TAMPA — C.J. Hicks tied South Florida’s single-game record with four sacks Saturday, and two of them turned directly into touchdowns. The Bulls scored 30 unanswered points to beat UAB 30–10 at Raymond James Stadium and clinch bowl eligibility for the fourth consecutive season.
The Blazers scored on their first two drives and led 10–0 after one quarter. When starting quarterback Michael Van Buren left with an injury, Luke Kromenhoek took over and helped get the Bulls moving. His 42-yard run on his first drive set up a Nico Gramatica field goal. Jason Collins Jr. tied it on a six-yard run with 47 seconds left in the first half.
Ten seconds later, the Bulls were ahead. Hicks knocked the ball loose from UAB quarterback Ryder Burton, and Asani Redwood returned it six yards for a touchdown. Hicks forced another Burton fumble in the fourth quarter, and Grayson Howard took that one 13 yards to the end zone for a 27–10 lead. Gramatica added his third field goal to close the scoring.
Kromenhoek rushed for a career-high 92 yards. South Florida outrushed UAB 191–17, finished with six sacks and held the Blazers scoreless after the first quarter. Hicks joined George Selvie and Shurron Pierson in the program record book.
The win lifted USF to 6–2 overall and 2–2 in the American Conference. The Bulls travel to East Carolina for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday, Nov. 6.
Photo from USF Athletics. Sources include the USF Athletics recap and official box score.
