USF, Old Dominion set to meet Wednesday in Cure Bowl

ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of South Florida will face Old Dominion Wednesday in Orlando in the StaffDNA Cure Bowl.

Kickoff is at 5 p.m., and the game will be televised on ESPN.

USF (9-3; 6-2 American) will look to capture a third consecutive bowl win for just the second time in program history when it takes on Old Dominion (9-3; 6-2 Sun Belt).

The Bulls also seek to post a 10-win season for just the third time in program history and the first since going 10-2 in 2017.

Interim USF Coach Kevin Patrick, leading the team until new coach Brian Hartline and Ohio State finish their playoff run, said the Bulls remain focused heading into their bowl game.

“We’re working hard and our players are really excited to be playing in this bowl game,’’ said Patrick to gousfbulls.com. “All of these guys — particularly the 30 seniors that we have — have so much pride and love for this program. For a lot of them, it will most likely be their last time going on the field of battle. The heart and soul they’ve poured into this program, the love they have for each other and the respect they have for this game, I don’t think I’ve seen it to that level in the long coaching career I’ve had. I can’t commend these guys enough.’’

USF’s Byrum Brown will not play in the game, meaning sixth-year quarterback Gaston Moore will get the starting nod. The Bulls’ offense enters the postseason ranked No. 2 nationally, posting 501.7 yards per game and No. 4 in scoring at 43 points per game. The Bulls posted a program-record five games scoring 50 points or more in the regular season and seven scoring 48 or more.

Meanwhile, the Monarchs won their final five games to close out the regular season and received votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll. They bring the No. 7-ranked rushing offense (236.9 ypg), No. 16-ranked total offense (460.8 ypg) and No. 20-ranked scoring defense (19.3 ppg) into the Cure Bowl.

The game will mark USF’s first meeting against ODU.