USF Football vs. Delaware State: Game Day Guide, Kickoff Time, TV and What to Watch
Kickoff Info
USF returns home Saturday night when the Bulls host Delaware State on Saturday, September 19 at 7 p.m. ET. The game will be played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa and will air on ESPN+, with radio coverage on Q105FM/Bulls Unlimited.
The Bulls enter the game 2-0 after opening the season with wins over FIU and Army. Delaware State is 2-1 after wins over Stony Brook and Bowie State, with a loss at William & Mary.
Saturday is USF's first home game since the season opener against FIU.
Tickets
USF Event (vcal_14350-gousfbulls.com)
Weather
Tampa is expected to be warm and humid around kickoff Saturday, with temperatures around 80 degrees at 7 p.m. The forecast calls for scattered thunderstorms and a chance of rain during the evening.
Fans heading to Raymond James Stadium should check the forecast before leaving for the game, as the rain chances could change throughout the day.
Coaches Thoughts
Brian Hartline said the focus this week has been on keeping the same preparation and approach that the Bulls have used through the first two games.
"We're trying to go 1-0 every week," Hartline said.
Hartline also pointed to Delaware State's turnaround under head coach DeSean Jackson, who is in his second season leading the Hornets. Delaware State went 8-4 last season and has opened 2026 with a 2-1 record.
"I know they're excited probably for this year too, and they're going to have a lot of athletes that do a lot of good things," Hartline said.
The USF coach said Delaware State's athleticism and effort stand out on film, but the Bulls are focused on their own preparation.
"It jumps off the screen how hard they play and how skillful they are," Hartline said. "They'll be well-coached and they'll have a good plan."
Hartline also stressed that USF is still early in the process of establishing its identity. The Bulls have not committed a turnover through their first two games and have been penalized just seven times.
USF's Offense
Michael Van Buren Jr. enters his third game as USF's starting quarterback after a strong performance at Army.
Van Buren completed 19 of 30 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns against the Black Knights. He also rushed for two touchdowns, accounting for all four USF touchdowns in the 28-24 comeback win.
Through two games, Van Buren has completed 30 of 48 passes for 339 yards and two touchdowns without an interception.
USF has scored 47 points through two games while averaging 288.5 yards of total offense per game. The Bulls have also converted 45.8 percent of their third-down attempts.
The Bulls have been particularly effective at protecting the football. USF has zero turnovers through the first two games and has gone 6-for-6 in the red zone.
USF's Defense
USF's defense enters the game after holding FIU to nine points before facing an Army offense that produced 347 total yards.
The Bulls allowed Army to rush for 219 yards but held the Black Knights to 24 points and came up with the stops needed late in the game to give the offense another possession.
Through two games, USF has allowed 364 yards per game and has forced two turnovers while giving the ball away zero times.
Delaware State has shown a balanced offense through its first three games. The Hornets have rushed for 653 yards and passed for 621 yards, averaging 424.7 total yards per game.
Key Matchups
USF defense vs. Delaware State's rushing attack: The Hornets have rushed for 224 yards in each of their first two wins, including three rushing touchdowns against Bowie State.
USF passing game vs. Delaware State's secondary: Van Buren has thrown for 339 yards through two games without an interception. Delaware State has allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 42 of 75 passes for 589 yards through three games.
Turnovers: USF has yet to turn the ball over this season and has forced two turnovers. Delaware State has committed three turnovers through three games while forcing four.
What to Watch For
The Bulls return home at 2-0 after a pair of very different wins.
USF opened the season with a 19-9 win over FIU before rallying from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Army 28-24 on the road. The Bulls now face a Delaware State team that enters Tampa at 2-1.
The Hornets have already shown they can produce offensively. Delaware State opened the season with a 41-34 win over Stony Brook, then lost 22-15 at William & Mary before defeating Bowie State 21-6. The Hornets have rushed for at least 224 yards in each of their two wins.
For USF, Saturday provides another opportunity to continue the progress of the first two weeks while handling a Delaware State team that has played three games already.
A few things to watch: Can USF continue protecting the football? Can the Bulls slow down Delaware State's rushing attack? And can Van Buren and the USF offense build on the production they showed at Army?
Getting There
Raymond James Stadium 4201 N Dale Mabry Highway Tampa, FL 33607
The game kicks off at 7 p.m. ET. Fans should allow extra time for stadium entry and traffic around the stadium, particularly with the evening kickoff.
Go Bulls.