DALLAS — The NCAA and the American Athletic Conference (AAC) have initiated a formal review following a massive physical altercation between the Rice Owls and South Florida Bulls at the conclusion of the 2025 First Responder Bowl. The incident, which overshadowed South Florida’s narrow victory, resulted in multiple ejections and is expected to lead to significant disciplinary action for both programs.
The confrontation began immediately following the final whistle at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Tensions that had simmered throughout a highly physical fourth quarter boiled over during the traditional postgame handshake line. Television broadcasts captured the moment a verbal exchange between a Rice defensive back and a USF wide receiver escalated into a physical struggle, drawing players and coaching staff from both sidelines into a sprawling melee near midfield.
Footage shows several players utilizing helmets as weapons and multiple individuals engaging in closed-fist strikes. Stadium security and local Dallas law enforcement were required to enter the field to separate the teams, a process that took nearly ten minutes to complete. The brawl delayed the trophy presentation and forced bowl officials to cancel several scheduled postgame media appearances for safety reasons.
“This is not representative of the American Athletic Conference or the high standards we set for our student-athletes,” the AAC said in a statement released late Tuesday. “We are currently reviewing all available video footage from the broadcast and coaches’ sideline cameras. We will work closely with both institutions to identify the primary aggressors and issue appropriate sanctions.”
Rice head coach Mike Bloomgren and USF head coach Alex Golesh both addressed the incident briefly before departing the stadium. While both coaches expressed regret over the optics of the fight, they noted that the game’s competitive intensity had reached a breaking point. Preliminary reports suggest that at least four players from each team were identified by officiating crews for “flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct,” which carries an automatic half-game suspension for the start of the 2026 season under NCAA rules.
The 2025 First Responder Bowl was intended to be a celebration of both programs’ successful seasons, but the focus has now shifted to the legal and administrative fallout. The NCAA’s Committee on Infractions may also weigh in should the investigation reveal a failure of game management or institutional control.
Additional security is expected to be present for future bowl games at the venue. A final report regarding fines and specific player suspensions is expected to be released by the conference office prior to the New Year.
