Boise State Broncos ON SI

Game recap, analysis: South Florida pummels No. 25 Boise State, 34-7

Three turnovers, mental mistakes doom Broncos in blowout loss 
Bob Lundeberg|
Aug 28, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Sire Gaines (26) holds off South Florida Bulls cornerback De'Shawn Rucker (22) in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium.
Aug 28, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Sire Gaines (26) holds off South Florida Bulls cornerback De'Shawn Rucker (22) in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

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Boise State BroncosSouth Florida Bulls

No. 25 Boise State seized an early 7-0 lead in Thursday’s season opener at South Florida. 

The Bulls then rattled off 34 unanswered points in a convincing 34-7 victory at Raymond James Stadium. 

The Broncos (0-1) lost three fumbles and committed numerous mistakes in all phases against South Florida (1-0). 

Read our game recap, with in-game analysis and big play highlights from start to finish.

FINAL STATS

The Broncos struggled to run the ball without Ashton Jeanty, finishing with 38 carries for 122 yards as a team. Sire Gaines, Malik Sherrod and Maddux Madsen all lost fumbles. 

Madsen completed 25 of 46 passes for 225 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. 

Byron Brown starred for the Bulls, running 14 times for 43 yards and two touchdowns while completing 16 of 24 throws for 210 yards. 

Fourth quarter recap

Final: South Florida 34, Boise State 7. Rough start to the season for the Broncos. 

Bulls field goal: Gramatica tacks on a 33-yard field goal to give South Florida a 34-7 lead with 3:29 remaining. 

Fourth-down failure: Boise State is now 2 for 6 on fourth down after Madsen throws incomplete to Gaines. It’s been a game to forget for the Broncos with 6:34 remaining. 

Another fumble: Madsen fumbles on a fourth-down play deep in South Florida territory. It looked like it just slipped out of his hand. BSU’s slim chance of mounting a comeback is officially over on a hot, humid night in Florida. 

31 unanswered points: That’s right, USF has rattled off 31 straight points since BSU’s early 7-0 lead. 

Touchdown Bulls: USF delivers the knockout blow with a Cartevious Norton touchdown run up the gut. South Florida 31, Boise State 7. Did not expect the Broncos to completely no-show in Tampa. 

Danielson speaks: During his between-quarter interview, BSU head coach Spencer Danielson tells the ESPN sideline reporter that “We just haven’t made the plays we need to make.”

Third quarter recap

End of quarter: South Florida 24, Boise State 7. Bulls are going for the dagger touchdown to put this one away. 

Desperation attempt fails: BSU goes for it on fourth-and-eight from its own 43, and Madsen is nearly picked. There’s no way to sugarcoat it: BSU’s offense has been really, really bad today. Poor WR play, poor OL play, minimal juice from the RBs and Madsen has been inconsistent. A lot to clean up heading into Week 2. 

Hard-hitting Bulls: South Florida is hitting tonight. Latrell Caples is down after a clean pass breakup. 

Touchdown Bulls: That was quick. Brown hits Chas Nimrod for a 55-yard gain, and then the quarterback runs it in from 15 yards out to make it a 24-7 game. This one is getting away from the Broncos with 1:44 remaining in the third. 

BSU turnover on downs: Spencer Danielson turns down a field goal attempt and opts to go for it on fourth-and-two from the 23, and Madsen throws a poor pass to Sire Gaines that falls incomplete. Really surprised BSU didn’t try a field goal there. Bulls take over with 2:47 left in the quarter, leading 17-7. 

Broncos on the move: Madsen converts a fourth-and-one from the BSU 44 with his legs, running for eight yards. Let’s see if that play can spark the offense. Madsen then picks up another first down on the ground to set the Broncos up with a first-and-10 from the USF 31. 

Special teams issues: Boise State struggled on special teams throughout last season. That was another huge mistake. Broncos were completely unaware that USF’s punter was not on the field. 

Touchdown Bulls: After BSU appears to get a three-and-out stop, South Florida opts to fake a punt near midfield and backup quarterback Locklan Hewlett throws a 45-touchdown to star receiver Keshaun Singleton. Broncos were asleep at the wheel on that fake. South Florida 17, Boise State 7, still early in the third quarter. 

Offensive struggles: BSU just doesn’t look right on offense. Daylon Metoyer gets beat badly off the line, giving up a sack on Madsen near the goal line. Broncos then get a delay of game penalty. USF defense in complete command at Raymond James Stadium. Bulls take over at the Boise State 49 following a solid punt.

Bulls punt: South Florida gets one first down but is forced to punt it back to the Broncos. Boise State’s first drive of the second half will begin at its own 10. 

BSU injury: Senior linebacker Marco Notarainni, a team captain, is down after making a tackle. Not good. He walks off gingerly after taking a blow to the head.

Underway: South Florida, leading 10-7, begins the second half with the ball at its own 25. 

Halftime recap

USF offensive leaders: Brown has done it all, completing 8 of 14 passes for 105 yards while running for 23 yards and one TD on nine carries. Brown has been sacked three times. 

BSU offensive leaders: Gaines led the way with eight carries for 41 yards. As a team, Boise State ran for just 61 yards on 19 carries. Madsen is 15 of 23 passing for 122 yards with a TD and no picks. 

