College Football
The Bullpen Report (Season 1; Week 2): USF Men’s Soccer Opens With First Win, Volleyball Set for Season Debut, Van Buren Jr. Named QB1
Welcome to another edition of the University of South Florida (USF) weekly update, The Bullpen Report. Since our last update, several USF athletic teams have begun regular-season play, with the USF men’s and women’s soccer teams, along with USF volleyball, kicking off their 2026 campaigns.
Meanwhile, USF football’s fall camp continues as the dog days of the preseason begin to wind down ahead of the Bulls’ home and season opener against FIU on Saturday, September 5, at 7 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+.
First Win for Returning Coach Kiefer
After a pair of exhibition contests on the road, USF men’s soccer returned home to take on Winthrop in the Bulls’ season opener. South Florida surrendered two unanswered goals in the second half, putting Winthrop ahead 2-0. However, Jakob Auby found the back of the net off an assist from Tyler Richardson late in the match to pull the Bulls within one, but USF ultimately fell to Winthrop, 2-1.
In Game 2, the Bulls welcomed West Florida for the programs’ first meeting. USF struck twice in the first half, with Dominic Wilson and Pedro Faife finding the back of the net to give the Bulls a 2-0 advantage. Matheo Baccera added to the lead in the opening seconds of the second half, giving South Florida three unanswered goals and ultimately securing the Bulls’ first win of the season, 3-1.
The Bulls now get a quick break before returning to the pitch for the always-anticipated War on I-4 against UCF in Orlando on Friday, August 28, at 7 p.m. ET.
Looking for Win No. 1
USF women’s soccer has completed three matches to open its 2026 campaign, but the Bulls are still searching for their first victory of the season.
South Florida opened the season out west against Gonzaga, with the Zags claiming the contest, 5-1. The Bulls remained in the Pacific Northwest to face Washington State, but South Florida fell to the Cougars, 4-1.
On Sunday, the Bulls welcomed UCF for the women’s soccer edition of the War on I-4. However, the Knights shut out South Florida, 2-0.
The Bulls return to action on Sunday, August 30, when they travel to DeLand, Florida, to take on Stetson at 6 p.m. ET as the program continues its search for its first win of the season.
Bluegrass Ahead
USF volleyball opens its 2026 campaign this weekend when the Bulls travel to Lexington, Kentucky, for the Bluegrass Battle.
Following a trio of exhibition matches, including contests against Stetson and rival UCF, the Bulls officially begin the regular season against Eastern Kentucky on Friday, August 28, at 2 p.m. ET. USF will then take on event host Kentucky on Saturday, August 29, at 6 p.m. ET.
Van Buren Jr. Named QB1
Sources have indicated that Head Coach Brian Hartline and the University of South Florida football program have confirmed their starting quarterback to begin the 2026 season, with former LSU Tiger Michael Van Buren Jr. set to take over the QB1 role for Game No. 1 against Florida International on Saturday, September 5.
A Maryland native, Van Buren Jr. has started 12 games across 17 career appearances. He finished the 2025 season with the Bayou Bengals with more than 1,000 passing yards and eight touchdowns.
Upon arriving at USF, Van Buren Jr. battled fellow SEC transfer Luke Kromenhoek for the starting job, with both quarterbacks entering camp with hopes of taking over under center following the successful run of now-Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown.
The announcement provides clarity for the remainder of fall camp and establishes who will lead the Bulls into the season opener.
Van Buren Jr.’s first start will come against FIU when the Panthers visit Tampa on Saturday, September 5. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and will air live on ESPN+.
The opener will begin USF’s 30th football season and the program’s final campaign at Raymond James Stadium, with the Bulls’ new on-campus stadium currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2027.
See You in Week 0
Last week, CEO of Athletics Rob Higgins provided several updates regarding USF’s future athletic plans for this season and beyond. One of the major updates centered on the progress of the Bulls’ on-campus stadium, which Higgins said remains ahead of schedule.
Higgins also revealed that next season’s road contest against Northern Illinois will be moved to Week 0, providing a precursor to the Bulls’ new-stadium debut the following week against former Big East foe Louisville.
The last time USF played in Week 0 was in 2017, when the Bulls traveled west to face San Jose State in their season opener.
South Florida went on to win that contest, 42-22, under then-head coach Charlie Strong and quarterback Quinton Flowers, one of the best quarterbacks in program history.
