USF completed an improbable comeback to beat Nevada 32-31 on Saturday in Reno, a huge victory for a team that looked out of sorts in the first half.
The Bulls did not lead in the game until they scored with 38 seconds left, when B.J. Daniels hit Andre Davis for a beautiful 56-yard touchdown pass. Davis caught the ball with a defender draped all over him -- a defender who was called for pass interference on the play -- and shook him off en route to the end zone.
The USF defense held on, after allowing Cody Fajardo to dominate for most of the game, as Nevada had one last try to pull out the win. But it was Daniels and Davis who rose to the occasion.
Daniels threw for 225 yards in the fourth quarter and for two touchdowns in the final 2:37. He ended up going 22-of-40 for 363 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Davis set the USF single-game receiving record with 191 yards on 12 catches, and had two touchdowns.
USF essentially survived this game. Nevada jumped out to a 21-6 lead early and looked in complete control. Fajardo ended up with 405 yards of total offense, as he and Stefphon Jefferson each went over 100 yards rushing out of the Pistol formation.
But USF also forced three turnovers, including one at the goal line that Mike Jeune recovered early in the fourth quarter. That made a huge difference because of the one-point margin of victory. Nevada turned the ball over twice inside the USF 20.
It has to feel good for USF to be on the winning end of a close game after losing five heartbreakers last year. USF now has a short week before facing Rutgers on Thursday night in Tampa.
