1997 South Florida Bulls football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1997 South Florida Bulls football Independent 5–6 Jim Leavitt 1st Mike Canales 1st Pro-style Rick Kravitz 1st 3–4 Houlihan's Stadium none The 1997 South Florida Bulls football team represented the University of South Florida (USF) as an independent during the 1997 NCAA Division I-AA football season, and was the first team fielded by the school. Led by first-year head coach Jim Leavitt, the Bulls compiled a record of 5–6. South Florida played home games at Houlihan's Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Schedule 1997 NCAA Division I-AA The Sports Network Eastern September 6 7:00 p.m. w 1997 Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers Kentucky Wesleyan Houlihan's Stadium Tampa, FL SCF 80–3 49,212 September 13 7:00 p.m. l y The Citadel Johnson Hagood Stadium Charleston, SC SCF 7–10 12,154 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-citadel-turns-back-s/176168279/ The Palm Beach Post Citadel turns back South Florida September 14, 1997 July 7, 2025 Newspapers.com September 20 7:00 p.m. l 1997 Drake Bulldogs Drake Houlihan's Stadium Tampa, FL SCF 22–23 33,827 September 27 8:00 p.m. l y Western Kentucky 3 L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 3–31 11,200 October 4 7:00 p.m. w 1997 Morehead State Eagles Morehead State Houlihan's Stadium Tampa, FL 33–17 30,050 October 11 7:00 p.m. l y 1997 Elon Fightin' Christians Elon Burlington Memorial Stadium Burlington, NC 13–41 4,692 October 18 7:00 p.m. l y Southern Illinois Houlihan's Stadium Tampa, FL SCF 10–23 34,432 Ginn Sharon S. Illinois gives Bulls unhappy homecoming https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92682940/tampa-bay-times/ January 15, 2022 Tampa Bay Times October 19, 1997 15C Newspapers.com November 1 7:00 p.m. w Charleston Southern Houlihan's Stadium Tampa, FL 24–6 25,361 November 8 2:30 p.m. w y 1997 Cumberland Bulldogs Cumberland (TN) Lindsey Donnell Stadium Lebanon, TN 44–0 1,001 November 15 7:00 p.m. l Georgia Southern Houlihan's Stadium Tampa, FL SCF 23–24 30,470 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-usf-fails-to-convert-f/176167856/ The Tampa Tribune-Times USF fails to convert for major upset of Eagles November 16, 1997 July 7, 2025 Newspapers.com November 22 7:00 p.m. w Davidson Houlihan's Stadium Tampa, FL SCF 48–32 27,919 https://www.newspapers.com/article/sarasota-herald-tribune-usf-finishes-wit/192395869/ Brian Evers McGee 7C Sarasota Herald-Tribune USF finishes with flurry 48–3 November 23, 1997 February 28, 2026 Newspapers.com References South Florida Category:South Florida Bulls football seasons South Florida Bulls football