DALLAS (FWAA) – South Florida claimed its second straight win over a Top 25 opponent Saturday, as Nico Gramatica’s 20-yard walk-off field goal stunned then-No. 13 Florida, 18-16. With ranked wins in back-to-back weeks for the first time in program history, the Bulls (2-0) are the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Team of the Week for games played the weekend of Sept. 6, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America’s All-America Committee.
The award is South Florida’s fourth FWAA honor all-time and its first since a 17-7 victory at Florida State in 2009. The Bulls, who opened this season with a 34-7 rout of then-No. 25 Boise State on Aug. 29, have now defeated multiple ranked opponents in the same season just three times, including during that ’09 campaign.
For the second straight trip to Gainesville, South Florida found itself in a one-score game in the fourth quarter. The Bulls allowed Florida inside its 20 yard line just three times – forcing field goals in each of the first two trips while overall snagging an interception and recording a safety. Two of Florida’s four punts came on the Gators’ final two drives while it clung to a 16-15 lead. USF forced a three-and-out on the final possession to get the ball back with 2:52 to play.
Quarterback Byrum Brown led an eight-play, 87-yard drive that started at the USF 11 to put Gramatica in position for the game-winning kick as time expired. Two Florida penalties – pass interference and a personal foul – got the Bulls moving to the 39. Brown hit running back Alvon Isaac for a 29-yard gain to the UF 32. Brown engineered two more first downs to Gators’ 2-yard line, setting up Gramatica's 20-yard field goal, one of his three in the game. Gramatica opened USF’s scoring with a 38-yard field goal early in the second quarter and walked-off the first half with a 25-yard field goal to bring USF to within 9-6 at halftime.
South Florida has a chance to win three in a row over ranked teams when it plays at No. 5 Miami at 4:30 p.m. Saturday in a game broadcast by The CW.
The Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Team of the Week celebrates the squads whose performances captivated the country. Whether it’s a statement win, a Cinderella upset or just an all-around dominant showing, this national team of the week honor — an FWAA tradition for 24 seasons — shines a spotlight on the best overall performances in college football.
Coming into the 2025 season, 286 teams have been honored, including 103 different Division I programs. This season, with Pop-Tarts as the title sponsor, each honored team will receive a custom Pop-Tarts "care package" along with a hand-crafted game ball made in America by Dallas-based Big Game USA, the nation's leading manufacturer of custom footballs.
Other National Team of the Week nominees for the weekend of Sept. 6 included:
- Mississippi State (2-0): The Bulldogs captured their highest ranked win under head coach Jeff Lebby as they took down 12th-ranked Arizona State 24-20 in a dramatic Saturday night home thriller. After building a 17-0 lead in the first half, State fell behind 20-17 in the fourth quarter. MSU quarterback Blake Shapen then connected with receiver Brenen Thompson on a 58-yard touchdown strike with 30 seconds remaining for the winning points. Safety Hunter Washington then iced the game for MSU with an interception on the first play of Arizona State's ensuing drive.
- Ohio (1-1): The Bobcats beat West Virginia 17-10 in front of a record-setting 26,740 fans. In a strong defensive performance, Ohio held WVU to 72 rushing yards and 250 total yards. Wide receiver Chase Hendricks stood out with 121 receiving yards and a touchdown on eight receptions. The Bobcats rushed for 182 yards, including 87 from graduate quarterback Parker Navarro.
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Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,100 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com.