University of South Florida Director of Athletics Mark Harlan today announced an agreement in principle between USF and the University of Texas to play a three-game football series with games to be played in 2019, 2022 and 2024.
The Bulls will face Texas, the third-winningest program in FBS history with 877 victories, for the first time in the 2019 season opener. That game is slated for Aug. 31, 2019 at 100,119-seat Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. The stadium is the seventh largest in college football.
The Longhorns will travel to Tampa for the 2022 season opener slated for Sept. 3, 2022 and
USF will return to Austin on Sept. 7, 2024. The University of Texas System Board of Regents will consider the agreement for approval on Nov. 5-6, 2014.
“The University of Texas is one of the most recognizable and tradition rich brands in college football and we are excited to be able to bring the Longhorn football program to Tampa.” Harlan said. “We look forward to playing in one of the largest stadiums in college football in Austin and it’s exciting for our fans to be able to see nationally prominent programs visit Raymond James Stadium in the coming seasons.”
Texas has won four national championships, the latest in 2005, and three Big 12 conference titles, the last in 2009. The Longhorns 52 bowl game appearances rank second all-time in NCAA history and Texas’ 102 appearances in the BCS rankings led the nation. The Longhorns have had two Heisman Trophy winners and 54 consensus All-Americans.
USF continues strong non-conference scheduling in the coming seasons. The Bulls will play 13 games vs. “Big Five” opponents between 2013-18, including home-and-home series vs. Florida State (2015 & 2016), Wisconsin (2014- & 2017), Illinois (2017 & 2018), Maryland (2014 & 2015) and Syracuse (2015 & 2016). Series with BYU (2021 & 2022) and Northern Illinois (2016 & 2017) also give USF strong home-and-home series on upcoming schedules. USF is playing seven games vs. Big Ten opponents over the six seasons (2013-18), including two this year vs. Maryland (Sept. 6) and at Wisconsin (Sept. 27).
USF (2-4; 1-1 American) travels to Tulsa (1-5; 1-1 American) Saturday for an American Conference clash at Chapman Stadium. It will be the first-ever meeting between the programs. The game will kickoff at noon (ET) and will be televised on ESPNews. The game can also be heard live on the USF/IMG Radio Network (98.7 FM/1010 AM in Tampa).
*Information written and provided by USF Athletic department