College Football
USF’s Fourth-Quarter Comeback Falls Short in 52–41 Loss to Memphis
USF overcame a 21-point deficit to take a fourth-quarter lead before Memphis regained control and secured the win at Raymond James Stadium
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — November 13, 2026 — The University of South Florida football team mounted an impressive second-half comeback but ultimately fell 52–41 to Memphis on Thursday night at Raymond James Stadium.
The Bulls struggled early, falling behind 21–0 in the first quarter, before finding momentum on both sides of the ball. Led by quarterback Luke Kromenhoek, USF rallied to overcome the deficit and briefly take the lead late in the fourth quarter.
Bulls Fight Back
Kromenhoek delivered a standout performance, totaling 416 yards of offense and four touchdowns, including 271 passing yards and 146 rushing yards. Running back Jason Collins Jr. added 108 rushing yards, including a 75-yard touchdown run.
South Florida running back Jason Collins Jr. (#2) races toward the end zone with Memphis defender D. Smith (#3) in pursuit during the Bulls’ matchup against the Tigers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on November 13, 2026. Collins broke free for a 75-yard touchdown run during USF’s 52–41 loss to Memphis.
Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
USF’s comeback reached its peak when Nico Gramatica connected on a 38-yard field goal, giving the Bulls their first lead at 41–38 with 8:04 remaining.
However, Memphis responded with a 76-yard touchdown pass from Marcus Stokes to Jemyri Davis, reclaiming the lead. A critical fourth-down incompletion near the Memphis goal line ended another promising USF scoring opportunity.
MMemphis player No. 6 carries the football toward the end zone during the Tigers’ matchup against South Florida at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on November 13, 2026. Memphis secured a 52–41 victory over the Bulls in the American Conference contest. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
Late Rally Not Enough
Despite overcoming a 21-point deficit, South Florida was unable to complete the comeback.
Following the loss, USF head coach Brian Hartline reflected on the team’s performance:
“We just did enough to not lose by a lot.”
— Brian Hartline, USF Head Coach, in postgame remarks reported by WUSF.
The loss drops South Florida to 6–4 overall and 2–4 in American Conference play, while Memphis improves to 8–2.
The Bulls will look to regroup as they continue their final stretch of the regular season.
Photos by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
Bulls overcome early deficit behind defensive touchdowns and a record-tying performance from C.J. Hicks.
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The University of South Florida (USF) secured its sixth victory of the season Saturday, October 31, defeating the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) 30–10 at Raymond James Stadium. The victory improved the Bulls’ record to 6–2 overall and 2–2 in American Conference play, making the program bowl-eligible for the fourth consecutive season.
Defense Turns the Game Around
UAB opened the game with a 10–0 first-quarter lead, but South Florida responded with 30 unanswered points, highlighted by two defensive touchdowns.
Defensive end C.J. Hicks delivered one of the game’s most significant performances, recording four sacks to tie the USF single-game record. Two of those sacks forced fumbles that resulted in touchdowns.
Late in the second quarter, Hicks forced a fumble by UAB quarterback Ryder Burton, allowing USF defender Asani Redwood to recover the football and return it six yards for a touchdown. The play gave South Florida a 17–10 halftime lead.
Asani Redwood and UAB #71 UAB defensive lineman #71 attempts to tackle USF’s Asani Redwood during the October 31, 2026, matchup at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
Hicks created another scoring opportunity in the fourth quarter, forcing a second fumble that linebacker Grayson Howard recovered and returned 13 yards for a touchdown, extending USF’s lead to 27–10.
South Florida’s defense finished with six sacks and 11 tackles for loss, limiting UAB to just 177 total offensive yards, including 17 rushing yards.
Offensive Adjustments Provide Momentum
Following an injury to starting quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr., sophomore Luke Kromenhoek entered the game and helped shift momentum in South Florida’s favor.
Luke Kromenhoek (#17) USF quarterback Luke Kromenhoek (#17) carries the football while facing pressure from a UAB defender during the Bulls’ 30–10 victory at Raymond James Stadium on October 31, 2026. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
Kromenhoek finished with a career-high 92 rushing yards, including a 42-yard run that helped establish the Bulls’ offensive rhythm.
Running back Jason Collins Jr. added a six-yard rushing touchdown late in the second quarter to tie the game at 10–10.
Kicker Nico Gramatica contributed three field goals, connecting from 31, 30 and 33 yards to help secure the victory.
Bowl Eligibility Marks Another Program Milestone
With its sixth win, South Florida secured bowl eligibility for the fourth consecutive season, matching the second-longest such streak in program history.
The accomplishment allows USF to qualify for postseason bowl consideration, although an official bowl invitation and destination have yet to be determined.
The victory also kept the Bulls competitive in the American Conference standings, with four regular-season games remaining following the UAB matchup.
Looking Ahead
USF will return to conference competition Friday, November 6, traveling to face East Carolina as the Bulls continue their pursuit of a stronger conference finish and a postseason bowl invitation.
Final Score: USF 30, UAB 10
– 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
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