USF football turned a tight first half into a runaway victory Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium, defeating Delaware State 59-17 behind a season-high 611 yards of offense and seven rushing touchdowns.
The Bulls improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2018. The start marks only the 10th 3-0 opening in program history. USF also extended its home winning streak to nine games, the second-longest home streak in program history.
A crowd of 32,345 watched South Florida pull away with 38 unanswered points after Delaware State cut the margin to 21-17 late in the first half.
Head coach Brian Hartline has opened his tenure with a 3-0 record. Only Charlie Strong produced a better start in program history when the Bulls began the 2017 season 7-0.
Bulls offense reaches another level
South Florida’s 611 yards tied for the 11th-highest single-game total in program history. The Bulls had not reached that level since posting 715 yards against Tulsa in 2024.
USF scored 59 points, committed only two penalties and avoided turnovers. The Bulls have not turned the ball over in any of their first three games.
The rushing attack delivered the biggest numbers. South Florida scored seven touchdowns on the ground, matching the second-highest total in program history. The only game with more came in the Bulls’ first game, when the program scored eight rushing touchdowns.
D.J. Crowther led the surge. The running back carried eight times for 101 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 40 yards and finished with 141 all-purpose yards.
Crowther became the first Bull to rush for three touchdowns in one game since Jaren Mangham scored three times against Florida A&M in 2021.
Michael Van Buren directs the attack
Quarterback Michael Van Buren completed 23 of 32 passes for 300 yards and a touchdown. He completed 70 percent of his throws while helping USF maintain its no-huddle tempo throughout the night.
Wide receiver Joshua Porters delivered a career night with eight catches for 106 yards and a touchdown. Bryson Rodgers added career highs with seven receptions for 86 yards.
The Bulls struck quickly after receiving the opening kickoff. Crowther capped a four-play, 72-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown run just 73 seconds into the game.
Delaware State answered with a 90-yard touchdown pass from Ui Ale to Nathan Stewart, but USF responded almost immediately. Crowther broke free for a 38-yard touchdown run to put the Bulls ahead 14-7.
Luke Kromenhoek delivers before halftime
USF created a key first-half turnover when Marshon Oxley recorded a sack and forced a fumble. Ryan Jenkins recovered at the Delaware State 41-yard line.
The Bulls then used 6-foot-4, 220-pound quarterback Luke Kromenhoek near the goal line. Kromenhoek ran for a touchdown to give USF a 21-7 lead.
Delaware State stayed in the game with a field goal and a 20-yard touchdown pass from Ale to Jaylin Terzado. The Hornets pulled within 21-17 with 1:18 left before halftime.
Van Buren responded with a late drive that featured a 17-yard completion to Rodgers and a 29-yard Crowther run. Kromenhoek scored again from one yard out with three seconds remaining, giving the Bulls a 28-17 halftime lead.
USF takes control after halftime
The Bulls erased any doubt in the third quarter.
Crowther opened the second-half scoring with a 39-yard touchdown run, his third score of the night. Jason Collins Jr. followed with a 5-yard touchdown run as USF built a 42-17 lead.
The defense held Delaware State scoreless in the second half. Sam Robinson, Zavier Hamilton and Ayden Jackson each posted six tackles to lead the Bulls.
USF has now won 18 of its last 24 games since the midpoint of the 2024 season. The Bulls will now turn their attention to their second road game of the season.
Up next: USF at Bowling Green
South Florida travels to Bowling Green next Saturday for a 5 p.m. kickoff on ESPN+. Bowling Green enters the game at 0-3 after a 55-7 loss at Iowa State.
The game will mark the second meeting between USF and Bowling Green. The Bulls won the first matchup 29-7 in Tampa in 2002.
USF enters the road test with momentum, offensive balance and a growing belief that this 3-0 start can become much more than an early-season headline.
