NOTEBOOK: Texas pulls out of 2-for-1 with USF
ORACLE PHOTO/BRIAN HATTAB
USF football’s future nonconference schedule took a serious blow Friday when it was announced Texas ended its scheduled two-for-one with USF.
But the Bulls still walked away with a parting gift.
Instead of playing in Austin in 2020, Tampa in 2022 and Austin in 2024 as originally scheduled, the Bulls and Longhorns will only face off one time — Sept. 5, 2020.
The renegotiated deal also comes with a $1.9 million payday for USF, the largest single-game cash guarantee in program history.
“We’re disappointed to not have the game here,” Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly told the Tampa Bay Times, “but feel that we’ve negotiated a good compromise.”
Kelly also told the Times while he’s “open-minded” to how he’ll fill the dates left by Texas’ cancellations, he will be actively pursuing other Power Five opposition.
Women’s basketball to play in Cancun Challenge
USF women’s basketball will spend its Thanksgiving break in the tropical paradise that is Cancun.
The Bulls are set to participate in the 2019 Cancun Challenge from Nov. 28-30, where they will play three games.
Highlighting USF’s trip to Mexico will be a chance to take on NCAA Tournament runner-up Notre Dame on Nov. 30. The Bulls and Fighting Irish last played each other on Nov. 25, 2017, as part of the Gulf Coast Showcase in Estero, Florida.
USF will also play South Dakota State on Thanksgiving Day and FGCU on Black Friday.
Men’s basketball to play in Cayman Island Classic
USF men’s basketball will spend its Thanksgiving break in the Caribbean as part of the 2019 Cayman Island Classic.
The Bulls are one of eight teams selected to play in the tournament, which will be held at John Gray Gymnasium in George Town, Grand Cayman. Joining USF will be New Mexico State, Old Dominion, Loyola of Chicago, Nebraska, Colorado State, George Mason and Washington State.
"One of the things you look for in a holiday tournament is not only the level of competition, but having the opportunity to bring your players to a place they will remember for the rest of their lives," coach Brian Gregory said in a statement. "It also gives us an opportunity to play in front of our fans because the Cayman Islands are a location that people would love to visit, so I think this tournament checks all those boxes.”
Exact matchups and game times will be announced later in the summer.
More Stories
USF campus ministers offer perspective on stadium development: ‘Exciting benefit of exposure.’
Take a tranquil stroll down Sycamore Drive. It’s a quieter part of campus, hidden away from the usual hustle and bustle of USF. It’s home to an area colloquially known as “Religious Row,” a collection of on-campus religious organizations. In just a few years – with the construction of an on-campus football stadium – the […]
Here’s why these USF softball players chose their jersey numbers
For athletes, the number they wear is more than the added fabric on the back of their jersey. It often tells a deeper story about the players — who they are and where they come from. Here’s why these three USF softball players chose their respective jersey numbers. Related: USF softball is gaining momentum during […]
USF football head coach Alex Golesh: The man behind the process
Football coach Alex Golesh said USF has been on his mind since his own days as a college student when the program was top five in the country. “I distinctly remember sitting there watching it and thinking ‘What is S Florida and what are they doing in the top five in the country?’” Golesh said. […]
USF baseball matches last season’s wins at midseason
USF baseball has reached its midseason, powering through a turnaround year. Despite losing to Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday 7-5, It has already won 21 games, matching the same total from last season with a road victory against Tulane on Sunday. The Bulls (21-16, 7-5 AAC) stand third out of 10 teams in the conference. […]
USF men’s basketball was gutted by the transfer portal. Here’s who remains on the roster.
Things move pretty quickly in this new world of college basketball thanks in large part to the explosion of the transfer portal. Less than a month removed from a second round exit in the National Invitation Tournament, USF men’s basketball looks a lot different than it did in mid-March. In the span of a […]
USF softball is gaining momentum during season’s final stretch
As the USF softball season draws to a close, it seems the team has found some momentum. The Bulls (30-16, 9-9 AAC) have won six of its last seven games. In the last nine days, they have won their last two conference series and stunned the then-ranked No.9 Florida Gators on Wednesday. USF had yet […]