South Florida gave Alabama a major scare in last season’s battle in Tampa, Fla.
The Bulls (1-0) will look to give the No. 4 Crimson Tide (1-0) another tough contest when the teams play on Saturday night in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Last year’s contest was closer than the 17-3 final margin as Alabama scored a touchdown with 33 seconds remaining to seal it.
Quarterback Jalen Milroe didn’t see any action after being benched by then-coach Nick Saban following the previous week’s loss to Texas. He was restored as the starter after the team’s shaky offensive performance against South Florida.
Saban retired in the offseason and was replaced by Kalen DeBoer, who said he isn’t paying much attention to last season’s affair.
“I think there’s a piece they probably remember, but I didn’t experience that with them,” DeBoer said. “So it’s not like I’m really drawing on that, reminding them that it was a closer game. And that falls in line with what one of our pieces of our program is, is to respect all and fear none.
“So that respect factor was there this last week. It’s gonna be there again this week. And I’m sure that there’s certain guys that went through that, as you’re suggesting, that have a different type of determination on top of what we’re trying to do with this 2024 team.”
South Florida hasn’t forgotten the close call and it’s not about to be intimidated in the rematch.
“It will be a really, really awesome challenge,” Bulls coach Alex Golesh said. “That’s one of the better teams in the entire country. I think if we play to our potential and we get our process right … we’ll have a chance to go win the football game. I know our guys, by the time it’s Friday and we get on that plane to Birmingham, they’ll be ready to roll. It’ll be fun.”
South Florida has beaten a Top 5 team just once — a 21-13 victory over No. 5 West Virginia in 2007.
Alabama was sharp in DeBoer’s debut and pummeled Western Kentucky 63-0 last weekend.
Milroe, a Heisman Trophy candidate, passed for three touchdowns and rushed for two. He completed 7 of 9 passes for 200 yards and rushed for 79 yards on 10 attempts.
Freshman Ryan Williams caught touchdown passes of 84 and 55 yards in his college debut.
“People forget he’s 17 years old, and then he’s a guy that came in in the summer time,” Milroe said of Williams. “But I’m super excited for him because he’s a guy that put his head down to work, constantly trying to improve as much as possible as a player.
“He did a really good job for us, but there’s always room for growth and room for our whole offense to keep climbing the ladder.”
South Florida opened with a 48-3 trouncing of FCS program Bethune-Cookman.
Kelley Joiner rushed for 78 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries for the Bulls. The 25-year-old is in his sixth season with South Florida.
“It always feels good to go out and get a win,” Joiner said. “It’s a great way to start my last season. I’ll always remember this game. We work all spring and all training camp for these moments and I’m very excited about what’s ahead for us.”
Alabama is 2-0 against the Bulls, also prevailing 40-17 in 2003.
