USF Athletics

Interim head coach Michele Woods-Baxter says her 17 years of winning on Jose Fernandez's staff prepared her for the moment he decided to move on two weeks ago. USF opens the season Monday against FIU.

The Bulls dropped to 6-2 with the loss, in which they gave up a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter.

Fernandez, who spent 25 years leading the Bulls and made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, reportedly will be named head coach of the Dallas Wings. Michele Woods-Baxter will take over in the interim.

South Florida (6-1, 3-0) is the only Group of Five team in the poll. Tough conference games remain, but the Bulls essentially can earn an automatic bid in the College Football Playoff by winning out.

No. 19-ranked USF scored the final 27 points to turn a 21-13 lead into a blowout victory. It was the Bulls' sixth win, making them bowl-eligible. They also remain undefeated in the American Conference.

Louk has called more than 3,000 Bulls sports events on radio and television, including every football game, as well as men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, soccer and volleyball.

Of course, the first real CFP rankings aren't out for a few weeks, but an AP "mock" bracket gives the Bulls the automatic bid for a non-power conference team.

No. 24 South Florida came back to tie the game at 21 with 2 seconds before halftime, then scored three quick TDs after the break, two off turnovers by the previously undefeated Mean Green.

The Bulls have won two straight since a lopsided loss at Miami and is back in the top 25 after a one-month absence.

USF alum Rob Higgins, who successfully led the Tampa Bay Sports Commission for two decades, shows his passion and commitment in an introductory "celebration."

The Bulls' first-ever football coach will not attend the Oct. 2 event so other inductees can be honored "without distraction," according to new CEO of Athletics Rob Higgins.

Abdur-Rahim's words, "This ain't the same ol' South Florida, my brother," have become a rallying cry for the Bulls, who are ranked No. 18 going into Saturday's matchup against No. 5 Miami.