The StaffDNA Cure Bowl wasn’t just another postseason game for USF-it was a snapshot of a program in transition. With head coach Alex Golesh departing for Auburn and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline stepping in to lead the Bulls, the team found itself navigating not just a new coaching direction, but also uncertainty at the quarterback position. That left the door open for Gaston Moore, a familiar face from the SEC, to get the nod as the starting quarterback against Old Dominion.
Moore, who transferred to USF in the spring after four seasons at Tennessee, stepped in with limited game reps under his belt but a solid understanding of the system-thanks in part to his time with Golesh both at Tennessee and previously at UCF. And for much of Wednesday’s bowl game, Moore looked the part of a poised veteran.
He completed 20-of-28 passes for 236 yards, tossing one touchdown and two interceptions. But more than the stat line, it was how he operated the offense that stood out-calm in the pocket, decisive with his reads, and willing to take shots downfield.
Unfortunately, Moore’s night-and possibly his opportunity to make a lasting impression-was cut short early in the fourth quarter. With USF trailing by a touchdown and momentum hanging in the balance, Moore took a hard hit while delivering a throw and exited the game with what appeared to be a head injury.
He did not return. From there, the Bulls struggled to generate offense, and Old Dominion capitalized with a late touchdown to seal a 24-10 win.
For Moore, this game was more than just a fill-in start-it was a culmination of a winding college journey. He started his career at UCF under Josh Heupel and Alex Golesh, transferring to Tennessee when the coaching staff made the move to Knoxville.
Though he never saw the field at UCF, he stuck with the program, and eventually carved out a role as a reliable backup at Tennessee. In 2024, he was the Vols’ No. 2 quarterback, stepping in for the second half in a win over Mississippi State and briefly spelling Nico Iamaleava in a victory over Alabama.
He finished that season with 201 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions on 16-of-27 passing.
When Moore entered the transfer portal, he didn’t immediately land with a new team during the initial window. But Golesh, now at USF, brought him in before the season began-adding a quarterback who already knew the playbook and could provide depth, leadership, and, as it turned out, starting experience when needed.
Moore’s story is one of persistence and preparation. He didn’t get the fanfare of a high-profile recruit, and he wasn’t the face of a program.
But when his number was called-first at Tennessee, and now at USF-he answered. Whether this was his final college snap remains to be seen, but his journey from Hilton Head, South Carolina, to multiple programs across the Southeast is a testament to the value of staying ready.
As for USF, the offseason now brings questions at quarterback. Byrum Brown’s future remains undecided, and the Bulls will need to sort out their depth chart under new leadership. But in the Cure Bowl, even in a loss, Gaston Moore gave them a glimpse of what steady quarterback play can look like in the midst of change.