Many priorities exist for the black-clad USF Bulls when they face the No. 25-ranked Boise State Broncos in Thursday's season-opener at Raymond James Stadium.
USF's new-look running game and veteran offensive line must control the tempo. The defense must provide suitable resistance against Boise State's high-octane offense. The Bulls want to limit mistakes and create turnovers.
But most of all, USF needs the best version of quarterback Byrum Brown, who is back to full strength after missing eight games to injury last season.
In 2023, Brown showed he was among the nation's best quarterbacks, becoming one of two Football Bowl Subdivision players (along with Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels of LSU) that season to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 800, while setting 12 USF program records.
How can Brown provide an optimal performance on Thursday night?
"I think it's just him playing relaxed and confident,'' head coach Alex Golesh said. "With the way he works throughout a week, he has earned the right to be confident. You've seen the best version of him at times. That means he's running around and causing things to happen with his feet. You've seen the best version of him sitting in there, taking a hit and delivering a ball.
"Now you want to see a version of Byrum who's doing all of it while standing in the pocket, doing a ton in the run game for us, just a confident, non-rattled Byrum. At his best, that's what he looks like. He has practiced that way. He's physically in a really good place. He's throwing it better than he has ever thrown it. He's running better than he has ever run. We're putting more on him from a mental side, and he has handled all of it.''
Brown, a 6-foot-3, 232-pounder, has always been the ultimate team player. He's an inspirational leader beloved by his teammates, especially the offensive linemen who appreciate his toughness.
"The best version of Byrum Brown is going to be unstoppable,'' center Cole Best said. "You're going to see explosive deep balls. You're going to see a confident, tough, triple-threat quarterbacks. The muscle he has put on is impressive. He's solid.''
Best said he has noticed a more determined version of Brown after the injury.
"Byrum always does a really, really good job of keeping his composure, but you could see it in his face every day that he wanted to be in there and that he hated not being out there,'' Best said. "I think he took the opportunity to grow in a lot of areas, coaching up the young guys and seeing things he might not have seen before. When he came back that first practice of fall camp, it was the most confident I've ever seen him. And it has just grown since then.''
It was an emotional shocker when Brown went down last season at Tulane. But Bryce Archie picked up the slack, going 5-3 down the stretch and helping the Bulls to a five-overtime victory at the Hawaii Bowl.
Brown and Archie? USF had the makings of its deepest quarterback room in recent memory. But in July, Archie signed a professional baseball contract with the Cincinnati Reds, meaning that none of Brown's backups had ever taken a snap at USF.
What to do?
USF's New Security Blanket
His nickname, bestowed by Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel, is "Gas Pipe.'' How can you not love a kid named Gas Pipe?
His real name is Gaston Moore. He began at UCF, when Golesh was on staff there, then shifted to Tennessee, when Golesh was the offensive coordinator. The most popular player on any football team is usually the backup quarterback, so Moore cemented his legacy with the Vols' faithful by being a reliable understudy. He was ready when Nico Iamaleava went down with a head injury against Mississippi State. In all, Moore played in six games last season, passing for 201 yards and two touchdowns.
Moore entered the transfer portal, but was extremely selective. Golesh, perhaps setting up a backup plan, had conversations but put the player on simmer. Moore rejected all inquiries and headed into the summer by accepting a freight logistics position with a firm in Charleston, S.C.
Then Archie signed with the Reds.
And Golesh called.
Next thing you know, Moore had signed with the Bulls and headed to Tampa.
"Gaston's question coming in was, 'Where do I start on a depth chart?' '' Golesh said. "And my literal answer was, 'At the bottom. You come in and earn it. If I ever handed you something, I'd lose all credibility here.'
"So, Gaston literally went from last, moved up, moved up and has really competed. When I say he pushes Byrum, they are attached at the hip, everywhere they go. They are challenging each other. They're communicating at an elite clip. He has given us a ton of confidence to say, 'Man, if there was a situation where we had to go to Gas, we'd had 100-percent confidence that he can do everything we can with Byrum because he has proven it.' ''
Brown has acquired a new wingman — and both of them are great mentors for true freshman Locklan Hewlett, who could represent the future.
