The South Florida Bulls (9-3) are gearing up to face the Old Dominion Monarchs (9-3) in the Cure Bowl on Wednesday, December 17, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Both teams have enjoyed successful seasons, finishing their respective conferences with the same record of 6-2, and this matchup marks their first meeting on the football field.
The stakes are high for both teams, with the Bulls aiming to secure a tenth victory for only the third time in their history. Achieving a third consecutive bowl win would also be a significant milestone for South Florida. On the other side, Old Dominion looks to accomplish the same feat, as they too seek their tenth victory, which would mark a notable achievement for a program that began at the Football Championship Subdivision level in 2009 before transitioning to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2014.
Both teams will be without their starting quarterbacks, as Byrum Brown of USF and Colton Joseph of ODU have opted out of the bowl game. USF will turn to sixth-year quarterback Gaston Moore, who has been a reliable backup and is eager to make a mark in his final college game. Moore, affectionately referred to as “Gas Pipe,” has showcased his abilities in practice and is expected to lead a Bulls offense that boasts a core of talented receivers.
Meanwhile, Old Dominion will likely turn to freshman Quinn Henicle, as Joseph prepares for a transfer. With limited experience, Henicle will face a formidable USF defense that has been known for creating turnovers, ranking seventh nationally with 24 turnovers forced this season. The Bulls will look to pressure Henicle and capitalize on potential mistakes.
The coaching dynamics for both teams have also changed. With Alex Golesh’s departure to Auburn, USF has implemented interim support from existing staff, including Kevin Patrick as the acting head coach and Jack Taylor overseeing the offense. This shakeup could provide added motivation for players looking to impress the newly appointed head coach Brian Hartline, who was recently hired from Ohio State. In contrast, Old Dominion maintains stability with Coach Ricky Rahne continuing to lead.
The emotional stakes are particularly high for South Florida’s seniors, many of whom endured a challenging 1-11 season last year. The desire to leave a legacy with a win has galvanized the team, and achieving a ten-win season after such adversity would be a monumental achievement in the program’s 29-year history. Senior center Cole Best highlighted the pride in this opportunity, underscoring their collective determination to finish strong.
As both teams prepare for this exciting matchup, the Cure Bowl promises to be a thrilling contest driven by motivation, opportunity, and the pursuit of a significant victory. Fans can tune in to watch the game live on ESPN, with kickoff scheduled for 5 PM.