Tampa, FL. — South Florida turned a defensive showcase into a convincing comeback Saturday, scoring 30 unanswered points to defeat UAB 30-10 and secure bowl eligibility for the fourth consecutive season.
The Bulls received an outstanding performance from their defensive front, led by CJ Hicks, who recorded four sacks. Two of those sacks resulted in fumbles that Asani Redwood and Grayson Howard recovered and returned for touchdowns.
South Florida initially found itself in a 10-0 hole after UAB scored twice in the first quarter. Rather than allowing the early deficit to dictate the game, the Bulls responded with a strong second-quarter performance and took control for the remainder of the night.
Jason Collins Jr. helped spark the comeback with a six-yard touchdown run that brought South Florida within three points. The defense followed with another game-changing play when Redwood scooped up a fumble and returned it six yards for a touchdown, giving the Bulls a 17-10 halftime advantage.
The defensive pressure continued after the break. Howard recovered another UAB fumble created by Hicks and raced 13 yards into the end zone, extending South Florida’s lead.
Kicker Nico Gramatica provided additional insurance, connecting on field goals from 30 and 33 yards. He finished with three field goals overall as the Bulls completed their 30-point scoring run.
South Florida’s offense relied heavily on its ground game. Quarterback Luke Kromenhoek led the team with 92 rushing yards, while he and Michael Van Buren Jr. combined to complete eight of 12 passes for just 46 yards.
Despite the limited passing production, the Bulls generated enough offense to complement their dominant defensive effort. South Florida finished with 237 total yards while holding UAB to 177.
The Blazers opened the scoring with a five-yard touchdown run by Rod Robinson II before Jonah Delange added a 30-yard field goal. However, UAB could not generate another scoring drive after its early advantage.
Quarterback Ryder Burton threw for 149 yards, but the Blazers struggled to handle South Florida’s defensive pressure and could not find a way back into the game.
South Florida improved to 6-2 overall and 2-2 in the American Conference, officially reaching bowl eligibility for the fourth straight year. UAB dropped to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in conference play.
What’s Next:
South Florida travels to face East Carolina on Friday as the Bulls look to build on their momentum.
UAB returns home next Saturday to take on Charlotte.
