FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS
USF rolls up 500 yards of offense in convincing win at #21 FAU
Saturday October 23, 2027 | 3:15PM | Howard Schnellenberger Field at Flagler Credit Union Stadium | Boca Raton, Florida
Boca Raton, Florida —On a warm October afternoon in front of a packed crowd at Howard Schnellenberger Field, USF delivered its most complete performance of the season, overwhelming No. 21 Florida Atlantic 49–20 in a game that showcased offensive precision, defensive opportunism, and breakout performances across the depth chart.
From the opening whistle, the Bulls dictated tempo. By the time the clock hit zero, they had compiled 514 yards of offense, scored touchdowns on seven separate drives, and never once punted. It was as authoritative a win as head coach DJ Porter has had since taking over the program.
USF wasted no time setting the tone. Quarterback Locklan Hewlett, who continues to evolve into one of the American Conference’s top passers, opened the scoring with a perfect 33-yard strike to Tyler Williams. The star wideout added a second touchdown later in the quarter, finishing with a dominant 9 catches for 138 yards.
FAU briefly punched back. Xavier Terrell’s 15-yard touchdown run in the second quarter cut the lead to 14–7, but USF responded immediately with a physical 14-play drive capped by backup QB Trey Chancellor’s 1-yard plunge.
FAU kicker Mike Hood kept the Owls afloat with two field goals, but Hewlett’s second touchdown to Williams, a 32-yard dime on fourth down, reestablished control entering halftime.
USF led 28–13 at the break and never allowed the Owls to get closer.
USF used six different ball carriers in the game, with four of them getting seven or more carries.
Freshman Connor Suggs ran like a seasoned veteran, torching the Owls for 75 yards on just 10 carries. His explosiveness set up multiple scoring drives and kept FAU’s defense on its heels.
Nicholas Daniel and Steven Snead each carried the ball seven times, rolling up 47 and 50 yards respectfully with Snead finding the endzone in the third quarter.
George Shembo, who leads the team in carries but only got three carries against East Carolina, ran hard for 35 yards and a score on seven carries. He also added a touchdown reception, the first of his career at USF.
In total, USF finished with 214 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
"We knew they had it in them, and today they proved it," Coach Porter said of the new-look backfield. "When we run the ball like that, everything else opens up."
Whatever hope FAU carried out of the locker room evaporated quickly.
USF opened the third quarter with a punishing touchdown drive capped by a 7-yard Shembo run. Minutes later, Snead punched in a 3-yard score to break the game open at 42–13.
Defensively, USF stood tall all night. Cornerback Izaiah Guy delivered one of the day’s biggest highlights, picking off a pass that Gavin Jenkins tipped and toting it back 65-yards to set up a red-zone opportunity. He finished with 10 tackles, a tackle for loss, and that momentum-swinging pick.
The Bulls gave up yards through the air but held strong whenever it mattered most, allowing FAU just two touchdowns, and only one after halftime.
Elton York’s 3-yard touchdown run came on his first carry of the season as Coach Porter worked some reserves into the game with just over six minutes remaining.
For FAU, the afternoon was an uphill climb.
Quarterback Emory Williams completed 16 of 29 passes for 206 yards but threw a costly interception. Backup KJ Jewel was sharp in limited action, going 4-for-4 for 45 yards, though neither quarterback produced a touchdown.
Xavier Terrell was FAU’s bright spot offensively, scoring both of the Owls’ touchdowns and finishing with 30 yards on seven carries. Receivers Martavious Collins and Aaron Wilson combined for 148 receiving yards but were held out of the end zone.
Defensively, linebacker Hector Chavez turned in a standout performance with 13 tackles, but the Owls were unable to slow the Bulls’ relentless balance.
It was physical. It was disciplined. And it was decisive.
With the win, USF strengthens its position atop the American Conference and continues to build momentum behind a suddenly expanded offensive arsenal. Hewlett was clinical, Williams was dominant, and the backfield, once a question mark, may now be a genuine strength.
For FAU, it’s a moment to regroup after a rare home blowout and reassess as the conference race tightens.
As the season’s stretch run approaches, one thing is clear: USF has found something. Identity. Balance. Confidence. And if Saturday is any indication, the Bulls are only getting better.
