A 59-24 victory against Charlotte on Saturday put the Bulls one step closer to bowl game eligibility.

The last time USF scored 59 points or more was in 2017 against East Carolina, when they won 61-31.

The win came as USF (5-5, 3-3 AAC) fights to remain bowl eligible, now needing one more win to clinch a bowl game.

Junior quarterback Bryce Archie accounted for some early mistakes, throwing an interception just five plays into an otherwise efficient Bulls drive.

On the Bulls’ next possession, an Archie incompletion led to a USF three and out.

Despite this, Archie made up for his aerial mishaps on the ground, rushing for 72 yards.

“He obviously started off with the interception,” Bulls head coach Alex Golesh said. “But I felt like he settled in.”

USF’s running game was highlighted throughout the game. On top of Archie’s efforts, graduate running back Kelley Joiner rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns on only nine attempts.

Joiner rushed for his most yards since 2021, when he ran for 126 yards in a 34-14 win against Temple.

Related: USF’s Kelley Joiner is rising to the occasion in his final season

The 49ers (3-7, 2-4 AAC) struck gold early, capping off their second drive with a six-yard rushing touchdown.

USF was quick to answer, moving the ball down the field en route to a 16-yard touchdown rush by senior running back Ta’Ron Keith.

The Bulls combined for 425 rushing yards, a program record, as well as 6 rushing touchdowns.

“We felt like we had a rhythm running the ball,” Golesh said. “[We] did a good job in the redzone finishing drives.”

Charlotte still had its moments – kicker Stephen Rusnak booted a 50-yard field goal to make the game 10-7.

USF responded with another rushing touchdown, courtesy of graduate running back Nay’Quan Wright.

Wright rushed for 43 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

After forcing a three and out to open up the second half, Joiner ran in a 54-yard touchdown. It was the longest run of the season for Joiner.

Charlotte responded with another short rushing touchdown.

From there, it was anything but Rocky for the Bulls.

USF led two straight scoring drives, followed by a 14-yard pick six.

On the next Charlotte drive, senior Bulls linebacker Jhalyn Shuler forced a fumble that would be returned for a touchdown.

Golesh praised the defense’s effort in a post game press conference.

“[It] was such a momentum gain defensively.” Golesh said

Related: Is USF football regressing or just rebuilding? 

49ers quarterback DeShawn Purdie threw a 15-yard touchdown pass, which was quickly followed by an onside kick. USF recovered.

One play later, Joiner strolled into the endzone for his second touchdown of the day.

The Bulls finished the game with four forced turnovers. They scored 17 points off of 49ers turnovers.

With five and a half minutes left, freshman running back Alvon Isaac would tack on six more points.

After a 49ers punt, USF ran the clock down.

The win marked USF’s third road win this season and Golesh’s fifth road win as a coach.

USF will return to Tampa to take on Tulsa at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 23. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and Bulls unlimited.