Pads popped and the band blared as USF football wrapped up its annual spring game Saturday night.

Under the lights for the first time since Christmas Eve, the Bulls’ offered a glimpse at defensive firepower and quarterback depth at Corbett Stadium.

Head coach Alex Golesh emphasized the importance of staging a spring game, even as other programs move away from it. 

“You don’t get many chances outside of the fall to play with real officials, with a band, with cameras,” he said. “It’s good for the players and it’s good for recruiting.”

With 5,360 fans in attendance, South Florida ran a full scrimmage to cap 15 practices aimed at building on the momentum of consecutive bowl victories — and pushing toward something bigger.

For Golesh, the hardest climb is closing the gap between winning mid-level bowl games and reaching the playoff stage.

“The gap isn’t huge,” he said. “But from winning bowl games to playing meaningful games in January, it’s the hardest gap to close.”

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Quarterback room shows depth

USF’s quarterback depth was on display Saturday — but not its starter.

Notably absent from the lineup was star quarterback Byrum Brown, who missed the spring finale after tweaking a hamstring late in practices.

Brown’s last game action came in December’s Hawaii Bowl, where he played just two snaps.

His absence opened the door for three quarterbacks to split reps, most prominently true freshman Locklan Hewlett.

Hewlett showed composure in and out of the pocket, as he moved around to make plays.

His poise earned praise from the likes of Golesh and fellow quarterback Bryce Archie.

“He’s a little baller,” Golesh said. “He’s got a really bright future here.”

Archie voiced his approval of Hewlett as well, saying he “came in and executed”.

While Hewlett took a majority of the snaps for the game, other quarterbacks also saw action.

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Archie, who started multiple games last season, worked a few early drives, completing 11 of 18 passes for 97 yards. 

He said he entered the spring feeling more at ease after gaining significant experience last season.

“[In 2023], I had maybe two games under my belt,” Archie said. “Now I have eight where it actually felt like my team.”

Sophomore quarterback Marcelis Tate entered the game once Archie checked out, completing 4 of 8 passes for 40 yards and one interception.

Front seven feasts

Defensively, the Bulls’ stayed consistent. In total, they tallied 12 sacks and two interceptions Saturday.

Graduate safety Jaelen Stokes snagged one of the picks and said the pass rush was the catalyst.

“If the D-line eats, we all eat,” Stokes said.

Graduate defensive tackle Josh Celiscar and freshman linebacker Gavin Leach led USF in sacks, with two and one, respectively.

Golesh commended Ceslicar’s ability to lead, saying he’s “been a phenomenal leader defensively for us,”

Stokes stressed that the summer, particularly the arrival of freshman, will be critical in setting the team’s culture.

“Summer is the foundation,” he said. “That’s when you show young guys how it needs to look if we’re going to succeed.”