UCF Wins In-State Battle Over FAU

UCF traveled down to Boca Raton on Saturday night, to face FAU in their first road game of the season. The Knights’ explosive 2nd half led to a 40-14 win over the Owls.

UCF got off to a slow start, trailing FAU 7-14 after the first quarter. The Knights struggled containing the run early in the game, giving up big plays to the Owls.

UCF hunkered down after the first quarter, shutting out FAU for the rest of the game. The Knights’ defense played with great intensity throughout the majority of the game. In possibly the turning point of the game, they made yet another goal-line stand early in the third quarter, something we’ve seen from this defense earlier in the season against SC State.

Following the goal-line stand, the special teams stepped up and senior defensive end, Tre’Mon Morris-Brash blocked the Owls’ 19 yard field goal attempt.

Senior quarterback, John Rhys Plumlee put up big numbers for the Knights. He recorded UCF career highs in passing and rushing yards, as he threw for 339 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, while leading the team in rushing with 121 yards and 2 touchdowns. Plumlee spread the ball out to a handful of his weapons, with 4 of his receivers recording 50 or more yards. Redshirt senior tight end, Alec Holler, had a career night as well, with 115 receiving yards, including a 64 yard catch.

Junior running back, Johnny Richardson was heavily involved in the offense, recording 79 yards on 11 carries, which included a 50 yard run. RJ Davis and Isiah Bowser both recored rushing touchdowns, while Davis ran for 50 yards, and Bowser ran for 33 yards – The Knights ran for a total of 314 yards.

Despite the slow start, UCF had a very good night on the offensive side of the ball, racking up 693 total yards, a season-high for the Knights. Once the defense got settled into the game, they put on another great performance, not allowing a single yard of offense in the 3rd quarter. The defense shut down the Owls’ passing game, only allowing 108 yards through the air.

Malzahn acknowledged that there is still improvement to be made in all three phases of the game, but he was clearly proud of the way his team bounced back from the slow start and got a big in-state win over FAU.

Attendance: 30,991

OFFENSE:

UCF – 653 total yds, 32 first downs, 3rd down conversion 12/18, time of possession 37:05

FAU- 296 total yds, 18 first downs, 3rd down conversion 5/13, time of possession 22:55

RUSHING:

UCF (314 yds) – J.R. Plumlee 20/121 yds 2 TD, J. Richardson 11/79 yds. RJ Harvey 8/50 1TD, Bowser 13/33 yds 1 TD

FAU (188 yds) – L. McCammon 11/91 yds, Z. Mobley 10/84 yds TD

PASSING:

UCF (339 yds) – J R Plumlee 25/36 339 yds 1 TD w/long 64yds

FAU (108 yds) – N. Perry 13/29 108 yds TD 1 INT

RECEIVING:

UCF – Jan. Baker 7/83 yds TD, R. O’Keefe 6/74 yds, A. Holler 3/115 yds w/long 64yds