UCF Dominates in Season Opener Win Over SC State

UCF kicked off their season on Thursday night, against Division II opponent, SC State. The Knights won 56-10, dominating from start to finish.

Ole Miss transfer, John Rhys Plumlee, had a great performance in his UCF debut. Plumlee threw for 308 yards and 4 touchdowns, with a 65% completion rate. Plumlee led the team in rushing as well with 86 yards and a touchdown. The senior made good decisions in the passing game and made numerous gritty plays on the ground.

Fifth year running back Isiah Bowser ran for 83 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Junior running back, Johnny Richardson, ran for 59 yards on only 6 attempts. Bowser and Richardson were a great 1-2 punch for UCF’s run game throughout the night.

Alabama transfer, Javon Baker got his first receiving touchdown as Knight, while racking up 84 yards on 4 receptions. Running backs, Johnny Richardson and Anthony Williams, as well as tight end, Zach Marsh Wojan, all brought in receiving touchdowns throughout the night.

The UCF defense had a fantastic game as a collective. The Knights’ defense played well up front and made plays in the secondary. They played physical throughout the entirety of the game, which was most noticeably represented by their goal line stand in the second quarter. With SC State receiving the ball inside the 10 yard line after recovering a fumble, the defense stood their ground, making gritty plays up front, and forced the Bulldogs to kick a field goal.

Redshirt Senior, defensive back, Divaad Wilson showed his athleticism, bringing in a diving interception off a tip pass in the 1st quarter.

Despite the game being a blowout, UCF remained energetic and focused during the entirety of the game. The Knights were making hustle plays all over the field, regardless of the score. Senior wide receiver, Ryan O’Keefe, making a chase down tackle after the Knights lost a fumble, the defensive goal line stand in the second quarter, and Quadric Bullard’s blocked punt followed by a scoop and score are all plays indicative of this.

In UCF’s debut in the newly named, FBC Mortgage Stadium, they played a solid game all around. After any team’s first game of the season, there’s going to be improvements to make, but in all components of the game, the Knights showed great potential for the season ahead.

OFFENSE:

UCF – 600 total yds, 29 first downs, 3rd down conversion 9/15, time of possession 29:03

SC State – 91 total yds, 9 first downs, 3rd down conversion 2/16, time of possession 28:23

RUSHING:

UCF (292 yds) – J R Plumlee 15/86 yds 1 TD, I. Bowser 23/83 yds 2 TD

SC State (35 yds) – T. Nick 6/28 yds

PASSING:

UCF (308 yds) – J R Plumlee 20/31 308 yds 4 TD w/long 53yds

SC State (56 yds) – C. Fields 5/15 42 yds 1 TD 1 INT, T. Nick 2/3 14 yds

RECEIVING:

UCF – Jav. Baker 5/84 yds 1 TD, K. Gamble 3/82 yds 1 TD, R. O’Keefe 3/48 yds,

Z. Marsh-Wojan 1/21 yds 1 TD, J. Richardson 2/19 yds 1 TD