TAMPA, Fla. — South Florida’s American Athletic Conference home opener against Temple is set for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, Oct. 3, the conference office announced Monday. The game will be televised nationally on ESPNU, giving the Bulls another prime-time showcase at Raymond James Stadium.
Primetime returns to Raymond James
The Bulls (3-0 overall, 1-0 American) will host Temple in what will be the third time this season they open at home in primetime. South Florida has been unbeaten so far at Raymond James Stadium this season, with home victories over FIU (19-9) and Delaware State (59-17).
South Florida and Temple will meet for the 11th time in series history. The Owls hold a 6-4 edge in the overall series, but the Bulls have won four of the five meetings played in Tampa, including the most recent encounter in 2023.
Local impact and momentum
Fans in Tampa will see a Bulls squad that opened the season with consecutive wins at home and earned an early conference victory. The primetime slot and national telecast provide broader exposure for the program as it continues its resurgence after recent successful seasons.
For supporters planning to attend, the athletics department reiterated ticketing and access options. Season and single-game tickets are available through the Bulls ticket office by phone at 1-800-GO-BULLS (1-800-462-8557) or by email at BullsTickets@usf.edu. Tickets and parking can also be purchased via the South Florida Bulls mobile app or at USFBullsTix.com.
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Television: ESPNU (national)
- Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
Program trajectory and facilities
South Florida is entering its 30th season in 2026; the program first took the field in 1997. The Bulls enjoyed a 9-4 campaign in 2025, marking the program’s third straight bowl appearance and its first showing in the College Football Playoff rankings. The team also earned Associated Press Top 25 poll recognition four times last season.
Facility investments remain a focal point for the program. South Florida completed a new $22 million Indoor Performance Facility in 2023, and construction is currently underway on an on-campus stadium and football operations center, which are slated for completion by 2027. Those projects aim to bolster recruiting, training and game-day experience for players and fans.
Series history and what’s next
This matchup will be the 11th meeting between South Florida and Temple. Although Temple leads the overall series, the Bulls have dominated in Tampa, winning four of the last five games on home turf. The most recent home victory against the Owls came in 2023.
After the Temple game, South Florida will travel to Bowling Green next Saturday for a 5 p.m. kickoff. That game will mark the first of a string of road tests for the Bulls as they aim to maintain momentum in American Athletic Conference play.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| USF 2026 record (entering Temple) | 3-0 overall, 1-0 American |
| Home wins this season | FIU (19-9), Delaware State (59-17) |
| Television | ESPNU (national) |
How to follow
Fans can keep up with team news, rosters and game updates at GoUSFBulls.com and through the program’s social channels on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn and YouTube. The athletics department encourages fans to download the South Florida Bulls app for tickets and stadium information.
The program’s recent success on the field and ongoing investments in facilities have raised expectations for the 2026 season. With a nationally televised primetime home game against Temple, the Bulls will have another opportunity to showcase that progress to a regional and national audience.
Coverage for this story was reported from South Florida Athletics announcements and game schedules.
