No. 21 Florida alligators (1-1, 0-1 SEC) has not lost a non-conference regular season game since the end of the 2017 season. Florida will look to extend its winning streak to 14 straight games when it hosts USF on Saturday night at The Swamp (7:30 p.m., SEC Network).
For the Gators, it’s a chance to turn the page after last week’s 26-16 loss to No. 10 Kentucky. Florida will face an unranked team for the first time this season after back-to-back games against top-25 opponents.
Florida is 2-0 all-time against USF, including a 42-20 win Bykov last year in Tampa. USF returns 10 starters on offense and eight starters on defense from last year’s team while adding several transfers from fifth programs, such as former Clemson wide receiver Aju Aju and former Missouri defensive lineman Jatarian Hansford.
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22:30 | Richardson threw an interception in the end zone
USF cornerback Aomaris Brown intercepts a pass by UF quarterback Anthony Richardson in the end zone with 7:50 left.
Richardson is now 10 of 18 for 112 yards and two touchdowns.
22:10 | USF leads the #21 Gators
South Florida capped an 11-play, 51-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by Michel Dukes Jr. that gave the Bulls a 28-24 lead with 11:14 left in the game.
22:11 | USF threatens to take the lead early in the fourth quarter
The Gators found themselves in a dogfight with South Florida heading into the fourth quarter in Gainesville. USF is down 24-21, but the Bulls have second-and-12 to the Gators’ 42 early in the fourth quarter.
Running back Brian Battle continues to lead South Florida’s backfield, which shredded the Gators’ defense for 266 yards on 33 carries.
UF quarterback Anthony Richardson is now 9 of 15 for 82 yards. The Gators’ rushing attack gained 156 yards on 20 carries through three quarters.
21:44 | USF turns the interception into 8 points
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson had his first interception of the game on the Gators’ opening drive of the second half. USF’s Dwayne Boyles returned it 38 yards to the Gators’ 18-yard line
The Bulls’ Gary Bohannon followed that up a few plays later with a 6-yard touchdown run. The successful two-point jumper makes it 24-21 Gators.
21:14 | Late in the first half, the Florida Gators defense runs six picks
A pass by USF’s Jerry Bohannon was intercepted by Georgia’s Jalen Kimber and returned 39 yards for a touchdown, making it 24-10 Gators with 4:39 left in the half.
South Florida’s Spencer Schrader then connected on a 49-yard field goal to close out the half. The Gators lead 24-13.
Florida’s Anthony Richardson is a quiet 7-for-9 for 75 yards. He also has four carries for a total of 5 yards.
“Overall, the plan is working on offense,” Florida coach Billy Napier said on the SEC Network.
South Florida has over 200 yards on the ground, led by Brian Battle’s 99 yards and one score.
20:48 | The penalty helps the Gators take a 14-10 lead over South Florida
We go back and forth. The Florida Gators’ offense answers a field goal by South Florida’s Spencer Schrader with an 8-yard touchdown run by Nai’Quan Wright with 4:45 left in the first half. Florida now leads 17-10.
USF forced Florida to a fourth down, but a personal foul kept the drive alive for the Gators.
Florida now has 130 yards on the ground on 13 carries and two touchdowns.
20:20 | The Gators get a big running play to regain the lead
Montrell Johnson Jr. runs for a 62-yard touchdown to give the Gators a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter. Giving much needed life to the Florida faithful.
20:14 | South Florida leads the Gators 7-3 after the first quarter
South Florida outscored the Gators 7-3 after the first quarter. Florida has just 70 yards on 10 plays so far in the game.
Florida quarterback Anthony Richards is 4-for-4 for 36 yards. He also has one carry for 2 yards. Nai’Quan Wright leads the Gators’ backfield with three carries for 21 yards.
20:07 | USF’s ground game gives the Bulls the edge over the Gators
The South Florida Bulls had just marched 81 yards in 12 plays in 6 minutes, 46 seconds to take a 7-3 lead with 1:21 left in the first quarter.
Bulls Brian Battle has four carries for 41 yards and a touchdown. South Florida already has over 100 yards rushing. The Gators are sorely missing linebacker Ventrell Miller.
19:52 | The Gator defense gets big on the opener
The Bulls’ opening drive ends in Florida territory after the Gators are forced to convert on a fumble by Shemar James.
Florida then moved the ball down the field before stalling at the 14-yard line. The Gators settled for a 31-yard field goal by Adam Michalek. Florida leads 3-0 with 8:12 left in the first quarter.
16:30 | The Gators are without three starters tonight against USF
ALLIGATORS — EXIT: LB Ventrell Miller (lower body), OL Michael Tarquin (lower body), LS Marco Ortiz (upper body), TE Arlis Boardingham (upper body), QB Jack Miller III (thumb), OL David Conner ( upper body); DOUBTFUL — CB Jaydon Hill (knee).
USF — EXIT: RB Kelley Joiner Jr. (foot); DOUBTFUL: LB Antonio Grier (undisclosed), CB Christian Williams (undisclosed), CB Daquan Evans (undisclosed), DB Matthew Hill (undisclosed), WR Ajou Ajou (foot), WR Yusuf Terry (undisclosed), WR Latrell Williams (hamstring).
According to Andrew Shashi, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, those on the field and in the stands can expect a 20-25 percent chance of showers early in the game with temperatures around 79 degrees. Shashi said the chances of rain will decrease as the night progresses.
Where and when will the Florida Gators play the USF Bulls?
Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
If: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, September 17
How can I watch Florida vs. USF football on TV streaming?
TV: SEC Network (Channel 611 on DirecTV, Channel 408 on Dish Network, Channel 607 on AT&T), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial), fuboTV (7-day free trial)
Announcers: Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), Cole Kubelik (reporter)
Live streaming: Watch ESPN (requires cable provider), ESPN+ ($9.99 per month) and The ESPN app
How can I listen to Florida vs. USA on the radio?
radio: Gator IMG Sports Network (98.1 FM/850 AM WRUF), ESPN Radio Network, SiriusXM (Channel 192)
Gator IMG Sports Network Announcers: Sean Kelly (play-by-play), Shane Matthews (analyst), Tate Casey (reporter)
Online radio: WRUF.com, FloridaGators.com, University application, Adjust, SiriusXM.com (channel 963)
What is the latest Florida vs. USA betting line?
Florida is a 24.5-point favorite over USF, according to the data Oddsshark.com, an aggregator of odds ratios. More or less – 59 points.
