USF overcomes lifeless start, stays undefeated with 14-6 win over Bowling Green

D.J. Crowther ran for 143 yards and a touchdown as South Florida overcame a lifeless three quarters to beat Bowling Green 14-6 on Saturday.

The Bulls, who trailed 6-0 as the fourth quarter began, remained undefeated through four games under first-year coach Brian Hartline.

USF’s first two drives of the second half resulted in 22 yards of offense in 11 plays. The next two went 13 plays for 116 yards and 14 points.

USF went in front, 7-6, on a 2-yard sprint around right end by backup quarterback Luke Kromenhoek 2:43 into the fourth quarter. Crowther accounted for 31 of those yards on four carries.

The six-play, 44-yard drive was set up when Asani Redwood stopped Austyn Dendy for a 1-yard loss on fourth-and-5 from their own 45 as the fourth quarter began.

Until then, it was up to South Florida’s defense to keep the score close through three quarters against Bowling Green, which came into the game with one of the lowest-scoring offenses in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (9 points per game).

Crowther scored from a yard out with 5:43 left in the game. It finished USF’s best drive of the game – six plays and 72 yards, with Crowther carrying for 41 yards.

On the next series, Bowling Green (0-4) went 66 yards on 11 plays, but Jay Kastantin’s pass to Winn Sharp came up short on fourth-and-16 at the USF 30 with 37 seconds remaining.

The Bulls could not have played worse in the first half, with two fumbles by Van Buren setting up short fields for the Falcons. Yet, Bowling Green could manage only field goals of 28 and 43 yards by Travis Kenner.

Van Buren passed for only 8 yards, completing two of five. The closest the Bulls came to scoring was on the half’s final play, a 30-yard scramble by Van Buren that left one second on clock. But Nico Gramatica’s floated wide left.

Van Buren, who was sacked six times, finished 7-for-11 for 52 yards.

The Falcons’ offensive was only slightly better, with Kastantin going 3-for-5 for 11 yards. He finished the game 16-for-28 for 122 yards.

Myles Bradley accounted for 4.5 of the Falcons' six sacks of Van Buren.

Both teams were led by former Ohio State and NFL players: Hartline for USF and Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George for Bowling Green.

An announced crowd of 22,265 attended the game at Doyt L. Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio.

South Florida hosts American Conference foe Temple this Saturday at Raymond James Stadium. Game time is 7:30 p.m.