In a dramatic Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium, the South Florida Bulls erased a 10‑point hole against UAB and finished with a 30‑10 victory, thanks largely to a dominant performance by defensive end C.J. Hicks.
Hicks’ game‑changing plays
Hicks tallied four sacks, tying the school’s single‑game record, and forced two fumbles that directly resulted in touchdowns. The first came in the second quarter when he stripped the ball deep in UAB territory; teammate Asani Redwood recovered and ran it in for six yards. The second forced fumble occurred in the fourth quarter, a blind‑side strip‑sack that linebacker Grayson Howard returned 13 yards for a score.
Those two defensive touchdowns anchored a 30‑0 run that sealed the game for the Bulls. Coach Brian Hartline praised Hicks, noting, “Four sacks, tie program record, two fumbles, of course, that resulted in touchdowns, obviously, had an impact.”
Team effort on the line
While Hicks led the charge, the entire defense stepped up. South Florida logged six sacks and 11 tackles for loss, limiting UAB to just 177 total yards and a paltry 0.5 yards per carry on the ground. The collective effort forced UAB into a one‑dimensional offense and kept the Bulls in striking distance until Hicks’ big plays turned the tide.
Implications for the season
The win improves South Florida’s record to 6‑2 overall and 2‑2 in the American Athletic Conference, securing bowl eligibility for the fourth straight year. The Bulls will travel to Greenville next Friday to face East Carolina at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2, hoping to carry the defensive momentum forward.
Recognition
Hicks’ performance earned him American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors, highlighting his impact on the field and his role in the Bulls’ resurgence.
Fans and alumni praised the defensive showcase, noting that the game exemplified the grit and determination that the program strives to embody each season.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
