Nico Gramatica’s 20-yard field goal as time expired secured a dramatic 18-16 upset victory for South Florida over No. 13 Florida, marking the Bulls’ second consecutive win against a ranked opponent and intensifying pressure on Gators’ coach Billy Napier. The game, played at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, was characterized by costly penalties and a resilient performance from the underdog Bulls.
Florida initially controlled the contest, leading 6-3 at halftime after penalties nullified two potential touchdowns, forcing them to settle for field goals. The Gators’ offense, led by quarterback DJ Lagway, struggled with protection and consistency, while South Florida’s defense held firm despite early challenges.
In the third quarter, South Florida gained momentum when quarterback Byrum Brown connected with Keshawn Singleton on a 66-yard touchdown pass, giving USF a 13-9 lead. A safety due to a bad snap by Florida extended the advantage to 15-9 with just 13 seconds remaining in the quarter, putting the Bulls in a favorable position.
Florida responded in the fourth quarter with a touchdown drive, capped by Lagway’s 4-yard pass to Eugene Wilson II, which gave the Gators a 16-15 lead with over 12 minutes left. However, the defense failed to maintain the advantage, as penalties plagued their efforts in the critical final minutes.
With under three minutes remaining, Florida’s defense committed two costly penalties. A pass interference call on second down granted USF a first down, and on the subsequent play, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty resulted in a 15-yard gain and the ejection of a defensive lineman for spitting, moving the ball to the USF 39-yard line.
Brown then orchestrated the game-winning drive, completing a 29-yard pass to Alvon Isaac, who broke multiple tackles, followed by a 12-yard completion to Joshua Porter to reach the Florida 20-yard line with seconds left on the clock. This set the stage for Gramatica’s decisive kick.
Gramatica, a freshman and son of former NFL kicker Martin Gramatica, calmly drilled the 20-yard field goal as time expired, sealing the victory and capping a remarkable comeback. This win is historic for South Florida, as it represents their first road victory against a ranked opponent since 2011 and only the fourth time an unranked team has started 2-0 against ranked foes in the AP poll era.
For Florida, the loss exacerbates existing concerns about head coach Billy Napier, whose record now stands at 20-20 over four seasons. With a challenging schedule ahead, including games against LSU, Miami, Texas, and Texas A&M, the Gators must address issues with penalties and execution to avoid further setbacks. South Florida, meanwhile, looks ahead to a matchup with No. 5 Miami, aiming to continue their surprising early-season success.