TAMPA, Fla. – The American Athletic Conference announced the 2024 football schedule Thursday. While it was known who USF was going to play, the dates were unknown.
Following a non-conference slate that includes a trip to Alabama and a visit from Miami, the Bulls open conference play at Tulane on September 28.
August 31 vs Bethune-Cookman
The Bulls kick off the season on a Saturday evening by hosting Bethune-Cookman, an HBCU that competes in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. It will be the first meeting between the schools. The Wildcats went 3-8 last season, including losses at Memphis (56-14) and Miami (48-7).
September 7 at Alabama
Last year’s game against the Crimson Tide at Raymond James Stadium was tied at three at the half before Alabama prevailed, 17-3, in a weather-delayed affair. This will be Kalen DeBoer’s second game as coach at Alabama, which went to the CFP last season. It will be the third meeting between the schools. The first was at Legion Field in Birmingham in 2003, Alabama’s final game at “The Old Gray Lady.” Jalen Milroe, a likely preseason Heisman candidate, did not play in last year’s game as Nick Saban went with the now-departed Tyler Buchner.
Read: USF Men’s Basketball Sets Program Record With 13th Straight Win
September 14 at Southern Miss
The fifth meeting between the Bulls and Eagles will be the first in 20 years. USF was an FBS independent for the first two meetings (2000, 2002) and the last two (2003, 2004) were when the programs were members of Conference USA. The Bulls’ lone win was in 2002 at Raymond James Stadium. The Eagles, who are now in the Sun Belt, went 3-9 last season.
September 21 vs Miami
The Bulls complete their non-conference slate with Miami’s first visit to Raymond James Stadium since 2013. That was the last time the teams met. The Hurricanes have won five of the six matchups with USF’s lone win a 23-20 overtime verdict at Miami in 2010. The Hurricanes, who have turned to former Washington State at quarterback Cam Ward, went 7-6 last season.
September 28 at Tulane
The Green Wave will have a different look in 2024 as quarterback Michael Pratt attempts an NFL career and coach Willie Fritz takes over at Houston. New coach Jon Sumrall arrived from Troy and inherits a program that won 23 games the last two years. Tulane has won three of four meetings, including the most recent matchup in 2022.
Read: USF Holds Off No. 24 FAU In Front Of Record-Breaking Crowd At Yuengling Center
October 11 vs Memphis
Following a bye, the Bulls host Memphis on a Friday night. The Tigers return quarterback Seth Henigan who led them to a 10-win season in 2023 that included going 6-2 in conference play. USF is 4-8 against the Tigers, including a 59-50 loss at Memphis last season when the teams combined for 1,163 yards.
October 19 vs UAB
The teams met last year in Birmingham with the Blazers prevailing, 56-35. It was one of four wins in coach Trent Dilfer’s first season at UAB. It was the third meeting between the schools with the Blazers taking a 2-1 lead. The first two meetings were as Conference USA members in 2003 and 2004.
November 1 at FAU
This Friday night matchup follows another bye. The Bulls visit Boca Raton a third straight year, though the first time playing the Owls. With Hurricane Ian looming in September 2022, USF moved its game against East Carolina from Tampa to Boca. The Bulls capped last season at FAU Stadium with a bowl win over Syracuse. Tom Herman’s Owls blew out the Bulls, 56-14, at Raymond James Stadium last season in the first meeting between the schools in 10 years. USF leads the series, 3-2.
Read: A Glimpse At USF’s Bowl History, Which Started In 2005
November 9 vs Navy
This will be the fifth meeting between the teams. The Bulls evened the series by winning in Annapolis last year, 44-30. Navy’s only previous visit to Tampa was 2016. The Midshipmen went 5-7 last season, Brian Newberry’s first as coach after taking over for Ken Niumatalolo.
November 16 at Charlotte
A 48-14 win over the visiting 49ers on Thanksgiving weekend clinched bowl eligibility for the Bulls last season. That was the first meeting between the schools. With a capacity of 15,000, Jerry Richardson Stadium will be the smallest FBS venue the Bulls will have visited.
November 23 vs Tulsa
The last time the teams met marked the first career start for Byrum Brown, who did all he could in a 48-42 loss at Tulsa in November 2022. The Golden Hurricane went 4-8 last year in coach Kevin Wilson’s first season. The series is tied at three.
November 29 or 30 at Rice
The first meeting between the schools took place last season when the Bulls defeated the visiting Owls 42-29. The win snapped a 13-game conference losing streak and was highlighted by Naiem Simmons setting an all-time USF mark with 272 receiving yards. Byrum Brown’s 435 passing yards are the second-most in school history. A familiar face will be at quarterback for Rice as E.J. Warner transferred from Temple.
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