitments for the 2026 field. For Green, the week will bring another milestone in a season already filled with firsts — this time competing near the place where a major part of her golf journey began.
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Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
