With a coaching change in effect at USF from former Tennessee football offensive coordinator Alex Golesh, who left for Auburn, to Brian Hartline, the Bulls’ starting quarterback, Byrum Brown, had to make a decision about his future. As he sorts that out, USF appointed former Vols quarterback Gaston Moore to be the starter in the StaffDNA Cure Bowl against Old Dominion.
On Wednesday, Moore completed 20-of-28 passes for 236 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. However, down seven early in the fourth quarter, he was forced to exit the game with an apparent head injury while taking a hit on a throw.
USF would go on to lose the game 24-10 after a late touchdown from the Monarchs to put the game away.
— USF Football (@USFFootball) December 17, 2025
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Moore joined USF in the spring window after entering the transfer portal following his four years at Tennessee. He did not join a team in the initial window, but his former offensive coordinator at UT and UCF, Golesh, added him before the season began. He would complete 14-of-20 passes for 54 yards and a touchdown on the regular season.
The quarterback spent a quartet of seasons at Tennessee as a backup. He was the second-string option in 2024 and had to enter for the entire second half in the win over Mississippi State and briefly in the win over Alabama in place of Nico Iamaleava. In that season, he completed 16-of-27 passes for 201 yards, two touchdowns and two picks.
Moore started his career at UCF under Josh Heupel and Golesh, and transferred with them to Tennessee after not seeing action with the Knights. He is from Hilton Head, South Carolina.
