Junior USF quarterback Bryce Archie has been on the sidelines for most of his collegiate football career.

When Archie, 20, made his second career start on Saturday against UAB – landing his first career win – he gained a different perspective of his own sport. 

“The main thing I learned is the work it takes to win a college football game,” Archie said after the win. “A lot of people say they can do it, but when you’re out there, it’s a little different.” 

After beating the Blazers last Saturday, he received the game ball to mark the milestone, which he said he gave to his mom. 

Archie began this season as the second-string quarterback on the depth chart – but was suddenly thrust into the starting position after junior Byrum Brown exited the game against Tulane on Sept. 28. 

Related: USF football analysis: Bulls beat UAB with late-game offensive flurry

Archie’s been waiting a long time to get his shot. With Brown out with injury, that time is now. 

“I’ve been waiting two-and-a-half years to finally come out and show everyone how good of a quarterback I can be,” Archie said. 

He’s had an interesting journey getting here. 

Archie was a star multi-sport athlete at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia – a suburb thirty minutes from downtown Atlanta – playing football, basketball and baseball. 

He was the No. 29 ranked quarterback in the nation in the 2022 signing class, opting to commit to Coastal Carolina. 

There, Archie was buried in the depth chart and behind three-time Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year quarterback Grayson McCall. Archie only saw minimal action in two games, compiling a grand total of one completion. 

He transferred to USF the following year. Archie joined a familiar face he’s known since his sophomore year of high school – Bulls head coach Alex Golesh.

The two first met when Archie made an official visit to UCF in 2021 – where Golesh was the co-offensive coordinator. Golesh and the Golden Knights were impressed enough by the then-16-year-old quarterback to give him an offer. 

The two have shared a close bond ever since. 

“He’s the guy that’s recruited me since day one,” Archie said. “When we say we love each other, it’s not just us saying it, we actually mean it.” 

Golesh echoed that sentiment after the two shared their first win together. 

“I love Bryce, I love Bryce’s family, I love Bryce’s fight, I love his spirit,” Golesh said. “I’ve known him for so long, I know how much he wanted this moment.” 

Calls for Archie to be benched after a lackluster performance against Memphis were aplenty on social media. 

Golesh stuck up for his guy. 

“I thought he did a really good job at never panicking, being under control and continuing to lead,” Golesh said during a press conference on Oct. 15. 

Related: ‘I try to dominate in everything I do,’ says USF two-sport athlete Bryce Archie

That was followed by a 201-yard, two touchdown performance against UAB, snapping the Bulls’ three-game losing streak and delivering them a crucial first conference win. 

Quarterback isn’t the only position he’s suiting up for in green and gold. Archie made his collegiate baseball debut this past spring, making three starts as a pitcher. 

But does baseball help him be a better quarterback? Archie thinks so – especially being able to throw the ball at a variety of different angles.

“Every single angle I’d say comes through baseball,” he said. “I played shortstop in high school, and, just turning two or throwing it across the diamond, it helps a lot.” 

There’s no timetable for Brown to return. Archie is tasked with trying to deliver the Bulls their second consecutive bowl appearance – for now, at least.