Sep 7, 2025 - Sports

USF ranked No. 18 in the nation after Gators upset

Yacob Reyes

Nico Gramatica of the South Florida Bulls kicks a 20-yard field goal as time expires to defeat the Florida Gators 18-16 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Sept. 06. — Nico Gramatica's game-winning field goal. Photo: Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

USF did what almost no one thought possible this weekend — literally, not analysts, not bettors, not even a video game.

The South Florida Bulls silenced the Swamp with an 18-16 stunner over the Florida Gators.

Why it matters: It's the program's first win over Florida, and the first time since 2007 that the Bulls beat two ranked opponents in the same month.

And the team broke into AP's Top 25 poll at No. 18.

Catch up quick: USF notched an upset against then-No. 25 Boise State in week one, and came into Saturday's game determined to pull off another.

The then-No. 13 Gators had beaten the Bulls three times before, with blowouts in 2010 and 2021 and a narrow win in 2022. But, as USF coach Alex Golesh put it: "This ain't the same old South Florida."
The Bulls held Florida to just one touchdown, shutting them out for most of the game. Plus, nine penalties and a sputtering offense left the Gators floundering in crunch time, teeing up the Bulls' game-winning field goal.

The big picture: South Florida is ranked for the first time in seven years, and not a single ESPN analyst left the team off their playoff predictions.

The long-suffering program is finally getting its due, and in its penultimate season before moving into an on-campus stadium.

Fun fact: The Gators paid USF $500,000 to play at the Swamp, according to the Gainesville Sun.

What's next: The Bulls hit the road again next weekend to face another in-state rival and ranked opponent: Miami.

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USF ranked No. 18 in the nation after Gators upset

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