Sunday, 3 a.m.
Here's one way you know things have improved for the USF Bulls.
They won by a big score, 63-14. And still, some fans were dissatisfied with the effort.
The Bulls ran their record to 3-1 with the big win over South Carolina State. And while there were some moments when the Bulls looked ordinary, they still won going away via the big play.
South Carolina State had the ball for 43:07 to just 16:53 for USF. But in those less-than 17 minutes, the Bulls threw for 252 yards and ran for 252.
They also had a number of big plays.
For instance:
-- Quarterback Byrum Brown threw for 256 yards and four touchdowns.
-- Linebacker Mac Harris had 10 tackles, two sacks, an interception he returned 93 yards for a touchdown and a forced fumble.
-- Receiver Charles Nimrod caught four passes for 119 yards ad two touchdowns.
-- Running back Sam Franklin gained 91 yards on four carries. He scored twice.
-- Punt returner Alvon Isaac returned five kicks and averaged 22 yards per attempt.
-- Ashton Mosley recovered a punt after Jaelen Stokes blocked it.
-- USF's defense had five sacks.
The Bulls managed just one touchdown in the first period -- Harris' interception return -- as the Bulldogs ran 17 plays before USF's offense took a snap.
USF scored twice in the second quarter, and five more touchdowns in the third. They scored once in the final quarter.
USF's touchdowns went for 93 yards (interception) 22 yards (pass), 26 yards (pass), 42 yards (pass), 43 yards (run), on a blocked punt, 22 yards (pass), 30 yards (run) and 54 yards (run).
USF has a bye this week, then plays Charlotte at home on Friday, Oct. 3.
Miami 26, Florida 7: A solid defense and a strong offensive line led the fourth-ranked Hurricanes to a convincing win over Florida.
The Canes sputtered for much of the game, leading only 13-7 going into the fourth period. But Maimi scored twice in the last 4:08 to go to 4-0.
The Gators are 1-3 for the first time since 1986.
Florida struggled to get anything going offensively. D.J. Lagway threw for just 61 yards and ran for just 80. Of the 141 yards, 80 came on the Gators' only scoring drive.
Miami quarterback Carson Beck struggled, too, hitting 17 of 30 passes for 160 yards. But Miami ran for 184 yards. Mark Fletcher had 116 of those.
The Miami defense sacked Lagway four times and pressured him 11 times.
Miami is off next week. Florida is home against Texas.
FSU 66, Kent State 10: Are you convinced yet?
The seventh-ranked FSU Seminoles hammered Kent State Saturday, rushing for 498 yards to win its third game of the year.
FSU ran for eight touchdowns in the game.
Quarterback Tommy Castellanos hit 10 of 13 passes for 205 yards before leaving with an injury. Micahi Danzy caught passes for 112 yards. Gain Sawchuk ran 11 times for 97 yards.
The Seminoles play at Virginia Saturday night.
