TAMPA, Fla. — Kicker Nico Gramatica tied a career high with four field goals on Saturday night, leading South Florida to a 19-9 victory over FIU at Raymond James Stadium to open head coach Brian Hartline’s tenure.
Playing in front of 41,847 fans — the program’s largest home-opening crowd since 2021 — Hartline became the fifth head coach in Bulls history to win his debut. The victory also extended USF’s home winning streak to eight games as the team took the field with 62 new players and 19 new starters.
Quarterback Michael Van Buren completed 11 of 18 passes for 100 yards and ran for seven yards in his first start, guiding an offense that did not commit a turnover. He became the 12th quarterback in program history to win his debut start…