 In 2001, after competing for four years as a Division I-AA (now Division I FCS) independent, the Bulls moved to Division I-A (now Division I FBS), where they remained independent.They joined Conference USA in 2003, but only stayed until 2005, when they became a member of the Big East Conference (now the American Athletic Conference).On December 31, 2005, USF lost to NC State in the Meineke Car Care Bowl, the team's first bowl appearance.