Sloppy half: Boise State fumbled the ball three times in the opening half and lost two. The Broncos also had a drive-extending personal foul penalty that led to the Bulls’ lone TD. 

Second recap 

Halftime: South Florida 10, Boise State 7. Bulls get the ball to start the second half. 

Another mistake: A false start leads to a third-and-long that Boise State can’t convert. Broncos choose to play it safe and punt instead of trying a 58-yard field goal or a fourth-and-10. Really, really disappointing half of football for the BSU offense. 

Broncos moving: Ben Ford hauls in a 24-yard pass from Madsen to get Boise State on the periphery of field goal range. 

BSU defense holds: After the Gaines fumble, USF promptly goes three-and-out. Broncos, trailing 10-7, take over at their own 23 with 1:51 remaining in the half. Points here would be massive to salvage a sloppy opening 30 minutes.

Broncos turnover: A promising drive ends when Gaines puts it on the deck in the red zone. Really good hit by the USF defender on the ball. Bulls pick it up and return the ball all the way to the 36. Boise State has been sloppy in the first half of this one. 

Touchdown Bulls: Brown is one heck of an athlete. The senior quarterback scrambles up the middle for a 24-yard TD on third-and-10, running over Benefield near the goal line. South Florida 10, Boise State 7, 6:41 to go in the half. 

Call overturned: The Benefield missed fumble recovery does not matter as the receiver never had possession. Third-and-10 for the Bulls from the Boise State 24.

Near turnover: Wild play near the goal line as Banks puts a big hit on a USF receiver to knock the ball loose, and Ty Benefield just misses coming up with the loose ball. Play is under review to see if it was a catch or incompletion. 

Freshman update: True freshman edge rusher Bol Bol is in the game for Boise State. Head coach Spencer Danielson has praised Bol throughout camp. 

Drive-extending penalty: Boise State sacks Brown for the third time, but Davon Banks draws an unnecessary roughness flag for throwing Brown down late at the end of the play. USF picks up two quick first downs after the break-backing penalty. 

Broncos punt: Boise State gets one first down after the South Florida field goal, but the drive stalls. Madsen hasn’t been sharp and the Broncos’ OL is not creating a ton of push up front. Bulls take over at their own 20. 

Bulls field goal: Nico Gramatica, the son of former NFL kicker Martin Gramatica, drills a 52-yard field goal to get the Bulls on the board. Boise State 7, South Florida 3, 12:39 to go in the half. 

Big penalty: Brown breaks multiple tackles en route to a spectacular 39-yard touchdown run, but the big play is called back on a questionable holding penalty. Huge, huge break for the BSU defense. 

First quarter recap

End of quarter: Boise State 7, South Florida 0. Bulls complete a 37-yard pass on the final play of the quarter to pick up their first first down of the game. 

Touchdown Broncos: On third-and-goal from the 5, Madsen connects with Marshall for a touchdown on a slant pattern. Boise State strikes first on a hot, humid evening in Florida. Broncos 7, South Florida 0, 1:10 remaining in the period. 

First-and-goal: Sire Gaines converts a fourth-and-short and Chris Marshall draws a pass interference call at the 4 to set Boise State up with a first-and-goal late in the opening quarter. 

Fourth-down stop: On fourth-and-one from its own 38, South Florida goes with a quarterback sneak and Brown is stopped short of the line to gain. Curious early-game decision by the Bulls. 

Slow start for BSU offense: The takes are already flying on social media. A LOT of football left. 

BSU returns the favor: Broncos promptly go three-and-out as Madsen is nearly picked off on third down. Poor drive for the Broncos, who punt it back to USF. Bulls will have it at their own 29 when play resumes. 

Three-and-out: South Florida flashes its offensive tempo and quickly goes three-and-out. Braxton Fely and Jayden Virgin-Morgan combine to sack star quarterback Byrum Brown on third down. Broncos take over at their own 27 following a USF punt. 

BSU fumble: Sherrod takes a big hit and fumbles on a third-down reception, and South Florida recovers the ball at its own 39. A promising opening drive ends with no points. At live speed, the hit did appear to look like targeting, but Sherrod was not a defenseless player.

Running back rotation: Sherrod, Gaines and Riley all get touches on the opening drive. 

Broncos on the move: Sire Gaines converts a third-and-one near midfield. Boise State has picked up two first downs on its opening drive. 

Coin toss: South Florida wins the toss and defers to the second half. Boise State will begin the 2025 season with the ball. 

Pregame recap

Pregame coverage: ESPN seems more interested in the Micah Parsons trade than the South Florida/Boise State game. Typical ESPN. 

Weather: Greater Tampa Bay has avoided afternoon thunderstorms today. Temperatures will be in the upper 80s at kickoff with 70 percent humidity at Raymond James Stadium. 

Injury update: Running back Breezy Dubar is out for today’s game. He was fourth on the depth chart behind Sire Gaines, Malik Sherrod and Dylan Riley. 

MORE BOISE STATE NEWS & ANALYSIS

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Bob Lundeberg
BOB LUNDEBERG

Bob Lundeberg is a reporter for Boise State Broncos On SI. An Oregon State graduate, Bob has lived in Idaho since 2019 and is an avid hiker and golfer.

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