It wasn’t the biggest game of the weekend but it had a frosty exchange after it.
South Florida scored the game’s final 23 points on the way to a 44-21 victory over Florida Atlantic on Friday night. The Bulls went for a two-point conversion after the touchdown that put them up by the final score.
Last year, FAU, up 56-14 on USF in the 4th, kicks an onside kick
Tonight, USF, after a TD makes it 44-21 in the 4th, goes for 2-point conversion
ESPN’s Andre Ware: “USF went for 2, because they can’t go for 3” 💀— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) November 2, 2024
After the game had long been decided USF coach Alex Golesh reinserted quarterback Bryce Archie into the game in the final minute.
Up 23, the starting quarterback completed a 10-yard pass for a first down.
Golesh wanted no part of FAU’s Tom Herman when the Owls coach came across the field for the postgame handshake. Herman extended his hand. Golesh shook it and kept walking.
Herman decided he didn’t like the brushoff and went after Golesh.
AAC on a Friday night!! Tom Herman and Alex Golesh post game handshake. pic.twitter.com/v1FCMLGXqY
— Pat Smith (@patsmithradio) November 2, 2024
The issue between the coaches has been simmering since last season when FAU pummeled South Florida 56-14.
The Owls outscored the Bulls 35-0 in the second half of that game, including two TDs and a successful onside kick in the fourth quarter.
AAC on a Friday night!! Tom Herman and Alex Golesh post game handshake. pic.twitter.com/v1FCMLGXqY
— Pat Smith (@patsmithradio) November 2, 2024
After the Owls scored late in the fourth quarter, they rubbed the Bulls’ noses in their misery by executing a successful onside kick.
On that day, USF coach Alex Golesh was more concerned about his defense than that play.
“It is what it is. I’m cool. We’ll get ours at some point,” he said.
“When you lose to somebody like last year, you want to go back and beat them this year,” USF receiver Sean Atkins said this week. “So I feel like, in a sense, it is a rivalry just because of that.”