South Florida vs. San Jose State highlights: Hawaii Bowl goes five overtimes
South Florida had a holly jolly Hawaii Bowl.
And it took five overtimes for the Bulls to collect their Christmas Eve present.
South Florida prevailed, 41-39, over San Jose State in the Hawaii Bowl in Honolulu. The decisive play in the fifth overtime was a pass from quarterback Bryce Archie to receiver Keshaun Singleton.
The Bulls have won bowl games in consecutive seasons, having also won the 2023 Boca Raton Bowl over Syracuse. For San Jose State it was coal in the Christmas stocking, as it was dealt a fourth consecutive bowl game defeat.
South Florida nearly let the game slip away in the second half. After building a 21-10 halftime lead, San Jose State stormed back into the game and took a 27-24 lead in the fourth quarter on a Lamar Radcliffe touchdown run that followed a Noah McNeal-Franklin interception.
But the Claus-tastrophic development didn't discourage the Bulls, who managed to force overtime in the final seconds of regulation. It then took five overtimes to decide the winner at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex as the clock ticked well past midnight and into Christmas Day back in Florida.
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South Florida vs. San Jose State Hawaii Bowl highlights
South Florida 41, San Jose State 39: Bulls win Hawaii Bowl
Five golden overtimes!
South Florida converted their two-point try, and then prevented San Jose State from completing its pass attempt to tie it.
San Jose State 39, South Florida 39: Fa-la-la-ing to fourth overtime
A pass interference penalty on South Florida gave San Jose State a second chance to tie it up, which they did.
San Jose State 37, South Florida 37: All tied up after two overtimes
Kickers Kyler Halvorsen and John Cannon exchanged field goals in the second overtime to force a third overtime.
If a game remains tied after two overtimes, two-point conversion attempts will determine the winner.
San Jose State 34, South Florida 34: Spartans force a second overtime
Just in the St. Nick of time!
San Jose State converted two fourth-down situations to push the Hawaii Bowl to a second overtime. On fourth-and-goal from the South Florida 4-yard line, SJSU quarterback Walker Eget connected with receiver Matthew Coleman for a touchdown.
Coleman has a game-high 12 receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown for San Jose State.
South Florida 34, San Jose State 27: Bulls open overtime with quick touchdown
Bryce Archie and Payten Singletary connected for a 23-yard gain on the opening play of overtime, and Ta'Ron Keith ran it in from the 2-yard line to quickly put the Bulls up in the first overtime.
San Jose State 27, South Florida 27: John Cannon doinks in tying field goal
Yule be fit to be tied!
South Florida and San Jose State are going to jingle all the way (to overtime) after Bulls kicker John Cannon connected on a 41-yard field goal attempt with two seconds remaining to tie up the game and gift fans with more Christmas Eve football.
After getting the ball back with 42 seconds remaining at the 50-yard line, the South Florida offense gained 27 yards in seven plays to put Cannon in position for the tying kick.
San Jose State 27, South Florida 24: INT sets up go-ahead touchdown
There's Noel time like the present for a timely interception!
As far as South Florida is concerned, San Jose State's Noah McNeal-Franklin is on the naughty list. After making a key sack to force a field goal on South Florida's last drive, the linebacker picked off Bulls quarterback Bryce Archie to set up the Spartans for a go-ahead score.
Running back Lamar Radcliffe punched it in from 2 yards out as SJSU took its first lead of the Hawaii Bowl. This was a real Claus for celebration for Spartans fans.
South Florida 24, San Jose State 20: Bulls add field goal
Trying to put a wrap on the Spartans' rally, the Bulls ended the scoring run and tacked on a field goal to add to their lead.
John Cannon's 33-yard field goal capped a 15-play, 60-yard drive for South Florida. A sack by San Jose State's Noah McNeal-Franklin on USF quarterback Bryce Archie on a third-and-4 play from the Spartans' 6-yard line halted the promising drive for the Bulls.
There are 13 minutes left to play on Christmas Eve in Honolulu.
South Florida 21, San Jose State 20: Walker Eget connects with Jackson Canaan for TD
Time to spruce things up a bit!
San Jose State has scored 13 unanswered points to get within a point of South Florida and bring festive drama to the Hawaii Bowl.
Quarterback Walker Eget connected with tight end Jackson Canaan for a 5-yard touchdown pass to cap a six-play, 85-yard drive. The big play being a 23-yard pass play from Eget to wide receiver Matthew Coleman. A 15-yard pass interference penalty on South Florida also helped further the Spartan advance.
South Florida 21, San Jose State 13: Spartans tack on another field goal
San Jose State's first drive of the second half ended like its last drive of the first half … with a field goal from kicker Kyler Halvorsen.
Halvorsen's 22-yard field goal capped an 11-play, 77-yard scoring drive, which came after the Spartans defense held South Florida to a three-and-out after intermission.
Halftime: South Florida 21, San Jose State 10
If you look at the stats for this game, you'd probably think this was a close game, but with 30 minutes to go, the Bulls hold a two-possession lead. San Jose State's downfall has been their turnovers. They've had two, including a fumble at the goal line that would've given San Jose State an early 7-0 lead.
South Florida QB Bryce Archie has yet to throw an incomplete pass, but San Jose State has scored on each of their last two possessions. If not for a 93-yard kickoff return TD at the end of the first half, this score might be much closer than it is right now. The Spartans were at least able to get some points back thanks a field goal with :02 left on the clock.
