Following a 7-6 regular season in 2024, USF ventured to Hawaii.
In the wake of a 9-3 season in 2025, it’s barely leaving Hillsborough County.
The school confirmed early Friday morning that the Bulls will face Sun Belt Conference East Division runner-up Old Dominion (9-3) in the Cure Bowl on Dec. 17 at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium.
The 5 p.m. game will be televised by ESPN.
“The Cure Bowl supports a tremendous cause (cancer research) that we are excited to champion, and we look forward to our Bulls taking on a very talented Old Dominion team on Dec. 17,” Bulls CEO of USF Athletics Rob Higgins said in a statement released by USF.
“It’s a short drive for Bulls Nation to Camping World Stadium, and I look forward to a great turnout in Green and Gold as we pursue a third straight bowl win for just the second time in program history.”
Nonetheless, the bowl game figures to be hard sell for Bulls fans, whose team seemed destined for a more attractive venue after a season in which it stunned 2024 College Football Playoff qualifier Boise State in its opener, defeated Florida in Gainesville and trounced American Conference title contender North Texas on the road.
Though a return trip to the Hawaii Bowl seemed highly unlikely for USF, the American’s other direct bowl tie-ins include the Fenway Bowl in Boston (Dec. 27) and Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas (Jan. 2). The league also gets bowl selections from the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque (Dec. 27) and Myrtle Beach Bowl in Conway, South Carolina (Dec. 19).
Interim USF coach Kevin Patrick will coach USF in the bowl game. New coach Brian Hartline, set to be formally introduced to the fan base on Monday, is set to continue serving as Ohio State offensive coordinator during the Buckeyes’ playoff run.
“We are excited to go and finish this season strong against a very good Old Dominion team in the Cure Bowl,” Patrick said. “Our guys are preparing for the opportunity to post a third straight bowl win and to compete for a 10th win on the year, something that has only been accomplished here two other times.”
Contact Joey Knight at jknight@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Bulls
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