The text message came on a sticky Saturday night in July, when Gaston Moore was out for an enjoyable dinner with buddies after a long work-week at Charleston, S.C.

Gas Pipe, you got a minute?

"I was getting used to the work life,'' Moore said. "You know, waking up early, working out, fixing a cup of coffee, going to the office, doing that whole deal.

"Then it just happened. I saw that text message. I kind of knew what was coming. My whole life changed in the snap of my fingers.''

There is nowhere to begin with this story — except at the end. On Wednesday at Orlando's Camping World Stadium, Moore will author an irresistible final chapter, one that he never imagined. After an entire career as a backup quarterback — one redshirt year at UCF, four at Tennessee, then this bonus unexpected season at USF — Moore will make his first college start when the Bulls (9-3) take on the Old Dominion Monarchs (9-3) in the Cure Bowl.

Moore's opportunity was set up when Byrum Brown, USF's record-setting starter, opted to help the coaching staff and not play in the bowl game while considering his football future.

"Even I know how crazy this story is, but I'm approaching it like another football game and I'm absolutely going to play my heart out,'' Moore said. "I mean, this is it.'' 

That text message last summer? It came from head coach Alex Golesh.

USF's Bryce Archie, an experienced quarterback who started eight games last season, had just signed a professional baseball contract with the Cincinnati Reds. Brown, coming off an injury, had no safety net. So Golesh, who loved Moore's skills during the coach's days as a UCF and Tennessee assistant, tossed out a Hail Mary.

Moore, a fan favorite who was given the endearing "Gas Pipe'' nickname by Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel, said yes to USF.

At UCF, Moore worked under Dillon Gabriel. At Tennessee, it was Hendon Hooker, Joe Milton and Nico Iamaleava.

"I could've gone to a different situation or a smaller school and been the starter,'' Moore said. "But I wanted a big school. I knew I could play. I could do all the things the guys in front of me could do, sling it, show I could play at the next level. I knew where to go with the ball. I just never got that opportunity.''

After last season, Moore entered the transfer portal and left Tennessee, but he was extremely selective. If he could start somewhere else, maybe he would sign. 

But after a few months — and no ideal situations emerging — Moore took a practical view. Football was done, he thought. He utilized his Tennessee bachelor's degree in supply-chain management. He took a sales representative job with Larkin Logistics, a freight brokerage firm in Charleston, just down the road from his hometown of Hilton Head Island.

Reality hit him from the blindside. 

"I kind of regretted not going somewhere in the portal,'' Moore said. "Once I started working, you know, I kind of experienced real life. It's not always sweet as it sounds. Man, I had another year of ball and I didn't play. That kind of stinks, but I just kept my head forward.

"Then I got that message from Coach Golesh three days before fall camp began. Absolutely crazy.''

Moore said he wanted a fair opportunity. Golesh promised the chance to compete against Brown — with no preconceived notions in training camp.

"I had like an eight-hour turnaround,'' Moore said. "Coach Golesh asked if I still loved the game. I told him I did. I stayed up through the night. Then I told my work I'd have to go away for a while. Then I told Coach Golesh, 'OK, I'm coming to USF.' ''

From the moment he arrived, Moore turned heads in camp, oozing with confidence and experience. But Brown, of course, won the job and had a monumental year, becoming the 12th Football Bowl Subdivision player in history to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in the same season.

"It has been awesome to meet Byrum and learn from him,'' Moore said. "I love hanging out with him. We even had a class together. Hopefully, he picked up a few things from me. He's a great one. He can make something out of nothing.'' 

"Gas Pipe? He's my guy,'' Brown said. "He's a great quarterback in his own right. We became really close and he has been a great guy to work with and bounce things off. He's talented. He can really sling it.'' 

Moore played in seven USF games in relief of Brown, completing 14 of 20 passes for 54 yards and one touchdown. 

"We all respect the way he (Moore) works on his craft,'' said tight ends coach Jack Taylor, who will serve as USF's offensive coordinator and primary play-caller at the Cure Bowl. "He's an operator. He knows how to operate the offense. He knows how to operate in social situations. He's a special human.''

"Our confidence in Gas Pipe is very high,'' interim head coach Kevin Patrick said. "He knows this system. You go out and watch him in practice and he's got an arm on him. Look, we're all waiting for an opportunity. He walked by me the other day and said, 'This is one of the greatest opportunities of my life. It's my last college game and I'm giving it all I've got.' Some stories last a lifetime. I think ya'll are going to be impressed when he gets out there.'' 

If Moore lights it up against ODU, the Legend of Gas Pipe may never die.

"Being at USF is going to mean more than I can ever explain,'' Moore said. "I've learned so much in six years of playing college football. Being a backup quarterback is harder than it looks because you prepare like you're the starter. You're always one play away.

"What I've learned is no matter what the outcome is, you've got to keep working. You never know what might happen. Look at me, starting in a bowl game. I just want to go out there, let it rip and do all I can to help my team win.''

 

–#GoBulls–