The Bullpen Report (Season 1; Week 3): Bulls Open Football Season Under Hartline as Fall Sports Heat Up

Week 3 of The Bullpen Report is upon us, and there are plenty of things to catch up on around University of South Florida (USF) athletics. Men’s and Women’s Soccer continue their 2026 campaigns, while Volleyball, Men’s Golf and Cross Country opened their seasons during this recent stretch.

Tonight, the USF Football team takes to the field for its home opener at Raymond James Stadium, as the Bulls welcome in-state foe Florida International University (FIU) at 7 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+.

The Hartline Era Begins

The University of South Florida (USF) football team opens its 30th anniversary season tonight for the final home opener at Raymond James Stadium, when the Bulls welcome Florida International University (FIU) at 7 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+.

Tonight’s season-opening contest marks the start of the Brian Hartline era at South Florida, as the former Miami Dolphins wide receiver makes his head coaching debut for the school.

Furthermore, tonight’s game sees LSU transfer Michael Van Buren Jr. lead the Bulls into battle against the Panthers, after the program announced the junior quarterback would be the starter to open the season.

This year, the Bulls enter as a true contender in The American and a sleeper to make the College Football Playoff. With a favorable non-conference schedule and only a few heavy hitters coming in the American Conference slate, South Florida has an opportunity to have a successful year one under Hartline.

For FIU, after coming off a 7-6 season that included a bowl appearance against American Conference foe UTSA, the Panthers enter year two under former USF head coaching candidate and FAMU Head Coach Willie Simmons.

Simmons, along with Appalachian State transfer JJ Kohl, will look to head into Tampa and continue to grow their program following a positive year one.

With both teams entering new territory this weekend, there are many unknowns going into Week 1. For South Florida, as long as the team can keep things clean through all four quarters and overmatch FIU, the Bulls will be looking toward another 1-0 start here in 2026.

Looking to Bounce Back

After claiming the season-opening win against West Florida on Sunday, August 23, 3-1, the Bulls have been shut out in their last two in-state showdowns against UCF last Friday, August 28, 2-0, and North Florida this past Tuesday, 1-0.

The Bulls return home tomorrow to take on UTRGV before diving into American Conference play next Friday, September 11, against UAB in Birmingham.

Both games will start at 7 p.m. ET and are live on ESPN+.

Building Momentum

After a tough West Coast swing, the Bulls women’s soccer squad claimed their first win last Sunday, defeating Stetson in DeLand, 3-0, led by a two-goal performance from forward Sophia Cabral.

The Bulls returned home for a major home duel against No. 5-ranked Wake Forest, but weren’t able to continue their momentum, dropping the game, 3-0.

The team stays at home tomorrow afternoon for a Sunday matinee contest against Youngstown State at 1 p.m. ET, before returning to the pitch later in the week against Mercer on Thursday, September 10, at 7 p.m. ET.

Both games can be seen live on ESPN+.

Early Tests on the Court

The USF Volleyball team opened its 2026 campaign last week with the first of three early-season invitationals, the Bluegrass Battle.

The Bulls dropped the first two matches of the weekend, falling to Eastern Kentucky on Friday, August 28, 3-2, while Kentucky swept the Bulls, 3-0, on Saturday, August 29. South Florida would finish the weekend on a positive note, claiming its first win of the season on Sunday, August 30, with a 3-0 sweep of Utah State.

However, the Bulls fell to Stanford on Thursday, September 3, 3-1, in the team’s lone West Coast trip.

Today, the Volleyball team returns to the floor to take on Marquette at 4 p.m. ET before returning to Tampa to host the South Florida Invitational next weekend.

The Bulls will face No. 18 TCU on Thursday, September 10, at 6 p.m. ET, Dayton on Friday, September 11, at 6 p.m. ET, and Michigan on Saturday, September 12, at 6 p.m. ET.

All games can be watched live on ESPN+.

Back on the Links

USF Men’s Golf opened its fall season earlier this week, placing sixth in the Rutgers-hosted New York Harbour Cup.

The Bulls’ top finisher, Wilhelm Ryding, had three consistent rounds, shooting under par in Rounds 1 and 2 before finishing even in Round 3.

The Bulls Men’s Golf team returns to the course when they compete in the FAU Invitational at The Bears Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., September 21-22.

Off and Running

The Bulls’ Cross Country teams opened their fall campaigns with the Florida Intercollegiate XC Invitational, hosted by North Florida. The USF women’s team placed ninth, while the men’s team finished 11th in their respective events.

USF’s top finisher on the women’s side was Malia Hambrick, who posted an 18:38.77, while Tyler Dillon recorded the best time for the men with a 16:14.39.

The Bulls return to action on Friday, September 18, competing in the FSU Pre-Regional, beginning at 7:40 a.m. ET at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee.

Dylan Spaulding

Dylan Spaulding was born in Tampa, FL, and is the beat writer for the Toronto Blue Jays on Legends OnDeck. Dylan has worked for multiple outlets including Sports Illustrated, Athlon Sports and FanSided. Outside of baseball coverage, Dylan covers auto racing for his site, Auto Racing Digest.