UCF Football Comes Back Against Boise State In Lightning Delayed Season Opening Thriller

Football is back! Arguably three of the biggest words in sports. After a year’s worth of limited or no fans due to the COVID pandemic, aside from a few exceptions, football as we once knew has returned.

Thursday night, the UCF Knights were set to start their 2021 season at home in the Bounce House against the Boise State Broncos at 7pm. Mother Nature had a different timeline tho. Shortly, after the UCF kicking team came out in full uniform for pregame warmups, it was announced over the PA that lightning was indicated nearby and all fans needed to clear stadium seating. After approximately 45 minutes, fans and teams were permitted to return into the stadium only to once again hear of another approaching storm. This time however, both of the UCF student sections started chanting, ‘WE’RE NOT LEAVING!” Little did anyone at the time know at the time that this would become the UCF theme for night.

After a tumultuos and underwhelming 2020 season that lead to a change in coaching staffs, the diehard UCF fans base was not having their long awaited season opener of the Gus Malzahn Era foiled by a typical Florida thunderstorm. They waited over a year for this moment again, so another 3 hour delay would be a breeze. When the game finally kicked off close to 10 pm, everyone was very surprised at how many fans stuck it out and it provided for a great atmosphere.

The UCF defense came out strong in the first series by quickly shutting down Boise State. In their ensuing possession, UCF quickly drove down field to the Broncos 8 yard line in just a few plays which included a long scramble by QB, Dillon Gabriel. On the next play, Gabriel rolled right and attempted to connect with a wide open receiver in the corner of the end zone. Instead, the ball found the hands of Boise State defender, Tyric LeBeauf, who took the gift interception 100 yards for a Broncos touchdown. It was a huge momentum swing and Bosie State fed off it on both sides of the ball. The Broncos controlled the remaining 10 minutes of the 1st quarter and controlled early into the 2nd capping off 21 unanswered points with a 19 yard touchdown pass from QB Hank Bachmeier to WR Khalil Shakir.

Although the Broncos was in full control of the scoreboard, the game never seemed to be over for UCF. The fans remained solidly supportive – especially the student sections. Even with their team down 21-0 early in the 2nd quarter in a Thursday night game lightning delayed by nearly 3 hours, the UCF fan base’s pregame “WE’RE NOT LEAVING” theme seemed to spill onto the field. UCF Football started to turn the corner. They responded for their first score of the game capping off an 80 yard drive, 1:27 drive with a 23 yd TD completion from Gabriel to TE Alec Holler.

The UCF defense gained their footing and held the Broncos on their next few possessions to only a field goal. With under 2 minutes remaining, UCF looked to get on back on the scoreboard before the half. Faced with 3rd and long, WR Ryan O’Keefe made a spectacular catch coming back to the ball in tight coverage to keep the Knights drive alive. Fueled by the catch and with time running out, the inspired Knights offense exhibited the “WE”RE NOT LEAVING” theme with an 8yd TD connection from Gabriel to former high school teammate Titus Mokiao-Atimalala with :08 left on the clock. Broncos had the lead 24-14 going into the half but the Knights definitely had the momentum and would get the ball first in the second half.

Much to the surprise to most, the second half resumed with nearly the same fan attendance as in the 1st half. After all, it was 11:30pm on a Thursday night. The student section kept true their “WE’RE NOT LEAVING!” theme.

The Knights started the second half right where they left off, scoring another TD at the 11:37 mark with an 11 yard reception by WR Brandon Johnson from Gabriel. . The UCF defense held strong the entire 3rd quarter and with 0:56 left in the quarter, UCF found the end zone with a remarkable TD catch by WR Jaylon Robinson in the corner. UCF took the lead for the first time and into the 4th quarter 28-21.

The UCF defense kept their pressure to start the 4th quarter with a quick 3 & out forcing the Broncos to punt. The ensuing snap went over the punter’s head and thru the back of the end zone for a safety extending the UCF lead up 30-24. Not to be counted out however, Boise State kept their composure and fought back with a TD to retake the lead 31-30.

Just as hyped and anticipated, the game would prove to come down to the final few minutes. UCF drove down field once again with heavy dose of the power and speed of transfer RB Isaiah Bowser. Bowser capped off the drive with his sole TD of the game reclaiming the lead for UCF 36-31. Attempting to extend their lead to 7 points, UCF went for the 2 point conversion but fell 1 yard short on a scramble from Gabriel. However, during the run, Gabriel took a big hit that left him down on the sidelines for an extended amount of time and with the crowd silenced. Gabriel would be assisted to their bench raising concerns on his return if they should need him for a final offensive drive if needed.

With under 3 minutes remaining, Boise State looked to put together a drive to regain the lead. With 3rd and long, Broncos QB Bachmeier was flushed out of the pocket by UCF defensive leader BigKat Bryant. Closely chased by Bryant, Bachmeier scrambled right toward the UCF sideline and launched a pass downfield before being knocked out of bounds. The pass would be intercepted by UCF’s Dyllon Lester. Gabriel would return to the field to help run down the clock before UCF would have to punt the ball back to Boise State for a few unproductive fainting seconds.

UCF Football would give Gus Malzahn his first win as a UCF Knight. 1-0

The UCF take their 1-0 record back into the Bounce House Saturday, September 11 at 6:30 p.m. EST and will be available on ESPN+. Boise State will face UTEP at home on Friday, Sept 10 at 9:30 p.m. EST on FS1.

GAME STATS

Offense:

UCF – 573 total, 29 first downs, 3rd down conversions 10-17, possession time 34:46

Boise State – 283, 17 first downs, 3rd down conversions 4 of 14, possession time 25:14

Rushing:

UCF (255yds)- Isaiah Bowser 33 carries 172 yds, Dillon Gabriel 12 carries 80 yds

Boise State (Van Buren 10 carries 26 yds)

Passing:

UCF – Gabriel 25-37 318 yds 4 TD 2 INT

Boise State – Bachmeier 25-39 263 yds 2 TD 1 INT

Receiving:

UCF – Robinson 6 for 140 yds 1 TD (Long 47 yds), Johnson 5 for 47 yds 1 TD, O’Keefe 3 for 45 1 TD