The UCF Knights opened their 2023 season in Week 1 versus Kent State on Saturday, September 2 at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, FL.  In their dominate 56-6 win, the Knights put up 723 yards of total offense.  They open the season ranked in the Top 25 in 6 different offensive categories and Top 50 in another 4.  

Here are the categories that the Knights offense rank in the Top 50 nationally and how they compare to other programs and their in-state rivals.

1st in Rushing Offense – 46 attempts, 389 yds, 8.5 yds/rush, 5 rushing TD, 389 yds/game; USF 2nd(tied) 374yds, Oregon 5th 348yds, Tenn 11th yds, Miami 16th, FSU 16th, FAU 30th(tied) 213 yds, Alabama 40th 205yds

1st(tied) 4th Down Conversion  – 1/1 100.0%.  FSU 1st(tied),USF 39th(tied) 80,0%, Ohio State 44th(tied) 66.7%

2nd in Total Offense – 81 plays 723 yds 8.93 yds/play 8 TD.  Oregon 1st 729 yds, CINN  5th(tied) 667 yds, Oklahoma 7th 642 yds, Georgia 559 yds, USF 17th(tied) 540 yds, FSU 27th 494 yds, Miami & FAU 28th(tied) 493 yds

5th in 3rd Down Conversion – 9/12 75.0%.  Oklahoma 1st 84.6%, Alabama 4th 76.9%, FSU 10th, Michigan 15th(tied) 60.0%, Georgia 47th(tied) 46.2%

8th(tied) in Scoring Offense – 8 TD, 8 PAT, 0 2Pt Conversions, 0 FG, 0 Safety, 56 pts.  Oregon 1st 79 pts, Alabama  8th 56 pts, FSU 22nd(tied) 45 pts, FAu 30th(tied) 42 pts

15th(tied) in 1st Down Offense – 32 first downs, 17 run, 13 pass, 2 penalties.  Notre Dame 1st 53, Oklahoma12th 36, FSU 23rd, Colorado 18th(tied) 30, UM 30th(tied), Alabama 40th(tied)

21st in Passing Offense – 25/35 334 yds 2 TD 2 INT 9.54 yds/attempt 13.36 yds/completion.  Ole Miss 1st 524 yds, Georgia 9th 400yds, FSU 14th 359 yds, UF 22nd 333 yds, FAU 42nd

34th in Team Passing Efficiency – 25/35 334 yds 2 TD 2 INT 168.45 Passing Efficiency.  Air Force1st 442.67, FAU 10th 222.30, FSU 16th 204.24, Alabama 25th 191.18, Miami 36th 166.85

35th in Completion Percentage – 25/35 71.4%.  Tulane 1st 93.3%, Oklahoma 3rd 90.9%, FAU 7th 81.5%, Miami 9th(tied) 80.0%, FSU 27th(tied) 75.0%, Alabama 40th 70.8%, Florida 43rd 70.5%

41st in Passing Yards Per Completion – 25/35 334 yds 13.36 avg.  Air Force 1st 47.5 avg, Georgia 15.38 avg, FSU 20th 14.96 avg, Colorado 38th 13.42 avg, Alabama 42nd 13.29 avg, , FAU 45th 12.73 avg

50th in Time of Possession – 31 min total. Pitt 1st 41, FSU 12th 35, Miami 33rd 32

UNRANKED CATEGORIES

Red Zone Offense is unranked – 6 attempts 7 scores 85.7% –  Top 50 is 100%

Punt Returns – 0 returns.  Top 50 avg 6.67yds

Fewest Penalty Yards – 7 penalties 70 yds.  Top 50 is 42 yds 

Fewest Penalty Yards per Game – 7 penalties 70 yds. Top 50 is 41 yds

Fewest Penalties Per Game – 7 penalties 70 penalties.  Top 50 is 5 penalties

Fewest Penalties – 7 penalties for yards.  Top 50 is 46 yds

Kick Off Returns – 0 Returns.  Top 50 is 21.50yds avg

Passes Had Intercepted – 35 attempts 2 INT.  Top 50 is 24 attempts INT

Sacks Allowed – unranked at 1.83.  Top 50 is 1.00

Photo credit: (cover)Sean Russell/FAAZ Sports