Sunday, 4 a.m.
Does close count?
When you consider all the losses, the firing of the head coach, the injuries, the quarterback carousel, the punch lines, the eight games giving up 40 points or more, can USF find some solace in giving the 22nd-ranked UCF team a fight before losing.
Answer: Sure, it counts. It feels better than giving up 54 to Temple. It feels better than losing another American Conference game.
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It helps.
But not much.
In the end, USF finished the worst season of its history Saturday night in a 46-38 loss the Knights. USF trailed by 28 points in the first half, but took a 39-38 lead in the final minutes. The Bulls could not hold, however, giving up an 82-yard touchdown drive behind backup quarterback Mikey Keane that resulted in a touchdown with 20 seconds to play.
Staring quarterback John Rhys Plumlee chewed up the Bulls early, hitting on all nine of his passes and running for 133 yards in the first half. But his injury, coupled with three fumbles, helped the Bulls' in their comeback.
Alec Holler made a one-handed catch from the 14 for the winning touchdown. The Knights were in position for a field goal attempt to win the game before the touchdown.
USF ran the ball well enough to win. Running back Brian Battie had 144 yards rushing and quarterback Byrum Brown had 109. But USF hasn't stopped many teams this season. UCF had 547 yards of total offense.
The Bulls finished the season at 1-10. USF will now try to close in on its new coach.
Pittsburgh 42, Miami 9: A season that began with promise ended up being just another wasted trip through college football. Miami lost its third game of its last four to finish 5-6.
Pitt built a 28-0 lead at the half and coasted. Once again, Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke started but couldn't finish for the Hurricanes.
Israel Abanikanda had 111 yards for the Panthers.