TAMPA – On Saturday, the USF football team can capture one of the biggest wins in program history when it hosts the No. 8 Miami Hurricanes.

Some of the cops take it personally…in a good way.

Linebacker Jason Vaughn is one of the few USF players and assistant coaches who either hails from or played for Miami. Vaughn admits he was a Hurricanes fan growing up and can’t wait to run onto the field tomorrow night.

“This is what you live for,” Vaughn said after practice. “This is the stage you love to be on and showcase your talent. Yes, it’s definitely a great opportunity.”

Vaughn, a graduate student, thinks it’s appropriate that he gets to play against the team he watched as a child.

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“If anything, it makes me even more excited that this is part of my history, part of the history of the school program, and that I can go out there and get the win,” he added.

USF defensive line coach Kevin Patrick is a Miami football legend. Patrick was inducted into the UM Hall of Fame in 2015 and was a first-team All-American defensive end in 1993. He helped the ‘Canes to two national titles and was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year his senior year.

Patrick, who goes by “KP,” is in his third year as a USF assistant and says he couldn’t be happier to be a Bull.

“It’s about the Bulls, and it’s about what we do and how we do it,” Patrick said after practice. “We’ve been practicing like this for a while. I love these guys. These guys do a heck of a job. They’re ready to play. It doesn’t matter who they step on the field with, it’s game time.”

Patrick was teammates with current Miami head coach Mario Cristobal and is friends with several Miami assistant coaches. But KP said there are no text messages or group chats during game week.

“There’s nothing to say about that,” Patrick said bluntly. “When that foot touches the leather at the start of the game, it will be live.”

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KP admitted that his approach on the field makes him very emotional, but he is focused on his players’ process and wants them to put in an outstanding performance against his alma mater.

“We’re trying to come out on top and get ready for the game. Our guys will be ready and I know their guys will be ready,” Patrick added. “We don’t have to look for them and they sure as hell don’t have to look for us. They know where we’re going to be.”

No program has been able to claim the title of “beating Florida State” in recent years, and USF head coach Alex Golesh was asked if that’s something that goes through his mind as he approaches a matchup with an in-state school.

“No, sir,” was his answer – followed by a broad smile.

USF (2-1) and #8 Miami (3-0) begin tomorrow night shortly after 7 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium (also on ESPN).

Miami leads the all-time record at 5-1, with the Bulls’ only win dating back to 2010. This will be their first meeting since 2013. USF is seeking its fourth-ever win against a top-ten opponent and first win against a ranked team since 2016, when it defeated No. 22 Navy.