USF’s defense lifts Bulls to win over FIU in Brian Hartline’s debut

USF's defense dictated the game and aided the offense as the Bulls bested Florida International, 19-9, in Brian Hartline's head coaching debut Saturday at Raymond James Stadium.

The difference a year — or more accurately, a massive roster and staff overhaul — can make was clear.

In 2025, the Bulls boasted a high-octane offensive operation. Their lowest scoring effort at Raymond James last season was a 34-point performance in their season-opening win over Boise State, and they entered Saturday having won seven consecutive home games by at least 25 points.

On Saturday, they won by 10 and their longest play went for 14 yards.

The offensive performance was lackluster, but the defense, now led by Josh Aldridge, delivered three turnovers and four fourth-down stops to lift USF to a comfortable victory.

"I've been a part of a lot of boring Week 1s, to say the least," Hartline said postgame. "Find a way to win, and grow from there."

He admitted he'd like to see the offense be more productive, but added he will never bemoan a win.

"The standards are where they need to be," Hartline said. "I think we'll continue to grow and work and look forward to the growth we're gonna have from Week 1 to Week 2, and then it better grow again from Week 2 to Week 3. And we'll continue that process through the whole season."

Some of the drastic differences in offense seemed intentional. Where Alex Golesh, now the head coach at Auburn, might have seen the opportunity to convert a short fourth down or even attempt a tricky fake punt, Hartline and offensive coordinator Tim Beck saw an opportunity to call on Nico Gramatica, their trusty kicker, or pin the Panthers deep in their own territory.

There was however, a level of offensive execution USF did not deliver Saturday night that can't be attributed to a difference in approach. The Bulls ran 56 offensive plays but generated only 208 yards.

"We got to make sure we can sustain and have longer drives," Hartline said. "Every time you're kicking a field goal, you're that much closer to letting somebody back in the game."

The Bulls' run-heavy attack largely was stifled all evening. D.J. Crowther, a transfer from Dartmouth, and Jason Collins Jr., a transfer from Morgan State, saw a nearly even split of the workload, with 14 and 17 carries, respectively. Collins went for 59 yards, averaging 3.5 yards a carry, and Crowther went for 42, averaging 3 per attempt, and scored a touchdown.

Quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. finished 11 of 18 for 100 yards and seven carries for 7 yards in his USF debut.

"There's probably some opportunities he would probably want to have back, but ... he took care of the football," Hartline said. "And that was the No. 1 job description for Mike."

Hartline said he wanted to be mindful of how much he exposed Van Buren to in his USF debut, similarly to how he approached Julian Sayin's debut at Ohio State last season.

"Really proud of the way he operated the offense," Hartline said of Van Buren. "We'll grow from there."

Tayvion Beasley's third-quarter interception was the game's most pivotal moment. USF led only by three, and the offense sputtered on its first two second-half positions. FIU had put together a lengthy 14-play drive to start the half, and while it ultimately ended with a field goal, the Panthers' offense threatened to score again.

But a screen play set up on the right sideline was botched, as Beasley anticipated JJ Kohl's quick throw and the quarterback failed to abandon the script.

That set up USF at FIU's 35-yard line. The offense was far from prolific, but a methodical nine-play scoring drive ended in a 1-yard touchdown run from Crowther.

Now working with a 10-point lead, the Bulls defense again delivered in front of an announced crowd of 41,847. Deep in its own territory, FIU attempted to convert a fourth and 1, but Kohl fumbled the quarterback keeper, and the Bulls used that opportunity to tack on another Gramatica field goal and extend their lead.

Van Buren said he was pleased to see the team play "complementary football."

"They just put us in a really good position," Van Buren said of the defense. "When they make a play, we got to have their backs and go make a play as well."

The first half belonged to Gramatica, a familiar name on a roster with dozens of transfers. The junior made two first-half field goals to put USF ahead 6-0 after 30 minutes of play, both opportunities that came after fourth-down stands from the defense.

Gramatica's first conversion — a 37-yard attempt — was the final play of the first quarter and came after a failed FIU fourth and 5. Wideout Greg Gaines III, a Tampa Bay Tech graduate, found room in the middle of the field, but couldn't connect with Kohl.

Gramatica's second kick, this time from 53 yards, came after cornerback Amarion Fortenberry, a transfer from Kansas State, foiled another FIU fourth-down attempt with a tackle for loss. It was Gramatica's second-longest field goal of his career and his sixth from beyond 50 yards.

"Really proud of the guys," Hartline said. "Winning's never easy. Never take it for granted because if you do, it's fleeting."

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