As a kid growing up in Gainesville, USF running back Alvon Isaac dreamed about playing at the University of Florida's fabled stadium, the Swamp.
"In my mind, I was always out there using my speed, making people miss, hearing the roar of the crowd,'' Isaac said.
Saturday night, Isaac lived that dream. But it was a different sort of reality. Isaac wore USF's green-and-gold. He was a key player in all facets — running, receiving and returning kicks. He delivered the biggest play on USF's game-winning drive, taking a screen pass from Byrum Brown, juking a would-be tackler, escaping from traffic and racing 29 yards into scoring position.
Five plays later, Nico Gramatica's walk-off 20-yard field goal clinched USF's 18-16 victory against the Gators. Isaac didn't even watch. He stood on a bench with his back to the play, facing UF's traumatized student section, and extended both arms skyward, signaling a successful field-goal attempt and a stunning USF triumph.
"I will never forget that night as long as I live,'' said Isaac, who added he had "dozens and dozens'' of family and friends in the stands. "Right after the game, it was the craziest celebration I've ever seen. There was so much happiness. My dream came true. I played at the Swamp. My team won.
"But you know what? It's time for us to move on.''
It's a mature outlook for Isaac, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Monday. It's also a way of life for head coach Alex Golesh and USF football. Work hard. Respect the game. Stay humble. Execute. Celebrate (briefly). Rinse and repeat.
Once again, the stakes have been raised. The No. 18-ranked Bulls (2-0) will face the No. 5 Miami Hurricanes (2-0) at Hard Rock Stadium, getting yet another opportunity for national attention and resume-building.
Isaac, a 5-foot-9, 185-pound fireplug with 10.6 speed in the 100 meters, was a 1,000-yard rusher for The Villages Charter School before shifting to the Hawthorne High Hornets and winning a Class 1R state championship in 2023. He already had committed to USF before his senior season at Hawthorne.
"It was actually before the first game (of Golesh and his staff) at USF,'' Isaac said. "It felt like home. It felt like a family. Coach Golesh told me he really wanted me in his offense. He said I could be a game-changer. I believed him and trusted him, so I committed.''
Then, maybe for the first time in his life, Isaac was stopped in his tracks.
As a USF freshman in 2024 — in a stacked backfield with Kelley Joiner, Nay'Quan Wright and Ta'Ron Keith — Isaac played sparingly. He had just six carries for 50 yards all season.
"Alvon is a really, really good football player,'' Golesh said. "He plays on every special team for us. He had a tough freshman year, but he stayed the course. He's a selfless young man who keeps pouring into his process. He has already had some huge plays for us this season.''
Isaac had 131 combined yards against the Gators. In the opener against Boise State, he had a 49-yard run. He has distinguished himself in a backfield that also includes a pair of promising transfers — Cartevious Norton (Charlotte) and Sam Franklin (Oklahoma).
"When I first got here, it was a mental year, just learning from the older guys who played in front of me,'' Isaac said. "It was my chance to learn the film room, how to study, personnel, learning assignments, blocking, everything that makes you into a good player. I'm a fast guy, but you have to be patient and know when to hit the hole. You can't just outrun people at this level. They're too good. I can be a home-run hitter, but I've also learned to be patient."All of that experience and preparation made me confident. I feel like I've got to prove myself because I really put no name out for myself, as of yet. Every time I have the ball, I'm trying to make sure people remember me. I want everyone to know who Alvon Isaac is. And it's not just about carrying the ball. I'm doing everything I can to help this team win.''
Giving back comes naturally for Isaac.
When he returns to Gainesville, one of his favorite activities is heading to the neighborhood community center he once frequented and interacting with young people.
"Some kids are looking for a way out and you want to teach them the right way to go about it,'' Isaac said. "Staying on the streets is not the right way. I was lucky that my family taught me the difference between right and wrong. You've got to show them how to set goals and teach them that, no matter what, there's always hope for a better life.''
You just need patience. Isaac learned that lesson as a USF freshman while biding his time. Now his time has arrived.
"I'm a humble kid, pretty chill,'' Isaac said. "But I know what I want. Life is about making the right choices and staying true to yourself. I think there's a lot more ahead for me here at USF, but I know when I look back, I'm always going to have a smile on my face from that night at the Swamp.''
Sometimes, dreams really do come true.
–#GoBulls–
