After an exhilarating first three weeks of the 2025 regular season, the South Florida Bulls will return to their home field this Saturday to face the South Carolina State Bulldogs. USF made history in their matchups against the Boise State Broncos and the Florida Gators, and while their trip to Miami this past week didn’t go quite as well as they had hoped, the motivation is still there as the team yearns for a much-needed reset. Now entering Week 4, it’s a USF vs. SC State matchup – let’s dive into the 2025 preview.
USF Bulls vs. SC State Bulldogs: History and Excerpts
This Saturday’s game will mark only the second meeting between these teams. The first was in Tampa during the 2019 season, when USF came out on top with a dominating 55-16 victory.
While this matchup may be one that many are overlooking, South Carolina State is a very talented football team. Although they fell to the South Carolina Gamecocks in Week 2, they competed very well, not letting them past the 50 until the final two-minute drive of the first half. The Bulldogs began their by season securing a one-point victory in a battle against Wofford and, most recently, a 55-41 win over Bethune-Cookman.
SC State is coming into their matchup in Tampa currently holding 1st in the MEAC, and a 2-1 record, the same as USF. The majority of South Florida’s preparedness for this game will come from doing their homework in the film room.
USF vs. SC State 2025 Preview: Keys, Players, and Predictions
Key Players for South Florida
One of the biggest stories for USF football this season has been the defense. Linebackers Mac Harris and Jhalyn Shuler have been ruthless on the field, leading the charge for the Bulls defense. Deep in the secondary, cornerback De’Shawn Rucker and defensive back James Chenault have stood out. Rucker can chase down his target, and Chenault has been impressive, securing an interception in both the Florida and Miami games. Safety Jarvis Lee has also been a valuable presence downhill, he secured the second interception for the USF in the Miami game.
On offense, wide receiver Keshaun Singleton has continued to make game-changing catches downfield. Meanwhile, Chas Nimrod is a go-to target in the middle. Freshman wideout Christian Neptune made his debut in Week 2 and has been increasingly impactful on the field with every rep. While the backfield has had a slow start, running back Alvon Isaac has displayed his talent, bringing intense power and speed to both the rush and pass games.
Quarterback Byrum Brown had some trouble finding his rhythm and commanding the offense this past week at Miami. However, he arguably had his best game of the season so far against USF’s toughest opponent. Despite the interception that broke his streak and a program record of over 250 passes without one, Brown had his most power-driven game, launching passes in the middle and downfield. In addition to being effective with his throwing arm, Brown can also utilize his abilities in the run game and take the ball all the way down himself.
Key Players for South Carolina State
Leading the charge for the Bulldogs is quarterback Ryan Stubblefield, who has racked up 500 passing yards on the season. Running backs KZ Adams and Mason Pickett-Hicks lead the backfield with 101 rushing yards each. Wide receivers Jalen Johnson and Jordan Smith are both reliable targets downfield, while Cyrus Eillison is the leading tight end with six receptions for 70 yards.
The defense is led by sophomore linebackers Roderick Kelly and Jordan Franklin. Kelly is the current position leader with 14 tackles for the season. Mike Lunz is one of the pioneers on the defensive line, and defensive back Tyler Jones leads the secondary.
2025 Game Prediction: How USF Wins vs. SC State in Week 4
Keep the same approach
Head coach Alex Golesh holds each player to the same standard and believes the team can prepare for each game the same way. This is the same team that faced three straight weeks of ranked opponents, winning two out of three. While they didn’t play well enough to defeat Miami, they also delivered a showstopper against Boise State and made history in The Swamp with a victory over the Florida Gators. This week allows USF the opportunity to refocus, alter any part of their process if needed, and reset so they can work for what’s ahead accordingly.
Study their opponent
Possibly the most effective homework USF can do this week is study South Carolina State in the film room. As a dynamic team, understanding every aspect of how they operate and scheme will be vital for USF to execute efficiently.
Win time of possession
USF has greatly struggled in the time of possession battle. While the offensive unit moves very quickly, being able to put together longer drives will give USF the best opportunity to put points on the board and prevent exhaustion on defense.
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Mackenzie Neglia
Currently a student at the University of South Florida, raised in a New York football family. Always looking for a new book, coffee shop, and travel spot.