USF vs. Memphis 2025 Recap: Bulls Collapse in 34-31 Loss to Tigers

For the majority of this game, it looked like USF was going to keep rolling through the American Conference. However, USF lost hold of the rope in the fourth quarter, resulting in a 34-31 loss to the Memphis Tigers. It is a crushing blow to the Bulls’ at-large College Football Playoff chances, while also making an appearance in the American Conference Championship a much more difficult proposition.

USF’s season is not over, but they made things much more difficult on themselves for the remainder of 2025. Without further ado, let us dive into the game recap.

USF Bulls vs. Memphis Tigers 2025 Game Recap

Fourth Quarter Decisions Doom the Bulls

When looking back on this game, the differences for USF is, without a shadow of a doubt, the fourth quarter and coaching decisions.

Starting with a fourth-down decision, it makes sense why the Bulls were aggressive in this situation. Leading 24-17, a touchdown would have put USF up 14 points nearing the fourth quarter. It was a bold decision that could have paid off, but after the play did not result in a first down or touchdown, it gave Memphis an opportunity to tie the game. Was this the backbreaker for the Bulls? No, not in the slightest. However, there is an argument to be made that this was one of the more major swings in the game.

However, the bigger problem for the Bulls was the fourth quarter as a whole.

On offense, the unit found it very difficult to move the ball against the Memphis defense. The run game was stifled on early downs, as the Tigers were selling out to fly downhill to stop them. USF also started hunting big plays on early downs, as USF quarterback Byrum Brown looked to go for the kill shot on early downs. This combination, along with some great plays from the likes of Chris Bracy and Kamari Wilson in the secondary, opened the door for Memphis.

Defensively, USF could not stop Memphis quarterback Brendon Lewis. The Bulls lost contain on the quarterback on countless occasions, allowing him to break off chunk gains as a runner. The blitzes also stopped getting home for the Bulls, allowing the quarterback to exploit the USF defense even when under pressure.

In coverage, the Bulls seemed to slip regarding their assignments, which created some chunk plays. Wideouts for the Tigers split safeties, found space along the sidelines, and had a much earlier time compared to the previous three quarters. It truly felt like the Bulls ran out of gas on defense, and when combined with the offensive struggles, it created a path for the Bulls to lose the game.

After a loss like this, there is always room to improve. I asked HC Alex Golesh about what is the biggest thing he is taking from the Memphis game.

“Just how small the margins are when you are playing really good football teams. They are absolutely tiny. And when you are playing really good football teams at this point of the year, you have to be on it at an elite level. By on it, I mean detailed down-to-down. The situational football matters, the special teams matter, every little detail matter. We came up short, so we have to figure out how and where. As coaches, we have to do a really good job of figuring out where we jacked up the details and where in the margins we lost. And we will when we watch the film, the staff is elite.

We will get to the bottom of what our issues are, we will adjust, and we will grow. The only thing that is going to matter is taking care of ourselves and getting ready for UTSA.”

The season is not over for USF in the slightest. This is the type of game that can break a season, but it can also power a team to finish even better than they expected. Going forward, Golesh and the Bulls will be able to decide their path, and it will be very interesting to see how it plays out.

Offense Powered by Brown Again

For a large swath of this game, the USF offense was finding some significant success in a variety of ways. And, as usual, that success flowed through starting quarterback Byrum Brown.

After a first-quarter interception, Brown was very effective through the air. He notched 269 yards and a touchdown, completing 60-percent of his passes in the process. The quarterback consistently got through his reads, extended plays outside of the pocket, and made some impressive throws.

On the ground, Brown was incredible once again.

The USF quarterback rumbled for 121 yards and two touchdowns, including a SportsCenter-worthy 44-yard touchdown. Brown ran with power, speed, and conviction. He kept multiple drives rolling with his legs, putting Memphis in a bind and allowing the Bulls to move the ball down the field. Combined with his passing, Brown’s running showed that he is one of the most dynamic players in the country, regardless of position.

Outside of Brown, the Bulls had multiple impressive offensive contributors. Sam Franklin and Nykahi Davenport both had huge chunk runs, with Davenport setting up a touchdown and Franklin finishing his run with a score.

At pass-catcher, Keshaun Singleton rebounded from an early drop to produce 88 yards on seven receptions. He constantly created separation, showed nice YAC ability, and kept drives moving for the Bulls. He was especially critical on the drive that could have tied the game in the late stages of the fourth quarter, notching three receptions.

Christian Neptune, Mudia Reuben, and Jeremiah Koger were also effective. Neptune gained yards on a variety of touches, displayed nice route running and nice hands in the process. Rueben showed impressive strength as a player to go with solid hands once again. Koger flashed a little bit of everything; catching a touchdown in his fourth straight game, he is becoming a reliable target and star for USF.

One bad quarter does not eliminate the great that the offense did on Saturday. USF has one of the better offenses in the American Conference, and they have constantly improved over the course of this season. With a bye week ahead of their matchup with UTSA, I am pretty confident that the Bulls will be running again in their next game.

Defense Starts Strong, But Does Not Finish

Just like the offense, the USF defense had a pretty solid overall day before the breakdown in the fourth quarter.

Linebackers Mac Harris and Jhalyn Shuler led the charge in their own ways against Memphis. Harris had 11 tackles, five defensive stops, and three pressures as a pass rusher. He was swarming all game, causing havoc in the backfield of the Tigers and limiting their offense for the majority of the game. Shuler only had three total tackles, but he had three pass breakups and provided lockdown coverage.

Defensive linemen Traevon Mitchell, Rico Watson III, and Dennard Flowers had some solid pass-rushing reps and were solid against the run. Defensive backs Tavin Ward and Jarvis Lee Jr. flew all around the field on the backend for the Bulls. Lee had a sack and 3.5 tackles for loss, while Ward was key in the Bulls’ coverage operation. Jonas Duclona and De’Shawn Rucker were also very solid in coverage. This performance caused Memphis to only score 17 points through three quarters.

In all facets, it was a great job from the Bulls’ defense. But once the fourth quarter hit, it was like a switch flipped. The pass rushes did not get home, tackling and communication got worse, and coverage suffered lapses. In only one quarter, a very solid performance turned into one worthy of a loss.

Harris spoke about this after the game, evaluating the performance of the defense on Saturday.

“I think the first half we executed fairly well. But the biggest room in the world is the room for improvement. We did not give them any doubt that they could come back and win. As a defense, we have to suffocate people and have doubt that they cannot sneak back into the game.”

The standout linebacker summed up the defense against Memphis in a better way than anyone else could.

Quote of the Day

“I have never been at a place where a player gets booed when they get hurt. Jacob (Merrfield) went down. The stuff going on that sideline, it is what it is. You are on the road, I get it. I have never seen a kid get booed, but it is what it is. I love the culture of our program.”- HC Alex Golesh when asked about his reaction after Jacob Merrifield was booed after getting injured.

2026 NFL Draft: Stock Risers

WR Cortez Braham Jr., Memphis: The veteran wideout knows how to get open, makes awesome contested catches, and is just a great overall player. Braham runs his routes with smoothness, yet also has the overall ability to get open at a high level.

QB Byrum Brown, USF: The rushing ability speaks for itself. Brown is one of the most dynamic players in all of college football. And, he’s improving as a passer. Brown is getting through reads, making quicker decisions, and has shown better accuracy and mechanics. Things are not perfect, but with more progress, Brown will be firmly on NFL radars.

What’s Next for USF?

USF heads into a bye week before welcoming UTSA to Raymond James Stadium on November 6.