USF Stuns No. 2 North Texas, 24–21, for program-defining Upset

Josh Folck, The Stateline Gazette TAMPA, Fla. — Byrum Brown threw for two touchdowns and added a short rushing score as USF rallied in the fourth quarter to stun No. 2 North Texas 24–21 on Wednesday night, delivering a program-defining upset in Week 6 of the Stateline season.

Winless entering the week, the Bulls erased a fourth-quarter deficit and closed the game with poise, forcing a late stop to seal their first victory of the season and shake up the conference title race.

“This wasn’t about the standings,” USF head coach Grant Drachman said. “This was about belief. Our guys believed all week, and when it mattered most, they played fearless.”

North Texas appeared in control early, jumping out to a 7–0 lead in the first quarter and taking a 14–10 advantage into halftime. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker led a balanced attack, throwing for 240 yards and two touchdowns while also pacing the Mean Green on the ground.

The Mean Green extended the margin to 21–17 by the end of the third quarter, but momentum shifted quickly in the final period.

USF responded with its most composed stretch of the season. Brown completed 24 of 31 passes for 268 yards, guiding an offense that leaned on efficiency rather than explosive plays. Tight end Wyatt Sullivan caught a key fourth-quarter touchdown to give the Bulls their first lead of the night.

“We trusted Byrum to manage the moment,” Drachman said. “He didn’t try to be Superman — he just kept moving the chains.”

USF finished with 326 total yards and controlled the ball in the closing minutes, limiting North Texas’ opportunities to respond.

Turnovers proved decisive. North Texas totaled 342 yards but committed three interceptions, two in the second half that halted potential scoring drives and kept USF within striking distance.

“That’s on me,” North Texas head coach Matt Cummings said. “You can’t turn the ball over three times on the road and expect to beat anyone — especially a team that’s playing desperate football.”

Despite the miscues, North Texas had a final chance to reclaim the lead, but USF’s defense held firm and forced an empty possession to close out the upset.

USF spread the ball among several targets, with Sullivan leading the way and running back Cartevious Norton contributing both on the ground and through the air.

North Texas countered with big-play moments from its receiving corps, including a 98-yard night from Cameron Dorner, but could not overcome the turnover margin.

For USF, the win snapped an 0–5 start and provided a jolt of confidence heading into the second half of the season.

“This changes how people see us,” Drachman said. “But more importantly, it changes how we see ourselves.”

For North Texas, the loss marked a costly stumble in the Stateline title race.

“We’ve got to respond,” Cummings said. “The good teams learn from moments like this. We’ll find out who we are next week.”

USF 24, North Texas 21

Team statistics USF — 326 total yards; 27 rushing attempts, 58 yards, TD; 24 of 31 passing, 268 yards, 2 TDs North Texas — 342 total yards; 13 rushing attempts, 102 yards, TD; 16 of 21 passing, 240 yards, 2 TDs

Passing USF — Byrum Brown 24-31-268, 2 TDs, INT North Texas — Drew Mestemaker 16-21-240, 2 TDs, 3 INTs

Rushing USF — Cartevious Norton 18-61; Byrum Brown 8-minus-3, TD North Texas — Drew Mestemaker 6-59; Caleb Hawkins 6-41; Quardell Jackson 1-2

Receiving USF — Wyatt Sullivan 6-47, TD; Chas Nimrod 4-58; Jeyquan Smith 3-32; Jeremiah Koger 2-27; Keshaun Singleton 2-40; Evan Dangler 2-11; Weston Wolff 1-11; Cartevious Norton 4-42 North Texas — Cameron Dorner 2-98, TD; Miles Coleman 5-69, TD; Wyatt Young 5-45; Tre Williams III 2-15; Caleb Hawkins 2-13