The 2025 StaffDNA Cure Bowl features the 9-3 Old Dominion Monarchs and the 9-3 South Florida Bulls. Here is the 2025 StaffDNA Cure Bowl Preview.
Old Dominion won nine games to qualify for their second bowl game in three seasons. They defeated three teams who were .500 or above this season: Coastal Carolina, Troy and Georgia Southern. Only one of their losses was to a team that didn’t make a bowl-game: Marshall.
The Monarchs score 32.7 points per game, ranking 29th in the country. They pass for 223.8 yards (ranked 68th) and rush for 236.9 yards (ranked seventh) per game.
Colton Joseph has started at quarterback, but he has said he is sitting out the bowl game. Quinn Henicle is expected to start in his place. He has passed for 57 yards this season and rushed for 102 this season, although he did start a game in 2024 and showed some mobility. Three wide receivers have over 600 receiving yards for the Monarchs this season. Tre’ Brown leads the team with 751 receiving yards and also has four touchdowns. Ja’Cory Thomas has 674 receiving yards and Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding has 607 to round out a good receiving trio.
Joseph was the leading rusher for the Monarchs this season. Henicle averaged 5.1 yards per carry and can provide some of the rushing missed by Joseph. Behind him, four running backs have at least 200 rushing yards. Trequan Jones is the leading rusher with 736 yards, while Devin Roche has 530.
Defensively, the Monarchs allow 19.3 points per game, ranking 20th in the FBS. They give up 147.4 rushing yards (ranked 65th) and 184 passing yards (ranked 23rd) per game. Jerome Carter and Mario Easterly have 72 and 71 tackles, respectively, to lead the team from their safety positions. Jeremy Mack Jr. leads the team with 4.5 sacks. Carter also has four interceptions, while Zion Frink paces the team with six passes defended.
The Bulls won nine games to qualify for their third straight bowl game, but head coach Alex Golesh has accepted the Auburn job. They have defeated three bowl-eligible teams this season: Boise State, North Texas and UTSA. The Bulls also defeated Florida in nonconference play. All three of their losses were to bowl-eligible teams: Miami, Memphis and Navy.
South Florida scores 43 points per game, ranking second in the country. They pass for 276.2 yards (ranked 17th) and rush for 225.4 yards (ranked 10th) per game.
Byrum Brown was a star for the Bulls this season, passing for 3,158 yards, 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 66.3 percent completion. He hasn’t verified he is playing in the bowl game. If he can’t go, Gaston Moore or Locklan Hewlett will likely play quarterback for the Bulls. Five wide receivers have at least 200 yards this season. Keshaun Singleton leads the team with 50 receptions for 877 yards and eight touchdowns. Jeremiah Koger, Mudia Reuben and Chas Nimrod (last played in week 7) have had large roles in the offense with 529, 495 and 466 receiving yards, respectively.
Brown is also the team’s leading rusher, accounting for 1,008 yards on the ground this season. Three other players have over 300 rushing yards on the season. Nykahi Davenport had 603 rushing yards and seven touchdowns as the lead back. Sam Franklin racked up 445 yards, while Alvon Isaac had 309 himself.
On defense, the Bulls give up 23.3 points per game, ranking 57th in the country. They concede 134.4 rushing yards (ranked 47th) and 252.4 passing yards (tied 117th) per game. Mac Harris has been all over the field with 100 total tackles for the Bulls this season. He also leads the Bulls with six sacks. Linebacker Jhalyn Shuler has made plays in coverage with seven passes defended and one interception.
USF’s offense can put up points with Brown and could probably do so with a backup quarterback. They likely won’t be able to blow out Old Dominion because of their issues on defense. The Monarchs will try to run the football, but some plays may be open through the air to help them keep it close.
South Florida Bulls 32 Old Dominion Monarchs 26
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