For the first time in seemingly forever, there were expectations for USF football heading into the first game of its 2024 season against Bethune-Cookman on Saturday night. 

At least for now, USF answered the call. The Bulls routed the Wildcats 48-3 en route to their first season-opening win since 2020. 

Related: USF football wins its first season opener since 2020

It may be against an FCS opponent, but the Bulls sure looked sharp. It was the second-straight year they opened their home schedule with such an opponent. 

Take last season’s home-opener against Florida A&M, for example. It was the classic college football scenario of an undermanned, lower-caliber school with their backs to the wall traveling to an FBS Division I foe. 

Last season should’ve been a blowout. It was anything but that. The Rattlers still were within one score in the fourth quarter, with the Bulls squeaking away with a 38-24 win. 

If last year was a cautionary tale, this time around was the cathartic reckoning.

USF kept its foot on the gas through three quarters against The Wildcats before subbing out star junior quarterback Byrum Brown. The offense was efficient, the defense was aggressive, and USF maintained control of the entirety of the game.

Here are some observations from the Bulls’ week one win. 

Offense looks sharp, yet conservative 

After a three-and-out on their first offensive possession, the Bulls offense looked limited, yet comfortable. 

Brown completed 13 of his 20 pass attempts for 152 yards before exiting in the third quarter in the midst of the blowout, also adding a 42-yard rushing score to open the Bulls offensive barrage. 

Related: PHOTOS: USF v. Bethune-Cookman

The offense relied on the ground game and short passes, not attempting to take the top off the defense. 

USF put up 252 yards and five touchdowns rushing, with graduate Kelley Joiner Jr. leading the way with 78 yards and two scores.

The Bulls spread the ball out on the ground –  senior Ta’Ron Keith and graduates Nay’Quan Wright and Yasias Young also tallied seven carries each. 

“A violent intent” for the defense

Golesh said the defense “flew around with a violent intent” on Saturday, holding the Wildcats out of the endzone for the entirety of the game. 

Bethune-Cookman cycled through three quarterbacks, only managing to scrape out 170 yards of offense. 

The Bulls’ pass defense – which was plagued by inconsistent play last season – didn’t even allow a completed pass until nearly the four minute mark in the second quarter. 

That violent intent materialized into takeaways –  two interceptions that were returned deep into Bethune-Cookman territory – setting up a couple of Bulls touchdowns. 

Talking about the elephant in the room

Hopefully, Saturday’s win was a quick tune-up for the Bulls. USF will hit the road for a highly-anticipated rematch against SEC darlings Alabama.

These two teams met at Raymond James Stadium last season, with the Crimson Tide squeaking out a 17-3 win against a gritty Bulls squad. 

Alabama trounced Western Kentucky 63-0 in head coach Kalen DeBoer’s first game under the helm on Saturday.

DeBoer was hired by Alabama this offseason after leading Washington to a National Championship appearance. 

USF football will face Alabama on the road on Saturday at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN. Follow @USF_huddle for football news and live gameday updates.