Central Florida News
USF Rallies Past Army 28-24 as Brian Hartline’s Fourth-Down Gamble Pays Off
Van Buren accounts for all four USF touchdowns as Joshua Porter’s 38-yard fourth-down catch completes a dramatic comeback at West Point.
WEST POINT, N.Y. (FNN SPORTS) — South Florida coach Brian Hartline put the game in his offense’s hands Saturday — and the gamble paid off.
USF erased a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit and stunned Army 28-24 at Michie Stadium, capped by Michael Van Buren Jr.’s 38-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Porter on fourth-and-6 with 19 seconds remaining.
The dramatic road victory moved the Bulls to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in American Conference play, giving Hartline his first conference victory and first road win as USF’s head coach.
Van Buren Powers Fourth-Quarter Comeback
Trailing 24-14 with less than five minutes remaining, USF needed two touchdowns — and Van Buren delivered.
The quarterback led a 75-yard scoring drive and broke free for a 24-yard touchdown run, cutting Army’s lead to 24-21 with 3:13 remaining.
USF attempted an onside kick, but Army recovered. The Bulls’ defense responded by forcing the Black Knights to punt, giving Van Buren and the offense one final opportunity.
Starting at its own 19-yard line with 1:46 remaining, South Florida drove into Army territory and reached the Black Knights’ 38.
Then came Hartline’s defining decision.
FILE – USF head football coach Brian Hartline watches the action during the Bulls’ 2026 Spring Game at Corbett Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The game marked the conclusion of Hartline’s first spring leading South Florida. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
Hartline Rolls the Dice on Fourth Down
Facing fourth-and-6 from the Army 38, USF was within the outer limits of kicker Nico Gramatica’s range for a potential 55-yard game-tying field goal.
Hartline initially kept the offense on the field and used USF’s final timeout with 25 seconds remaining.
After the timeout, the Bulls still did not send out the field-goal unit.
Hartline went for the win.
Van Buren took the snap and found Porter streaking down the right sideline for a 38-yard touchdown, putting USF ahead 28-24 with 19 seconds remaining.
Army got one final possession, but the Black Knights’ attempt to keep the play alive ended with a fumble recovered by USF’s Herlin Perry Jr., sealing the comeback.
Van Buren Accounts for All Four USF Touchdowns
Van Buren finished 19-of-30 passing for 239 yards and two touchdowns while adding a team-high 45 rushing yards and two more scores on five carries.
He accounted for all four USF touchdowns and produced 284 yards of total offense without committing a turnover.
Porter emerged as the late-game target USF needed, including the decisive fourth-down touchdown reception.
Bulls Show a Different Way to Win
USF opened Hartline’s first season with a 19-9 victory over FIU, a game in which kicker Nico Gramatica connected on four field goals.
One week later, the Bulls showed they could win differently.
Army controlled possession for much of Saturday’s game and outrushed USF 219-130, but South Florida scored 14 unanswered points over the final 4:59 to turn a 24-14 deficit into a four-point victory.
The Bulls are now 2-0 for the second consecutive season, but this start carries added significance under a new coaching staff. Hartline already has his first road victory, his first American Conference win and an early signature moment as USF’s head coach.
When faced with the choice of attempting a long field goal to tie the game or trusting his offense to win it, Hartline chose the latter.
Van Buren and Porter rewarded that decision with the biggest play of USF’s young season.
Up Next
USF returns home to face Delaware State on Saturday at Raymond James Stadium.
______________________________________
– 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
New team will debut at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027 as fans help shape the franchise’s identity
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — UPSHOT League officially announced the arrival of professional women’s basketball in Tampa Bay, with the new franchise scheduled to begin play at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027.
UPSHOT Tampa branding unveiled as the league prepares for its inaugural 2027 season in Tampa Bay. Image courtesy of UPSHOT Tampa.
Owner Morgan Busby introduced the vision behind bringing elite women’s basketball to the region, while Garland Cooper was announced as team president. UPSHOT Deputy Commissioner Taj McWilliams-Franklin also joined the launch alongside local leaders as the organization emphasized community involvement, fan experience and competitive excellence as core parts of the franchise.
FAN INVOLVEMENT: The Tampa franchise does not yet have an official team name. Fans are being invited to submit ideas and take part in helping shape the team’s identity ahead of its inaugural season. Season-ticket deposits and founding membership opportunities are also available.
UPSHOT Tampa President Garland Cooper speaks with media following the announcement of Tampa Bay’s new professional women’s basketball franchise. Photo courtesy of UPSHOT Tampa.
Community outreach began immediately with a “Shoe a Day” initiative supporting young athletes in the Tampa Bay area. During media availability, Cooper also spoke about the importance of giving young girls an opportunity to see what is possible through professional women’s sports.
Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise and Advisory Board Chair Kathleen Shanahan were among the community leaders in attendance, highlighting the potential economic and social impact of adding another professional sports organization to the region.
INAUGURAL SEASON: UPSHOT Tampa is scheduled to tip off at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027, adding professional women’s basketball to an established Tampa Bay sports market that already includes the Buccaneers, Lightning and Rays.
The team name, branding and additional franchise details are expected to be announced as the organization continues building toward its first season.
– 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
Bulls move to 4-1 as Hartline turns attention toward corrections and the week ahead
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — South Florida’s unbeaten start ended Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium as Temple defeated the Bulls 17-13. USF struck first behind a Nico Gramatica field goal but went into halftime trailing 10-3 before finding momentum after the break.
USF responded in the third quarter as D.J. Crowther’s one-yard touchdown tied the game at 10.
USF and Temple battle at the line of scrimmage. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
The Bulls’ defense added a key stop when No. 1 C.J. Hicks recovered a Temple fumble in the end zone. Gramatica later connected from 49 yards to give USF a 13-10 fourth-quarter lead. Temple answered with the defining possession of the night, driving 96 yards before quarterback No. 13 Ajani Sheppard scored on a 34-yard run to put the Owls ahead for good.
Temple’s 96-yard fourth-quarter drive became the turning point in the 17-13 finish.
Joshua Porter sprints for catch with Adrian Laing closing in for Temple. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
USF was unable to answer late, dropping to 4-1. Following the game, head coach Brian Hartline focused on returning to the film, correcting the mistakes that surfaced and making sure the Bulls use the loss to improve heading into the next week.
FINAL: Temple 17, USF 13
Up Next: USF travels to San Antonio to face UTSA on Thursday night.
– 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
Orange County Announces $28,200 Public Art Opportunity at Tangelo Park Community Center
Florida3 days agoFNN Perspective: Black Leaders Back Byron Donalds for Governor. Will More Black and Hispanic Leaders Follow?
Basketball2 days agoUPSHOT Announces Professional Women’s Basketball Franchise for Tampa Bay
Florida14 hours agoFNN PERSPECTIVE | Byron Donalds Visits ONYX Gala in Orlando: Could Orange County Help Him Win Florida’s Governor’s Race?
World10 hours agoUN Chief Guterres Praises Pakistan’s Peacekeeping, Calls for Climate Funding
Central Florida News5 days agoTemple Hands USF First Loss, 17-13
