UCF Prevails Over USF In War On I-4

When records are a mismatch, rivalry games tend to level the playing field. Tonight’s War On I4 rivalry between UCF & USF would be no exception. The energy of the 41,157 fans in attendance in the Bounce House was electric and both teams were ready to make a statement.

UCF struck first mid way thru the first quarter when reserve QB Parker Navarro capped off a 63 yard drive with a 3 yard dive into the end zone. On the ensuing possession, USF freshman QB Timmy McClain orchestrated a 72 yard drive that ended with a 5 yard TD run of his own and close out the quarter.

The second quarter was scoreless until with 11 seconds left, UCF QB Mikey Keene connected with WR Brandon Johnson in the front corner of the end zone for a 7 yard TD. UCF took the lead heading into halftime 14-7.

For the remainder of the game, both teams hit a dry spell for getting into the end zone with any further points resulting from field goals. USF kicker, Spencer Shrader hit twice in the 3rd quarter from 41 & 36 yards, to move USF within 1 point of the UCF lead 13-14.

After missing twice from within range, UCF kicker Daniel Obarsky drilled a 32 yard field goal to push the UCF lead to 17-13 with 8:51 left to play.

USF would find themselves in a position to play spoiler on the last drive of the game. McClain once again orchestrated a long drive and moved USF inside of UCF’s 10 yard line with seconds left. With 11 seconds remaining & what would become the last play of the game, UCF’s defensive pressure forced McClain to scramble and toss a prayer of a pass toward the end zone as he was going down. The pass was intercepted by UCF, however, McClain’s knee was ruled down prior to the pass with 8 seconds on the clock. Although ruled down and without USF having any timeouts left, the clock would still continue to run & by rule there is a 10 second run off. After a few minute delay to determine the ruling, UCF held off USF 17-14

What’s next…With UCF accepting an invite to the Big 12, questions remain as to if the War On I-4 rivalry will continue. If not, November 27, 2021 may have been the last meeting in the Bounce House between these two teams.

USF falls to 2-10 over all, 1-7 AAC

UCF improves to 8-4 overall, 5-3 AAC & will await their bowl game opponent and location.

GAME STATS

Offense:

UCF – 285 yds total, 12 first downs, 3rd down conversions 5 of 13, time of possession 24:51

USF – 312 yds total, 21 first downs, 3rd down conversions 6 of 16, time of possession 35:09

Rushing:

UCF (173 yds) – J. Richardson 8/94 yds, M.A. Richards R. 14/73 yds, P. Navarro 1/3yds 1TD

USF (90 yds) – J. Mangham 21/94 yds, T. McClain 18/-17 yds1TD

Passing:

UCF – M. Keene 14/26 115yds 1TD

USF – T. McClain 18/29 222 yds 6 sacks