South Florida football erased a 24-14 fourth-quarter deficit with 14 unanswered points over the final 4:59 to defeat Army West Point 28-24 on Sept. 12, 2026, at Michie Stadium. Michael Van Buren Jr. threw the go-ahead touchdown, a 38-yard pass to Joshua Porter with 19 seconds remaining. The victory moved South Florida to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in American Conference play.
Van Buren accounted for all four South Florida touchdowns, throwing two and rushing for two more. He completed 19 of 30 passes for 239 yards and rushed for 45 yards on five carries without a turnover. South Florida outgained Army West Point 369-347 and did not commit a turnover.
South Florida finishes comeback late
Army West Point took a 24-14 lead with five minutes remaining after a nine-play, 90-yard drive. South Florida answered with a six-play, 75-yard possession that ended when Van Buren scored on a 24-yard scramble, cutting the deficit to 24-21 with 3:13 left. The drive took 1:47.
Army West Point recovered South Florida’s onside kick attempt, but Zavier Hamilton recorded the first sack of his career on third-and-9 to help force a punt. An unnecessary roughness penalty on the ensuing punt gave South Florida possession at its own 19. Van Buren then moved the offense into position with completions to Porter, Arhmad Branch and Wyatt Sullivan.
South Florida kept its offense on the field on fourth-and-6 near the Army West Point 38 after using a timeout. Van Buren connected with Porter for the go-ahead touchdown, putting South Florida ahead 28-24 after the extra point. Porter finished with three catches for 67 yards.
Army West Point reached the South Florida 48 on its final possession. Zach Mundell’s backward pass was tipped by Mike Williams, and Herlin Perry Jr. recovered the resulting fumble to secure the victory. Army West Point fell to 1-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
Van Buren leads South Florida offense
Bryson Rodgers led South Florida with six catches for 64 yards and a touchdown. Van Buren’s two rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns accounted for all of South Florida’s scoring. South Florida started 2-0 for the second consecutive season.
The game marked South Florida’s first trip to West Point since 2003 and its first meeting with Army West Point as members of the American Conference. South Florida also earned its first conference win of the season. The victory came in South Florida’s first conference game against Army West Point as American Conference members.
Next game
South Florida returns to Raymond James Stadium on Sept. 19 to face Delaware State at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and available on Q105FM and Bulls Unlimited digital radio. It is the next game on South Florida’s schedule.
Source: Original report