On Saturday evening at Raymond James Stadium, the UCF Knights faced the USF Bulls for the War On I4 Rivalry.  A strong rivalry but one which has an unknown future.  Next season UCF moves into the Big 12 Conference while USF remains in the American Conference(AAC) and for the unforeseeable future, there has yet to be any scheduling between the two teams.

Aside from bragging rights, a win for UCF would guarantee them a spot in the conference championship versus Tulane at Yulman Stadium on Saturday, December 3 in Louisiana.  A win for USF would give them much more than just their second win of the season.  A Bulls win would play spoiler to UCF’s conference championship , eliminate any chance for a UCF New Years Six Bowl game bid, break a 5 year War On I4 losing streak, and provide a bittersweet conference parting gift to UCF. 

With UCF tied atop in the AAC and USF holding a firm grasp at the bottom, the game was projected to be a blowout.  However, rivalry games are rarely that predictable and tonight was far from predictable.

UCF quickly opened up the scoring on their first possession when QB John Rhys Plumlee found a seam up the middle, then raced 64 yards down the sideline for the games first touchdown.  The Knights continued their scoring assault by adding three additional touchdowns(R.J. Harvey 3 yd run, John Rhys Plumlee 20 yd run, & Ryan O’Keefe 3 yd catch) before USF would get onto the scoreboard when QB Byrum Brown threw to Sean Atkins for a 2 yd touchdown completion with :40 seconds left in the first half.  UCF 28 – USF 7.

The second half saw a change at quarterback for UCF with Mikey Keene taking over for Plumlee who suffered a hamstring strain during his second touchdown run in the first half.  The change seemed to stifle the Knights offensive rhythm and the USF defense took full advantage of it.  

USF first held UCF to a 27 yd field goal from Colton  Boomer.  The Bulls then added their second touchdown of the night with a 4 yd run from Byrum Brown capping off a 79 yd drive and adding a two point conversion.  And that’s when the night changed.

On the following two consecutive UCF possessions, the Knights fumbled  deep in their own territory and the Bulls capitalized by adding touchdowns from Michael Dukes 5 yd run and Brian Battle 14 yd run while converting 1 of 2 for the two point attempt.  End of 3rd quarter score UCF 31 – USF 29.

The fourth quarter opened with UCF finishing off a 75 yard driver with a 4 yd touchdown reception from Mikey Keene to Kobe Hudson.  USF would add a field goal from Spencer Shrader to cut the UCF lead to 38 – 32.  On their next possession, USF QB Byrum Brown scrambled and broke free for a 42yd touchdown to give the Bulls first lead of the game. 39 – 38.  

Then with just over 5 minutes remains & UCF driving, the Bulls would force another fumble.  With all things seemingly going USF’s way  time running out, the UCF defense held forcing the Bulls punt.

UCF would start their final drive on their own 18 yd line with only 2:49 left to play.  After picking up a first down, the momentum would shift dramatically back to UCF on their next play.  USF flushed UCF QB Mikey Keene out of the pocket and to his left, opposite his throwing arm.  In trouble, Keene launched the football against his body to a spot downfield. As he described, “I threw it as far as I possibly could”.  Seemingly out of nowhere, UCF WR Javon Baker appears to make a spectacular diving catch at the USF 29 yd line with just over 2 minutes to play.  

Now well within the range of UCF kicker, Colton Boomer,  UCF looked to burn some time off the clock with a few running plays picking up a pivotal first down in doing so.  After another short run and then a pass for no gain, UCF was faced with 3rd and 8 on the USF 14 with just under :30 seconds in the game.  Rather than burn more clock with a run, and settle for a potential field goal, UCF Head Coach Gus Malzahn decided to option for a pass play.  UCF QB Keene floated a sideline pass just past the goal line to where only a UCF player would have a chance to catch it, and that player was TE Alec Holler.  Holler made a spectacular, falling backward one handed catch while barely dragging one toe inbounds for the touchdown.  The catch would be reviewed and confirmed as a touchdown.  UCF would complete a 2 point conversion to give the lead back to the Knights 46 – 39 with only :20 seconds left to play.

A failed UCF squib kick gave the Bulls possession at the 50 yd line and a chance for the tie or win.  USF would quickly push the ball down field to the UCF 31.  With :01 second remaining, USF floated a hail Mary pass to the back of the end zone but UCF’s safety Divaad Wilson broke up the play to secure the win for the Knights 46 – 39.

The UCF win extends their overall record to 9-3 overall, 6-2 AAC, and 8-6 War On I4 Rivalry advantage.   The Knights will travel to Louisiana to face Tulane for the AAC Championship at 4p.m. EST on ABC. 

In the loss, USF falls to 1-11 overall and 0-8 AAC.  

Photo credit: Sean Russell/FAAZ Sports