The University of South Florida (USF) Bulls lead Syracuse 31-0 at halftime, with a strong defensive effort that included shutting down Syracuse's opening drive, with LeQuint Allen back on the punt. USF's offense capitalized on Syracuse's errors, including a nice catch in the back of the end zone by Atkins for a 13-yard touchdown, and a botched Syracuse field goal attempt that resulted in a 'scoop and score' touchdown for USF. Syracuse's offense struggled with a series of mishaps, including an incomplete pass ruled a fumble, a double reverse fumble, and a botched snap on a field goal attempt. Despite a Syracuse fumble recovery and a defensive stop, USF continued to dominate, outgaining Syracuse 179-59 in total yards. Syracuse quarterback Dan Villari threw an interception, and USF extended their lead with a field goal. The first half was marred by costly penalties, turnovers, including two 'scoop and score' touchdowns for USF, one following a hit by Daquan Evans, and questionable officiating. USF's Byrum Brown surpassed 4,000 total yards for the season, while Atkins eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards with his touchdown catch.
And as a bonus, it took forever to play. https://t.co/1WWcBJopYb
HALFTIME: @USFFootball 31, Syracuse 0
Halftime at the Boca Bowl. USF 31, SU 0. An absolute disaster of a first half. Costly penalties, turnovers (including TWO scoop and scores for USF) no creativity on offense, dopey officials and a partridge in a pear tree. Stats below. Smoke if you got 'em. https://t.co/zVnS87Xh7l
HALFTIME SU, 0 USF, 31 30 (game clock) minutes until the Fran Brown era.
I sent this as the Orange was giving up a SECOND scoop and score. https://t.co/lpmEVryu7r
ANOTHER ONE!!!! @TramelLogan10 with the SCOOP & SCORE!!! 💻: https://t.co/TaXSvNFVYZ #ComeToTheBay | #StayInTheBay https://t.co/v9zvoONE7O
Another scoop and score. This one by Tramel Logan after Daquan Evans annihilates whichever Orange QB was in there. #USF 31, Syracuse 0
Syracuse is having the worst game of all time.
USF nails a field goal to extend its lead with a few minutes to go until halftime. You'd think the Bulls were one of those gauntlet midseason teams Syracuse faced by the scoreboard right now. SU, 0 USF, 24 2Q | 2:40
The record breaking catch from @seanatkinss! 💻: https://t.co/TaXSvNFVYZ #ComeToTheBay | #StayInTheBay https://t.co/m4W8Pmiiql
USF tacks on a FG to take a 24-0 lead on Syracuse. 2:40 to go until halftime.
4️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣‼️ @byrumbrown17 becomes the 2nd player in program history with 4,000 total yards in a season! #ComeToTheBay | #StayInTheBay https://t.co/taQebyq9Ib
#USF outgaining Syracuse 179-59 at this point.
Good news: Syracuse defense gets a stop after that interception. USF punting now.
INTERCEPTION. Dan Villari throws a pick on a rushed attempted pass and USF has it. Things just can't worse for Syracuse. Maybe I shouldn't say that out loud. They could at this rate. USF 21, SU 0. 8:12 to go in the 2nd qtr.
TOUCHDOWN USF. A Brown-to-Brown connection to give USF a 21-0 lead over Syracuse with 11:54 remaining in the 2nd qtr. https://t.co/sOXTPzJkKr
Byrum Brown over the middle to Khafre Brown, who beats two Orange defenders for 31-yard TD. #USF 21, Orange 0 This is a laugher.
During the last 5 plays in Syracuse USF: -Incomplete pass ruled a fumble without review -Syracuse double reverse fumbled backwards 15 yards -Botched snap on the field goal for a scoop and score TD BOWL SZN BABY!! https://t.co/6NQxBrHzaL
TOUCHDOWN USF. Disaster. Syracuse botches a FG attempt, USF pulls a scoop and score and it's 14-0. 2:22 remaining in the 1st qtr.
Three fumbles in a minute of game clock, yeesh. USF takes its recovery on a botched field goal attempt to the house and has the score stand. SU, 0 USF, 14 1Q | 2:22
What a kooky game so far. Orange have bad snap on 45-yard FG try, kicker Brady Denaburg fumbles upon being tackled by Tavin Ward, and Aamaris Brown returns it all the way. #USF 14, Syracuse 0
And now Syracuse botches a field goal attempt into a USF touchdown.
SOUTH FLORIDA SCOOP AND SCORE Syracuse was hell bent on coughing up the ball this drive.
Syracuse then tries to run an end around, there's a fumble by LeQuint Allen and the ball goes out of bounds. It was reviewed to see if USF had possession but it didn't. What a wacky sequence.
I don't know if this Syracuse fumble recovery will hold up, but someone crack-back blocked Byrum Brown on the return so it won't be a TD. #USF
Another punt with Syracuse. Not having a lot of success getting the ball moving on the ground against USF's defense.
Atkins with a 13-yard TD catch. He's 5 yards from the first 1,000-yard receiving season in @USFFootball history. #USF 7, Syracuse 0
If I'm not mistaken, #USF WR Sean Atkins eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards for the season with that 19-yard TD catch. @USFFootball 7, Syracuse 0
TOUCHDOWN USF. Brown to Atkins for a 13-yard strike. Nice catch in the back of the end zone there. USF 7, SU 0. 7:49 remaining in the 1st qtr.
Syracuse ended up punting on that fourth-and-short after timeout. USF driving again now.
Syracuse's defense shuts USF's opening drive down quickly. LeQuint Allen was back on the punt. Orange offense to start at its own 18.