Cure Bowl offers opportunity for 10th win for USF, Old Dominion

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When South Florida and Old Dominion step onto the field at Camping World Stadium for Wednesday’s StaffDNA Cure Bowl, the two teams have a similar goal in mind.

Both teams enter the game with an identical 9-3 record, opening up the possibility of a double-digit win season.

The last time USF won 10 games was 2017, while ODU won 10 games in 2016.

“I learned a long time ago that each team is an individual team,” said Old Dominion coach Ricky Rahne. “It’s not like you build momentum from one thing to the next, but it certainly would mean a lot to get 10 wins.

“I wouldn’t say we necessarily had it out as a goal to have double-digit wins, but we certainly thought that this team had the talent to do those sorts of things.”

“We’ve done some great things, but we could really put our stamp on college football in this 2025 season and really put a stamp on who we are at this program,” said USF interim coach Kevin Patrick.

Patrick was promoted to interim coach after Alex Golesh left the program following the regular season to become the head coach at Auburn. The Bulls were in contention for a spot in the American Conference title game until losses to Memphis and Navy dropped them out of consideration.

South Florida hired former Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline as its next coach.

So a chance to claim a 10th victory would be a nice consolation prize for USF.

“I’ve never personally been in a situation like this, where you do good things throughout the year and it creates opportunity for other people,” said USF linebacker Mack Harris. “But we look at each other every single day and we go out and play for each other.”

Playing in a bowl game that also benefits cancer research adds a special meaning to the coaches and players.

Like millions of people across the country, Rahne has been touched by someone who’s dealt with cancer. His mother, Deb, is a breast cancer survivor who underwent successful treatment in 2020 and has fully recovered.

“I personally picked out this as the bowl I wanted to come to for several different reasons, the least of which is my mother is a breast cancer survivor,” Rahne said on Monday. “Obviously, this means a lot to my family and to me.”

Patrick shared several stories of people close to him who suffered through cancer.

“I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of something so strong and to be able to help … it will humble you in a heartbeat,” said Patrick.

Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com.

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