UCF Comes Up Big In Season Opener At Home

Knights’ fans showed up to FBC Mortgage Stadium, “The Bounce House,” for their Thursday night home opener against Kent State in their debut game as a member of the Big 12. John Rhys Plumlee faced off against Michael Alamino and the Golden Flashes under the lights in Central Florida, the first time these two teams have faced off in 18 years. Plumlee would lead the Knights in making their opening statement to the college football league with a 56-6 win.

UCF opened their first quarter with two explosive back to back touchdown drives aided by John Rhys Plumlee’s ability to effectively run the ball. Townsend would see his first receiving touchdown as a Knight in the first drive of the game. UCF’s second drive was aided by the defense stopping the ball and fielding from Kent State’s 41 yard line. Kent State would see an explosive 74 yard play come back on a flag for an ineligible man downfield, only able to come up with 3 points off the drive. Plumlee would see his first turnover of the season to end the Knight’s third drive of the first quarter. Kent State attempted to capitalize on the fumble recovery with a second field goal, only to miss a 44 yard field goal attempt blocked by the upper left post to close out the first quarter.

In the opening drive of the second quarter, UCF responded with a 32 yard pass to Townsend, aided by a Kent state facemask to move the ball another 15 yards resulting in McDonald’s rushing touchdown to bring the Knights to a healthy 21 to 3 lead, with the added extra point by Boomer. A quick 3 and out by Michael Alaimo is redeemed by an interception in the endzone for a touchback. However, Michael Alamino and the Kent State offense could not produce on the turnover. The Knights responded with DeJordan Mask’s 5th career interception on the UCF 6 yard line, stopping Kent State from advancing. UCF’s final drive of the half was a big 22 yard pass to Javon Baker, followed by a Townsend 28 yard rush and a quick touchdown pass to Alec Holler for 18 yards.

The first half was dominated by UCF’s offense with a combined 357 yards of offense and a 28-3 lead. Kent State struggled to make much of the turnovers afforded to them, and ended the half with a less than stellar 99 yards of total offense. UCF’s number 1 rusher is unsurprisingly John Rhys Plumlee, with 90 yards rushing, averaging 11.3 yards per carry, and 1 touchdown. The Knight’s averaged 7.3 yards per carry on the offensive side of the ball. John Rhys Plumlee’s legs weren’t his only threat in the first half; sporting a pass completion rate of 78% for 2 touchdowns, and an average rush of a whopping 11.3 yards. Townsend was the favorite target for John Rhys Plumlee with 6 targets, 81 yards, and a touchdown.

Michael Alaimo opened the second half with 14 yards of offense that amounted to no gain. John Rhys Plumlee then sent Harvey to the end zone with a 15 yard catch, running the remaining 35 yards for a touchdown. Kent State failed to convert on an important 4th down to keep their hopes alive, giving UCF the ball at their 41. Kent State had given UCF great field position all game, allowing for one or two breakaway plays to dictate the pace of the Knight’s offense. Harvey utilized the good field advantage to rush for 48 yards and a touchdown to put the Knights in at a healthy 42 to 3 lead. Plumlee gave up another interception in the end zone to Kent State, putting ice on the hot drive by the Knights. Kent State for the second time could not capitalize on a turnover in the end zone, and ended up settling for a field goal before giving the ball back to the knights to start the last quarter.

On the Knight’s next drive, Richardson walks the 7th touchdown on a 7 yard carry. Both John Rhys Plumlee and Michael Alamino are replaced by their respective back ups to close out the game, but not before Bowman drives in one more touchdown in the final minute of the game to set the final score of 56-6 for a UCF Knights victory.

Up next, UCF will travel to Boise State to face the Broncos on Saturday, September 9 at 7:00p.m. Kent State will host Central Connecticut State on September 16 at noon.

Attendance: 44,088

UCF Offense: 723 yards of total offense, 33 first downs, 3rd down conversions 9/12, time of possession 31:26

Kent State Offense: 240 total yards of offense, 15 first downs, 3rd down conversions 7/17, time of possession 28:34

Rushing Offensive Stats:

UCF: 389 yards rushing

Johnny Richardson: 12/100 yards 0 TD with long 43 yards

John Rhys Plumlee: 8/90 yards 1 TD with long 32 yards

RJ Harvey: 10/84 yards 1 TD with long 48 yards

Demarkcus Bowman: 8/46 yards 1 TD with long 12 yards

Kent State: 95 yards rushing

Gavin Garcia: 18/45 yards 0 TD with long 13 yards

Michael Alaimo: 7/23 yards 0 TD with long 24 yards