College football fans, if you’re fired up about UNT vs USF, Friday night’s American Athletic Conference clash at DATCU Stadium in Denton, Texas, delivered the kind of chaotic, turnover-fueled thriller that keeps you glued to the screen. On October 10, 2025, the South Florida Bulls (now 5-1, 2-0 AAC) roared back from an early deficit to dismantle the previously unbeaten North Texas Mean Green (5-1, 1-1 AAC) by a final score of 42-21.
It was a game defined by eight total turnovers—five from UNT—that sparked 21 points for the Bulls, turning what could have been a trap game into a statement win for USF’s budding playoff push. Kickoff hit at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2, and under the lights, Byrum Brown’s dual-threat magic (four total TDs) and a swarming Bulls defense stole the show, handing the Mean Green their first loss in a matchup that felt like a heavyweight bout gone wrong.
The Bulls entered this Week 7 showdown with sky-high hopes after monumental early-season upsets: a 34-7 smackdown of then-No. 25 Boise State and a gritty 18-16 nail-biter over then-No. 15 Florida. Those wins lit a fire under USF, a Group of 5 powerhouse eyeing the 12-team College Football Playoff, but they knew stacking AAC victories was non-negotiable.
North Texas, meanwhile, strutted in undefeated, fresh off a bye and a resume-boosting 45-38 overtime thriller against Army, plus a 36-22 bounce-back over South Alabama. The Mean Green boasted a balanced attack led by QB Drew Mestemaker, but their turnover woes (three picks alone) turned potential fireworks into fumbles galore. USF’s pre-game vibe? Electric—coach Alex Golesh called it “our biggest test yet,” and boy, did they pass with flying colors.
The action exploded from the jump. North Texas won the toss and deferred, but USF’s defense forced a quick three-and-out, setting the tone. Things got sloppy fast: Brown fumbled on a sack, gifting UNT a short field for Mestemaker’s 2-yard QB sneak and a 7-0 lead. Not to be outdone, USF’s Jhalyn Shuler picked off Mestemaker and returned it 31 yards, paving Brown’s 7-yard rushing score to knot it at 7-7. But UNT struck back with Makenzie McGill II’s electric 23-yard scamper, closing the first quarter at 14-7.
The second half? Pure Bulls dominance. Brown answered with a 14-yard dart to Jeremiah Koger for 14-14, only for Wyatt Young’s gritty 11-yard plunge on fourth-and-1 to push UNT ahead 21-14.
With under two minutes left in the half, magic happened: Jonas Duclona’s sideline pick gave USF life at their own 15, and after Miles Coleman’s muffed punt (another UNT giveaway), Brown capped a five-play drive with a 2-yard TD toss to Jonathan Echols—as time expired—to tie it 21-21 at the break. Halftime stats were a coin flip: 228 total yards apiece, 15 first downs for USF vs. 16 for UNT, and three turnovers each fueling seven points per side. The third quarter?
USF unleashed hell—Christian Neptune’s trick-play 29-yard strike to Keshaun Singleton for 28-21, followed by Fred Gaskin’s interception setting up Sam Franklin’s 11-yard TD run (35-21). Then came the dagger: Shuler’s 34-yard fumble return TD off Simeon Evans (after a targeting review on Mestemaker came up clean), ballooning it to 42-21. UNT clawed a late cosmetic score on Coleman’s 54-yard grab from Mestemaker, but Jacob Merrifield’s fourth-down sack sealed the deal—no fourth-quarter drama needed.
Brown was the maestro, finishing with 207 passing yards and three TD throws, plus 73 rushing yards and a score—his poise under pressure was playoff-caliber. Shuler’s two picks and scoop-and-score made him the defensive MVP, while UNT’s Mestemaker (157 passing yards, three INTs) couldn’t escape the Bulls’ blitz. This wasn’t just a win; it was a blueprint for USF’s AAC title chase, padding their resume with another quality dub against a top-25 hopeful in UNT.
Common Questions About UNT vs USF
What was the final score of UNT vs USF on October 10, 2025? South Florida pulled away for a 42-21 victory over North Texas, scoring 21 unanswered points in the third quarter after a wild 21-21 halftime tie. Turnovers were the difference, with USF capitalizing on five UNT giveaways.
Who were the star players in UNT vs USF? Byrum Brown torched for USF with 207 passing yards, three TD passes, 73 rushing yards, and a rushing TD. Jhalyn Shuler shone defensively with two INTs and a 34-yard fumble return TD. For UNT, Makenzie McGill II’s 23-yard run TD was a highlight in defeat.
How can I watch highlights from UNT vs USF? Full highlights are on ESPN’s site or app, with key plays like Brown’s game-tying buzzer-beater and Shuler’s scoop TD. Stream replays on ESPN+ or Fubo—search “USF North Texas 2025 highlights” for quick clips.
What does this win mean for USF’s playoff chances? It boosts the Bulls to 5-1 (2-0 AAC), keeping their Group of 5 CFP dreams alive alongside upsets over Boise State and Florida. Winning out in conference is key, but this dub over undefeated UNT adds serious cred.
What’s next for UNT and USF after their October 10 game? USF hosts Tulane on October 18; a win keeps them in the AAC hunt. North Texas travels to UTSA on October 18, looking to rebound from their first loss and stay bowl-eligible.
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Wrapping It Up
The UNT vs USF battle was a turnover tornado that showcased USF’s resilience and North Texas’s heartbreak, with the Bulls’ late-half heroics flipping the script into a rout. Brown’s brilliance and Shuler’s picks turned potential pitfalls into playoff fuel, reminding everyone why Group of 5 squads can crash the big dance. As the Bulls charge toward conference glory, this win feels like momentum in cleats. Hats off to a night of non-stop action—college football at its raw, unpredictable best!