

On December 31, 2005, USF lost to NC State in the Meineke Car Care Bowl, the team's first bowl appearance. 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). In 2001, the Bulls moved to Division I-A (now Division I FBS), where they remained independent. That team finished with a 7–4 record, with all four losses coming to Division I-A opponents.

1 Troy State as well as Division I-A Connecticut. During the 2000 season, their final year in Division I-AA, the Bulls beat three teams ranked in the top 15: No.

The team started as a Division I-AA (now Division I FCS) independent for their first four seasons, finishing with a winning record three times and ranked in the AP Poll twice. Their first team meeting was held under a shade tree, as the school had no proper football facilities on campus. In 1997, Jim Leavitt, previously the co-defensive coordinator at Kansas State, was hired as the team's first head coach. See also: List of South Florida Bulls football seasons Jim Leavitt era (1997–2010) The team plays its home games at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Bulls began playing in 1997 and compete in the American Athletic Conference (The American) of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The South Florida Bulls football team represents the University of South Florida. Football program of the University of South Florida South Florida Bulls football