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
(USF) Tyler Williams, 33-yard pass from Locklan Hewlett (Nico Gramatica kick), 5:43
(USF) George Shembo, 6-yard pass from Locklan Hewlett (Nico Gramatica kick), 1:14
Second Quarter
(FAU) Xavier Terrell, 15-yard run (Mike Hood kick), 8:29
(USF) Trey Chancellor, 1-yard run (Nico Gramatica kick), 4:34
(FAU) Mike Hood, 22-yard FG, 2:47
(USF) Tyler Williams, 32-yard pass from Locklan Hewlett (Nico Gramatica kick), 1:06
(FAU) Mike Hood, 28-yard FG, 0:06
Third Quarter
(USF) George Shembo, 7-yard run (Nico Gramatica kick), 5:14
(USF) Steven Snead, 3-yard run (Nico Gramatica kick), 1:49
Fourth Quarter
(USF) Elton York, 3-yard run (Nico Gramatica kick), 6:07
(FAU) Xavier Terrell, 1-yard run (Mike Hood kick), 1:57
USF Stat Leaders
Passing
L. Hewlett – 21/25 285 Yds 3 TD 0 INT
Rushing
C. Suggs – 10 Car 75 Yds 7.5 Avg
S. Snead – 7 Car 50 Yds 7.1 Avg 1 TD
N. Daniel – 7 Car 47 Yds 6.7 Avg
G. Shembo – 7 Car 35 Yds 5.0 Avg 1 TD
E. York – 2 Car 3 Yds 1.5 Avg 1 TD
T. Chancellor – 2 Car 3 Yds 1.5 Avg 1 TD
Receiving
T. Williams – 9 Rec 138 Yds 15.3 Avg 2 TD Long 33
D. Zipperer – 4 Rec 60 Yds 15.0 Avg Long 21
J. Bridgewater – 3 Rec 37 Yds 12.3 Avg Long 19
S. Snead – 1 Rec 21 Yds 21.0 Avg Long 21
D. Troup – 2 Rec 18 Yds 9.0 Avg Long 12
Defense
I. Guy – 10 Tkl 1 TFL 1 INT 65 Yds
C. Hawkins – 9 Tkl
E. Rance – 6 Tkl
D. Igbinoghene – 6 Tkl
J. Dalias – 5 Tkl
N. Jones – 5 Tkl 1 TFL
D. Exume – 4 Tkl 1 Sck
Special Teams
N. Gramatica – 7/7 XP
D. Igbinoghene – 1 KR 22 Yds 22.0 Avg Long 22
E. York – 2 KR 30 Yds 15.0 Avg Long 20, 1 PR 10 Yds 10.0 Avg Long 10
FAU Stat Leaders
Passing
E. Williams – 16/29 206 Yds 0 TD 1 INT
K. Jewel – 4/4 45 Yds 0 TD 0 INT
Rushing
K. Keith – 8 Car 37 Yds 4.6 Avg
X. Terrell – 7 Car 30 Yds 4.2 Avg 2 TD
Receiving
M. Collins – 5 Rec 76 Yds 15.2 Avg Long 32
A. Wilson – 5 Rec 72 Yds 14.4 Avg Long 26
A. Waseem – 1 Rec 27 Yds 27.0 Avg Long 27
K. Keith – 1 Rec 20 Yds 20.0 Avg Long 20
T. Hawkins – 2 Rec 20 Yds 10.0 Avg Long 19
B. Cain – 2 Rec 14 Yds 7.0 Avg Long 9
Defense
H. Chavez – 13 Tkl
M. Wright III – 10 Tkl 1 TFL
L. Johnson – 9 Tkl
K. Boylston – 9 Tkl
T. Bennett – 7 Tkl
C. Goggins – 6 Tkl
T. Wray Jr. – 5 Tkl
S. Gaffney – 5 Tkl
A. Robinson Jr. – 5 Tkl
Special Teams
M. Hood – 2/2 FG (Long 29), 2/2 XP
C. Dukes – 3 Punts 116 Yds 38.6 Avg 35.3 Net 1 Inside 20
A. Waseem – 1 KR 14 Yds 14.0 Avg Long 14
Team Stats Comparison
| Category | USF | FAU |
|---|
| Score | 49 | 20 |
| First Downs | 33 | 18 |
| Total Offense | 514 | 317 |
| Total Plays | 63 | 53 |
| Yards Per Play | 8.2 | 6.0 |
| Rush|Yards|TD | 36|214|4 | 20|66|2 |
| Yards Per Rush | 5.9 | 3.3 |
| Comp|Att|TD | 23|27|3 | 20|33|0 |
| Yards Per Pass | 11.1 | 7.6 |
| Passing Yards | 300 | 251 |
| 3rd Down Conv. | 4|6 (66%) | 6|12 (50%) |
| 4th Down Conv. | 2|2 (100%) | 0|0 (0%) |
| 2 Pt Conv. | 0|0 (0%) | 0|0 (0%) |
| Red Zone TD|FG|% | 5|0|71% | 2|2|100% |
| Turnovers | 0 (+1) | 1 (-1) |
| Fumbles Lost | 0 | 0 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 1 |
| PR Yards | 10 | 0 |
| KR Yards | 52 | 14 |
| Total Yards | 576 | 331 |
| Punts (Avg) | 0 | 3|38.7 |
| Penalties | 2|25 | 0|0 |
