The South Florida Bulls stampede over the Syracuse Orange to give the American Athletic Conference its first win over a Power 5 school in the Boca Raton Bowl. South Florida scored four touchdowns on offense and two more on defense as they stampeded to the 45-0 win. The American is now 2-0 in bowl play while the ACC opens up bowl season with an embarrassing loss.
Boca Raton Bulls
South Florida became the latest team to take advantage of the shorter travel distance during the bowl season. Much like UTSA’s win in Frisco, Texas, South Florida rumbled to Boca Raton to stomp on the team from Western New York.
South Florida quarterbacks combined for 246 yards passing. Byrum Brown led the way, completing 19 of 26 passes for 214 yards and three touchdowns. Sean Atkins caught two of the touchdown passes, while also completing a pass of his own for 21 yards. Khafre Brown also caught a touchdown pass from Byrum Brown.
The Bulls also moved the ball well on the ground. Nine South Florida players rushed the ball 44 times for 161 yards, with Nay’Quan Wright finding the end zone for the only rushing touchdown on the day. It was complete dominance by the South Florida offense in the Boca Raton Bowl.
Defensive Dominance
While the Bulls offense was rolling, their defense was stopping Syracuse from ever finding a rhythm. South Florida recorded two sacks and two interceptions while forcing ten Syracuse punts and keeping the Orange out of the end zone. South Florida ended the season with a winning record (7-6) while Syracuse finished the season below .500 (6-7).
Syracuse may see some offensive help in 2024. After leading Ohio St. to an 11-1 season, Kyle McCord announced he is transferring to Syracuse next season.
Conference Bowl Records (Must Field 3 Teams Through Entire Bowl Season)
- American (2-0)
- Big 12 (1-0)
- C-USA (2-1)
- MAC (1-1)
- Mountain West (1-1)
- Pac-12 (1-1)
- Sunbelt (1-4)
- ACC (0-1)
- Big 10 (0-0)
- Independents (0-0)
- SEC (0-0)
Next Bowl Matchup
The bowl return Friday night with a matchup between Power 5 schools. Georgia Tech, representing the ACC, will take on Central Florida, who will be representing the Big 12 for the first time. The two schools will meet in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa.
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