 After a 1–3 start, with losses to FSU, Maryland, and Memphis, USF won seven of their next eight games, including a 44–23 upset of #22 Temple, a 65–27 victory over Cincinnati, and a 44–3 victory over in-state rival UCF.The Bulls earned a bid to the Miami Beach Bowl against Taggart's former team and alma mater, Western Kentucky, a game USF lost by a score of 45–35.During the bowl game, multiple school records were set, including single season rushing yards (1,381), and 100-yard rushing games (9), by Marlon Mack, and single season receiving yards (822) by Rodney Adams.