Throughout the 2024 season, San Jose State has struggled in the second half of games, so if that trend continues here, the Spartans could be in for a rough finish.
South Florida 21, San Jose State 7: South Florida fake reverse kickoff return TD
Well, just like that, the Bulls have regained their two-touchdown lead. Special teams came up big for South Florida as a fake reverse on the kickoff following Chalk's touchdown fooled the San Jose State coverage team and gave return man Ta'Ron Keith a 93-yard touchdown.
South Florida 14, San Jose State 7: Spartans answer back, Chalk scores
Moving the ball hasn't been an issue for San Jose State. They've got more yards than South Florida, but ball their lack of ball security has been the biggest advantage for South Florida. Finally, late in the second quarter, the Spartans put together a full drive, capped off by a short touchdown run for Floyd Chalk IV.
With just over two minutes to go in the first half, South Florida leads by a touchdown.
South Florida 14, San Jose State 0: South Florida converts turnover into points
The Spartans had an opportunity to tie this game up, but after quarterback Walker Eget had a pass tipped and picked off by USF Tavin Ward, the Spartans' chance for a tie turned into great field positioning for the Bulls.
It only took five plays for the Bulls to record their second touchdown of the day, a four-yard touchdown run for Kelley Joiner.
End of 1st Quarter: South Florida 7, San Jose State 0
After 15 minutes of play, the Bulls lead the Spartans 7-0. Both teams got off to slow starts on offense, but it picked up quickly. While both teams put together solid drives in the quarter, only the Bulls capitalized. The Spartans had a great opportunity but an end zone fumble kept the Spartans off the scoreboard.
The Spartans have the ball and are driving to start the second quarter. South Florida quarterback Bryce Archie has completed 8-of-8 passes to kick this game off.
South Florida 7, San Jose State 0: Bulls get on the board first in Hawaii
Following the bomb to Atkins, the Bulls wasted very little time punching the ball in for the score. Nay'Quan Wright earned his eighth touchdown of the season, putting the Bulls up 7-0 in the first.
San Jose State fumbles at the goal line
It's been slow on offense to start this game, but the Spartans had an opportunity to take an early lead with TreyShon Hurry reaching for the pylon. Unfortunately, the Spartan lost control of the ball, and ruled a fumble out of the end zone, which gave possession to South Florida.
The Bulls have answered back tremendously, putting together their best drive of the day, helped by a 42-yard pass from Bryce Archie to Sean Atkins.
When is the Hawaii Bowl between USF and San Jose State?
The Hawaii Bowl game between the South Florida Bulls and the San Jose State Spartans kicks off at 8 p.m. ET at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu.
How to watch USF and San Jose State in the Hawaii Bowl
The Hawaii Bowl game between the South Florida Bulls and the San Jose State Spartans will be televised nationally on ESPN.
Live streaming is available on Fubo, which has a free trial.
Are there bowl games on Christmas?
There are no bowl games on Christmas Day. Games will resume on December 26, with three contests, including Pitt vs. Toledo in the GameAbove Sports Bowl, Rutgers vs. Kansas State in the Rate Bowl, and Arkansas State vs. Bowling Green in the 68 Ventures Bowl.
San Jose State's last 5 bowl games:
- 2023: Hawaii Bowl vs. Coastal Carolina - L, 24-14
- 2022: Famous Idaho Potato Bowl vs. Eastern Michigan - L, 41-27
- 2020: Arizona Bowl vs. Ball State - L, 34-13
- 2015: Orlando Citrus Bowl vs. Georgia State - W, 27-16
- 2012: Military Bowl vs. Bowling Green - W, 29-20
South Florida's last 5 bowl games:
- 2023: Boca Raton Bowl vs. Syracuse - W, 45-0
- 2018: Gasparilla Bowl vs. Marshall - L, 38-20
- 2017: Birmingham Bowl vs. Texas Tech - W, 38-34
- 2016: Birmingham Bowl vs. South Carolina - W, 46-39
- 2015: Miami Beach Bowl vs. Western Kentucky - L, 45-35
South Florida vs. San Jose State: Hawaii Bowl predictions
Paste BN: Spartans a slight favorite
- Scooby Axon: San Jose State
- Jordan Mendoza: San Jose State
- Paul Myerberg: South Florida
- Erick Smith: South Florida
- Eddie Timanus: San Jose State
- Dan Wolken: San Jose State
Adam Burke, VSiN: San Jose State (-3.5)
Burke writes, "I think both teams will be sufficiently motivated here, so I don’t think we have to worry about mindset or psychology. All we have to worry about is whether or not (quarterback Byrum) Brown plays (for South Florida) and hopefully we know with some lead time. Tentatively, I’ll sway to the San Jose State side for having the better defense and Brown being rusty, if he plays."
Cameron Zunkel, ClutchPoints: South Florida to win
Zunkel wins, "This could end up being a good game. San Jose State is without (wide receiver) Nick Nash and a few other players, so it is going to be harder for them to score. Because Nash is out, I will take South Florida to win straight up."
South Florida vs. San Jose State: Hawaii Bowl odds
The San Jose State Spartans are favorites to defeat the South Florida Bulls, according to BetMGM.
Odds as of Tuesday, Dec. 24
- Spread: San Jose State (-1.5)
- Moneyline: San Jose State (-120); South Florida (+100)
- Over/under: 66.5
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