TAMPA, Fla. – Neither starting quarterback will play in Wednesday’s Cure Bowl. The Bulls’ Byrum Brown will sit it out as he ponders his future and Old Dominion’s Colton Joseph is in the transfer portal. That’s too bad because it could have been quite a show between the two.
Brown leads the nation in total offense (347 yards per game) and became the 12th player in FBS history to pass for 3,000 yards and run for 1,000 yards in a season. Joseph is eighth nationally in total offense (303 yards) and also topped 1,000 yards rushing.
Interim coach Kevin Patrick turns to Gaston Moore to lead the Bulls (9-3/6-2 American) in what will be the senior’s only career start in his final collegiate game. Moore arrived at USF during preseason camp and played in seven games, throwing for 54 yards and a touchdown.
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Moore spent the previous four seasons as a backup at Tennessee, the first two (2021-22) with Alex Golesh as the offensive coordinator. He began his career at UCF in 2020 under coach Josh Heupel and Golesh, who was the Knights’ co-offensive coordinator. Moore followed both to Tennessee.
“He’s been in this system, what, six years coming from Tennessee,” said Patrick. “He’s confident and the guys are confident around him. He walked by me (during a bowl practice) and said, ‘This is one of the greatest opportunities of my life. This is my last college game and I’m giving it everything I’ve got.’ I think you all are going to be impressed when he gets out there.”
Ricky Rahne, wrapping up his fifth season on the Old Dominion (9-3/6-2 Sun Belt) sideline, will go with Quinn Henicle. The redshirt freshman, who has totaled 635 yards and five touchdowns in two seasons, will make his second career start.
READ :Bulls Charge Into Orlando: USF Eyes 10-Win Season Against Old Dominion In Cure Bowl
Henicle will operate behind an experienced line and with a strong group of receivers – three with 35-plus receptions and more than 600 yards – as well as what is still a strong run game even without Joseph. The Monarchs, who are averaging 237 rushing yards per game to rank seventh nationally, will be led by Trequon Jones (736 yards, 7.6 avg.) and Devin Roche (530 yards, 5.8 avg.). Roche is also averaging 12.1 yards on 18 punt returns.
“They got some great receivers and I am really, really impressed with them,” said Patrick. “I am even more impressed with the O-line and the running backs. They have a really great group and it is going to be a challenge, but our guys are up to it defensively.”
Wednesday’s Cure Bowl is at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Kickoff is 5 p.m. and the game will be on ESPN.
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