After a hot offensive start including a first possession touchdown, USF’s performance trailed off as the game progressed.

In Alex Golesh’s debut as head coach, the Bulls lost 41-24 against Western Kentucky in Bowling Green, Kentucky on Saturday. 

Bulls (0-1) redshirt freshman quarterback Byrum Brown was announced as the starter moments before kickoff against the Hilltoppers (1-0). 

Senior and last year’s starting quarterback Gerry Bohanon is still recovering from his season-ending shoulder injury and wasn’t in the condition to play, according to the BullsUnlimited Radio Show.

Brown and the Bulls led by as much as 10 in the first quarter where they recorded 242 yards of total offense. He scored on a six-yard touchdown run on the first possession of the game. 

A couple of drives later, Brown connected with junior wide receiver Khafre Brown scored on an 84-yard touchdown pass that gave the Bulls a 14-7 lead. 

However, the Bulls’ offense heavily stalled after the first quarter, only gaining 35 yards. USF and Western Kentucky went into halftime tied at 17 as Hilltoppers senior quarterback Austin Reed slowly began to pick apart the Bulls’ secondary. 

Hilltoppers quarterback Austin Reed came out of the half on fire, with a 42-yard touchdown pass to junior tight end Dalvin Smith. The Bulls would score on a 28-yard run from Brown to tie the game at 24, but Reed answered with a 52-yard touchdown strike of his own to freshman receiver Barry Moussa.

“I thought our kids fought… when you’re trying to build a culture, when you’re trying to build consistency…they should fight,” Golesh said. 

USF struggled in the fourth quarter, committing two costly turnovers. With a chance to tie the game, Brown threw a backbreaking red zone interception on a first and five. 

Coming at such a crucial point in the game, Brown said he wished he would have made a different read on that play. 

“I was trying to fit it into a window, I shouldn’t have forced it,” Brown said. “There’s a lot of plays that everyone wishes they could have back, that was one for me.” 

Brown also fumbled when he was sacked by junior Hilltoppers linebacker Jaques Evans, which was returned for a Western Kentucky touchdown, sealing the game 41-24. 

Golesh still expressed that he has full confidence in his young quarterback’s ability to learn from his performance.

“He’s a tough-a** dude,” Golesh said. “I’ll ride with Byrum any day of the week, anywhere in the country.”

Despite having more offensive yards than Western Kentucky, including 374 rushing yards, USF’s three turnovers and offensive woes were the main reasons for its loss. The Bulls also struggled heavily in the passing game, completing only three passes over 10 yards. 

An inability to move the chains also contributed to the loss, with the Bulls only converting 8 of 21 third-down chances. 

The Bulls now look to next week’s home opener against FCS opponent Florida A&M. The two teams last met in 2021, where USF won 38-17. 

USF plays its first of three straight games at Raymond James Stadium against Florida A&M on Sept. 9. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.