"Man, Gas, that's my guy,'' Brown said. "He came in a little late, but as soon as he got here, he brought that veteran presence. I can bounce ideas off of him. He's able to bounce ideas off of me. Everywhere we go, we're together. Basically, he became a brother in a week.''
Moore's new USF teammates have a similar level of confidence.
"The first time I talked to him (Moore), he talked about fishing,'' Best said. "And I was like, 'Oh man, he's going to be a good friend of mine.' He comes in as the same dude every day and pours into his teammates. He works really hard and he instantly gained respect from his peers and the coaches here.''
What do the coaches say?
Kodi Burns, assistant head coach: "High output, low ego kind of guy. He's hungry to learn. He asks the right questions. He gets it done.''
Tyler Hudanick, offensive line coach: "He's a perfect fit. He has a great skillset and an attitude of how to prepare, how to see things. Our guys on the O-line love Gas Pipe.''
Jake Taylor, tight ends coach: "Gas is an operator. He knows how to operate the offense. He knows how to operate in social situations. He's a special human being. He has been great for everyone, but I think he has been really great for Byrum.''
Even with that intriguing safety net — and that endearing Gas Pipe nickname — make no mistake about who's running the Bulls.
It's Byrum Brown's team.
And he's ready to do Byrum things again.
The Dual Threat Has Returned
Through most of last season, the injured Brown wore a headset and helped with strategy. He coached up his buddy, Archie. He found himself in a position he hadn't imagined.
He watched.
"Any time the game gets taken away from somebody, it makes you reflect,'' Golesh said. "It makes you appreciate what you have. It makes you appreciate the fact that, man, it's one play that can end this journey you've been on. So, I think Byrum has a really cool approach to it right now where he's grateful for every moment he gets to go play football.''
Brown was always fully engaged in being a teammate, constantly pouring into his supporting cast, teaching, listening and encouraging.
Now those qualities have been enhanced.
"Byrum is doing a really, really good job at leading,'' Golesh said. "I believe he has grown as a leader tremendously. He has gained so much confidence in his own process and his own game, so he is now vocally demanding of others. He has that kind of credibility. We've empowered him to do so because he has grown in every imaginable way.
"It's always fun watching Byrum Brown play. It's going to be really fun to see a confident Byrum Brown on the field. He's very enthusiastic about the weapons that are surrounding him.''
Without the familiar sight of 38-Baby (Sean Atkins), the receivers had reliable returners in Keshaun Singleton and Josh Porter, plus the expected production of Tennessee transfer Chas Nimrod. There's also a revitalized tight-end corps, featuring Florida Atlantic transfer Wyatt Sullivan, potential breakout performer Jonathan Echols and Weston Wolff, back to optimal health after being limited to one game in 2024.
Brown said he loves his targets.
And clearly, the targets love Brown pulling the trigger.
"I'm a fan of Byrum Brown,'' Sullivan said. "I love the way that kid plays. When he walks into a room, he lights it up. And he works his ass off. My kind of guy.''
It's a new-look backfield, which is expected to be paced by Oklahoma transfer Sam Franklin and Charlotte transfer Cartevious Norton.
But don't forget Byrum Brown. He's a runner, too.
"Until Byrum got dinged up, he was as good of a dual-threat guy as there is in the country,'' offensive coordinator Joel Gordon said. "When it's time to use that, we'll use it. When Byrum pulls the football down and turns into a runner on a passing play, he can be fantastic.
"We're excited to just get back into our flow and our groove of offense. Byrum Brown gives us lots of great options. He's such a weapon.''
With the USF uniform combination, Thursday night's game theme is "Back In Back.''
Another theme: "Byrum's Back.''
"I'm excited to get it going,'' Brown said. "We're all excited to do our thing.''
–#GoBulls–
