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By Katie Murray, Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President

The Bulls have already pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the early season, upsetting the University of Florida last weekend. Now, with a 2-0 start, they will try to carry that momentum into Saturday鈥檚 matchup against the University of Miami. More than 11,000 alumni live in Miami-Dade and Broward counties 鈥� many gearing up to watch the Bulls take the field.

For Jeb Bjorn, a 2012 geography major, USF鈥檚 progress on and off the field reflects years of steady growth, reinforcing his excitement for the new on-campus stadium.

鈥淪tarting from scratch in 鈥�97 and working our way up slowly but surely, it鈥檚 been fun to cheer for,鈥� said Bjorn, a member of the alumni groups and . 鈥淚鈥檝e got a good feeling after watching the last two games that we鈥檙e going to be able to compete and make our way up.鈥�

Alan Steinberg, who graduated in 1978 with a degree in speech communications and public relations, has been leading the Broward County Alumni Chapter for two decades. His son also graduated from USF and said the Bulls鈥檚 resurgence is energizing alumni across the state.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been a long time coming,鈥� Steinberg said. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 exciting now is that it鈥檚 reenergizing our watch parties and our base. We鈥檙e looking forward to beating a third ranked team in a row. This is going to be a much tougher game than the first two, but either way, the team will put up a good fight.鈥�

Steinberg said the energy around the football program is mirrored in the connections alumni build in his chapter, especially at their annual summer send-off for new students.

鈥淧arents usually have to drag students to the gathering, but by the end of the night, the parents are the ones dragging them out because the students don鈥檛 want to leave,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great introduction to USF.鈥�

In Palm Beach County, alumni chapter leader Jeamson Simeus, a 2010 business graduate, said he and fellow Bulls are planning to turn Saturday鈥檚 matchup into a major reunion.

鈥淐an鈥檛 miss that game,鈥� Jeamson said. 鈥淭he fact we鈥檙e on a winning streak has made this become a very big game. Friends and family are coming in to show out.鈥�

Beyond football, all three alumni said they鈥檝e been equally impressed with USF鈥檚 academic rise. They pointed to the university鈥檚 invitation to join the AAU and preeminence status as signs that the institution is building on the same kind of momentum that has carried the Bulls on the field this fall.

Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

The Bulls next play at home at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20 against the South Carolina State Bulldogs.