USF Soccer Opens American Conference Play in Primetime Residence Sport Friday

South Florida (3-1; 0-0 American) vs Charlotte (1-3; 0-1 American)

Friday, October 3 • 7 PM • Raymond James Stadium (65,000) • Tampa, Fla.

SURFACE: Natural, Bermuda Turf Grass

TV: ESPN2: Courtney Lyle  (P-by-P), Rene Ingoglia (Analyst) & Marilyn Payne (Sideline)

RADIO: Q105 FM/Bulls Unlimited Digital Radio

SERIES: USF leads 2-0

IN TAMPA: USF leads 1-0

IN CHARLOTTE: USF leads 1-0

LAST TIME: USF 59, CLT 24, in Charlotte, 11/16/2025

VS AMERICAN: 38-58, gained 4 of final 6

AMERICAN OPENERS: 6-6, misplaced final at Tulane (45-10)

WEEKNIGHT GAMES: 23-34, gained final vs. Boise State

FRIDAY GAMES: 12-19, W final at FAU (44-21) in 2024.

SOUTH FLORIDA GAME NOTES

After a profitable four-game run, then a productive off-week, the USF Bulls (3-1) are getting ready for his or her “second season” Friday night when the Charlotte 49ers (1-3, 0-1) visit Raymond James Stadium for USF’s American Conference opener.

The Bulls, who defeated nationally ranked Boise State and Florida, are coming off a resounding 63-14, feel-good victory against South Carolina State. But now begins the full sprint toward an American title and the competition looks especially fierce.

“Our convention has performed a terrific job investing in its packages, hiring some actually good coaches and elevating the general stage of soccer within the league,” head coach Alex Golesh stated. “The message was that mediocrity would not be tolerated and all of the programs have really stepped up. You want your league to be considered as one of the best in the country.”

The American, which went 6-2 in bowl video games final 12 months, has gone 30-16 (.652) in non-conference motion, has 10 groups at .500 or higher by Week 5, and has wins over the SEC (2), ACC, Big 12 (2) and Big Ten.

“I obviously see the scores every week, so you’re excited about some of the things this league has done,” Golesh stated. “I haven’t watched everybody. There’s not enough time and I’m so locked in on us. I think there’s some veteran quarterbacks in this league that have done a really good job. And there are some really good coaches in this league. I mean, we’re playing one of them.”

Charlotte coach Tim Albin was affiliated with Ohio University, mostly as the offensive coordinator, for 20 seasons while serving as head coach from 2021-24. Golesh was a graduate assistant at Northern Illinois (2006-07) in the Mid-American Conference when he first met Albin, who is seeking to rebuild a 49ers’ program that has hit some hard times.

The Bulls are 2-0 against the 49ers in American play with an average victory margin of 34.5 points. Last season, USF prevailed 59-24 on the road while rushing for a program-record 425 yards.

“Charlotte has plenty of guys who’re new to this system and a brand-new employees,” Golesh stated. “Coach Albin built a great culture at Ohio. When you watch the (Charlotte) film, you see a bunch of guys playing really, really hard on both sides of the ball that are trying to truly find an identity.

“There are so many new faces from what we noticed the final two years. But you’ll be able to see there is a tradition being constructed of toughness and grit. They do not shoot themselves within the foot in all three phases. Defensively, they’ve a sound system that is going to make you earn all the things you get.”

Golesh stated he and the USF gamers are particularly enthusiastic about enjoying below the lights on Friday, when an ESPN2 telecast will carry Bulls soccer to the nation — and particularly to the peer gamers and coaches across the nation who’re settling into their resort rooms whereas getting ready for Saturday video games. 

“Not that it changes what you do or how you do it, but certainly our guys are aware that a lot of people are watching,” Golesh said. “I believe Ray-Jay Friday evening below the lights shall be unimaginable. We have the chance to indicate our id to the entire nation. I do not know in case you want additional motivation, however that definitely does not damage.”

The nation will see a USF protection that has pressured seven turnovers in 4 video games after ending within the prime 15 for that class in each of Golesh’s seasons. Meanwhile, quarterback Byrum Brown, who turned 21 on Monday, is off to a formidable begin by finishing 62.9 % of his passes for 983 yards and 6 touchdowns. Wide receiver Chas Nimrod, a Tennessee switch, has been the big-play man with a 26.2-yard common and he is in search of to tie this system file along with his third consecutive 100-yard receiving recreation. 

“Every time we step out on the football field, it’s an opportunity to show who we are individually and as a team,” Golesh said. “You have to repeatedly hammer it residence. There are sure components of our recreation the place I’d inform you, ‘That does not look the way in which it ought to.’ But from a standpoint of physicality, depth and psychological and bodily toughness, we’re approach nearer than we have ever been.

“The id (USF desires) is everyone within the nation to speak about our program and say, ‘Man, these dudes, they had been mentally and bodily powerful, they’re detailed and they’re so elite within the situational soccer a part of the sport. I’m happy with the complimentary soccer that we proceed to play and the resiliency that we have now proven. I believe we’re nearer (to the perfect customary) than we have ever been.”

Last season, the Bulls started 0-2 in American play with losses in opposition to Tulane and Memphis (in a recreation moved to Orlando by a hurricane). Linebacker Jhalyn Shuler stated the Bulls are intent on a greater convention starting.

“The first game just sets the tone for the rest of the games,” Shuler said. “You get a superb win and deal with what you are promoting, that places you in a superb (mindset) and allows you to roll on to the following one.”

–#GoBulls–