In the fifth overtime of the longest game in program history, USF junior quarterback Bryce Archie delivered a strike to put the Bulls up against the San Jose State Spartans in the Hawaii Bowl. 

Two plays later, the green and gold rushed the field as Hawaii Bowl Champions, prevailing in the 41-39 shootout. 

The Christmas Eve game – which was over four hours long – extended into early Christmas morning in the Eastern time zone. 

The win marked the Bulls’ (7-6, 4-4 AAC) second consecutive postseason win under coach Alex Golesh – the first back-to-back bowl victory since 2017. 

Related: USF routes Syracuse in Boca Raton Bowl

“Anytime you have success on a national stage, it’s big,” Golesh said in a postgame press conference.

The game, which went into five overtimes, marked the longest in bowl history since overtime rules were implemented in 1996. 

Golesh said there wasn’t a lack of trying. 

“We tried to end it five different times,” Golesh said. “We kept swinging.”

The Bulls started their swinging early against the Spartans (7-6, 3-4 MW), taking a 21-10 lead going into halftime.

After being backed up to their own endzone on the Spartans’ second drive, USF cornerback Jarvis Lee forced a San Jose State fumble that was recovered by the Bulls.

Thirteen plays later, senior running back Nay’Quan Wright rumbled for a three-yard touchdown.

The Bulls’ running game was shaky, averaging 1.6 yards per carry throughout the night. 

Despite the lack of yards, USF running backs rushed for three touchdowns.

The Bulls’ passing attack, led by Archie, gave life to the offense throughout the first half. 

Archie heaved a 42-yard pass to graduate receiver Sean Atkins late in the first quarter to set up a Bulls score. The pass was one of the 11 passes Atkins hauled in.

Atkins, a former walk-on, cemented himself in USF history as the all-time leading receiver with 2,185 receiving yards. 

In the second half, San Jose State opened the flood gates as USF’s offense sputtered.

The Spartans held the Bulls to just six points in the second half, while scoring 17 of their own. 

The San Jose State offense put up a pair of touchdowns and took a 24-27 lead with only 11 minutes to go in the game. 

After a few misfires on offense, USF received the ball trailing by three with 43 seconds left in the game. 

Archie threw a pair of completions to set up a 41 yard kick for senior kicker John Cannon. The kick, which smacked the right upright, doinked in and took the game to overtime. 

“I practice daily,” Cannon said.  “At the end of the day, it’s the same kick.”

Cannon was rewarded by receiving the game’s MVP award. 

Despite suiting up and appearing in two plays, junior quarterback Byrum Brown did not get the start against the Spartans. 

Brown was injured against Tulane on Sept. 28. Brown has been a game time decision for the past three weeks. 

Related: USF QB Byrum Brown’s future remains uncertain

Golesh revealed that Brown had broken a bone in his leg in a long-winded rebuttal to a question about the messaging of Brown’s injury. 

The injury was previously undisclosed. 

“He has fought like crazy to come back, ” Golesh said. “I don’t really care that anybody is unhappy with the disclosure.” 

The Bulls’ over 4,000 mile trip from USF to Honolulu marked the end of an eventful 2024 season in which the Bulls dealt with their fair share of triumphs and tribulations. 

Still, the Bulls pulled through in the final moments of their season and delivered another bowl game victory. 

“I’m super grateful to everyone who travelled,” Golesh said. “It was an unbelievable experience.”