South Florida scoop-and-score turns tide in 29-2 win over Kent State

Excluding independents, it was the only non-conference matchup of Week 7.

For such a unique matchup this late in the season, it was bound to produce a unique result: South Florida defeated Kent State, 29-2.

Kent State became the first FBS team to score exactly two points since UMass did in a 20-2 loss to Florida Atlantic on Nov. 20, 2020.

The Golden Flashes led 2-0 after the first quarter Saturday night in Tampa. Immediately after a turnover on downs at the South Florida 3-yard line, Kent State managed to salvage some points through its defense. True freshman defensive end Dion’Dre Taylor stuffed USF running back D.J. Crowther in the end zone to hand the Golden Flashes their first lead against a non-conference FBS opponent since Sept. 9, 2023, when they led Arkansas 3-0.

It appeared as if Kent State would build on that early advantage. After the safety, the Golden Flashes drove down to the USF 1-yard line. Kent State lined up in a tush push formation, attempting a quarterback sneak to extend the lead. However, an unclean center-quarterback change left the ball on the floor, and former 5-star defensive end recruit C.J. Hicks scooped it up and ran 99 yards for his first career touchdown.

Hicks’ momentum-swinging touchdown sparked a 29-0 run for the Bulls. Kent State remained within one score until the final minute of the third quarter, but the Golden Flashes continued their miscues. They failed all four fourth down attempts, missed a field goal, and gave up a safety in the final seconds of the contest.

Kent State sustained its struggles in the run game. The Flashes managed just 63 yards on 35 attempts, finishing their third-straight MAC game with fewer than 80 rushing yards. Meanwhile, they dropped to last place nationally in scoring after claiming just two points in Tampa. Kent State was outscored 145-5 by its three FBS non-conference opponents this season, failing to register a touchdown in all three contests.

However, there were brights spots for the Kent State defense which limited South Florida to 78 rushing yards on a 2.4 average and forced four sacks and eight tackles for loss. South Florida continued its first half offensive woes. After recording a defensive touchdown and field goal in a 10-point first half, the Bulls still have just three first half offensive touchdowns in six games against FBS opponents this season.

USF’s offense finally reached the end zone late in the third quarter when backup quarterback Luke Kromenhoek ran in a 1-yard score out of a goal line package. Then, starting quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. found Cameron Seldon on a 36-yard completion with 4:45 remaining in the game to seal the victory. Van Buren completed his seven-straight start for South Florida without throwing an interception, remaining mistake-free through 179 attempts this season.

Kent State (2-5, 1-2 MAC) concludes non-conference play with a 1-3 record. The Golden Flashes have now dropped 32 consecutive regular season non-conference matchups to FBS opponents — last winning such a game in 2014 against Army. The Golden Flashes now aim to channel their out-of-conference frustrations into MAC success, and they return home Oct. 24 for their Wagon Wheel rivalry matchup against Akron.

South Florida (5-2, 1-2 American) swept its non-conference slate in its first year under head coach Brian Hartline, doing so for the first time since 2018. The Bulls now prepare for their bye week before looking for an offensive resurgence Oct. 31 against UAB.