WATCH: South Florida players fight each other after heated verbal sparring during Week 8 college football game

USF secured a victory on Saturday, overcoming a shaky start to defeat the UAB Blazers. Despite the win, the game’s turning point wasn’t just about football. It was a tense altercation between two of USF’s players.

The Bulls' game looked dicey early in the third quarter. Frustration boiled over on the sidelines since they were trailing. The USF sought to avoid what could have been an embarrassing defeat. Tensions finally reached a breaking point when freshman defensive end Dinellson Exume and senior linebacker Jamie Pettway had a heated exchange.

Following a UAB field goal that extended the Blazers’ lead to 19-7. It was visible that Exume and Pettway were frustrated with their team’s performance. What began as verbal sparring between the two soon escalated into a physical altercation.

South Florida turns things around for win

Despite the chaos on the sidelines, USF managed to turn things around on the field. The Bulls quickly responded to it. They rallied to score two touchdowns before the end of the third quarter. Their defense also tightened up during the game. This kept UAB from extending their lead further.

By the fourth quarter, USF regained its composure and outscored the Blazers 15-6 in the final period. Later in the game, they secured a 35-25 comeback victory.

The win improved USF’s record to 3-4 on the season. On the other hand, the UAB dropped to 1-6, further compounding the difficulties for coach Trent Dilfer. The Bulls’ performance on the field in the second half was impressive. However, the sideline brawl between them was a stark reminder.

Nonetheless, the Bulls managed to avoid what could have been a disastrous loss. They pulled off an important win despite internal conflict. Let us know in the comment what are your thoughts on this.

The Bulls are next scheduled to face the Florida Atlantic Owls on Nov. 1. Then they'll have No. 25 on their fixture.