UCF Knights Overwhelm Sam Houston 45-14

The UCF Knights hosted their second game of the season Saturday night at FBC Mortgage Stadium against the Sam Houston State Bearkats. Both teams entered the contest 1-0 after winning their 2024 openers. For UCF fans, the anticipation of the final score was less of a focus but rather how would their QB KJ Jefferson respond after a less than stellar opening game.

After UCF’s Xavier Townsend returned the opening kickoff 20 yards from his own goal line, KJ Jefferson led Knights did not waste anytime getting into a balanced scoring rhythm. On their opening drive, Jefferson led a 10 play 80 yard scoring drive spanning 6 1/2 minutes, more impressively the offense had to recover from an additional 20 yards tacked on from 3 penalties. It was evident that Knights Head Coach Gus Malzahn wanted to get Jefferson in rhythm quick with QB runs and short quick passes. During their opening drive, Jefferson accounted for 81 total yards going 4/4 46 yards passing and rushed 3 times for 35 yards. The drive concluded with star running back RJ Harvey flying into the end zone at the end of his run scoring his 3rd touchdown of the year.

UCF’s defense quickly made some noise of their own as well. On the 3rd play of Sam Houston’s first possession, QB Hunter Watson looked to throw deep but received heavy pressure from Knights DE transfer Nyjalik Kelly causing the pass to float a little. Knights safety Sheldon Arnold II seized the opportunity, intercepting the pass on his own 2 yard line and returned it 22 yards.

Back on offense, UCF quickly capitalized on the turnover. The Knights put together a 76 yard 10 play scoring drive capped off with RJ Harvey again in the end zone. Knights lead 14-0

The Knights defense forced a quick 3 and out giving th ball back to their offense. This time the Knights offense was not able to find the same scoring success but did add to scoreboard off the foot of kicker Colton Boomer with a big 50 yard field goal and pushing the lead to 17-0.

Back on defense, UCF had a miscommunication coverage lapse on the 5th play of the series resulting in a 64 yard catch and run Sam Houston touchdown from Noah Smith to Simeon Evans to cut the lead 17-7.

The UCF offense would respond again to pick up their 3rd touchdown of the half. They implemented a run heavy drive in which 9 of their 10 plays were on the ground again resulting in an RJ Harvey 22 yard touchdown. Neither team would score on their remaining possessions of the first half giving UCF a 24-7 halftime lead.

UCF’s defense got things started to begin the second half. With Sam Houston driving, QB Hunter Watson was intercepted for the second time of the night. This time it was Mac McWilliams picking of the pass at UCF’s 31 and returning it for 27 yards to Sam Houston’s 42 yard line. Four plays later, UCF running back Myles Montgomery takes it in from yards out for another Knights touchdown. Knights lead 31-7

The UCF defense held Sam Houston to just 1 first down on their next possession and forcing them to punt. During the punt, a bad snap that went over the punters head ended up giving the Knights the ball back on the Bearkats 2 yard line. Just one play later, RJ Harvey punched it into the end zone for another UCF touchdown and Harvey’s fourth of the night. The 3rd quarter finished uneventful with UCF in command 38-7.

UCF started the fourth quarter with the ball on their on 12 yard line. On their first play, KJ Jefferson connected with wide receiver Kobe Hudson deep down the UCF sideline for a 53 yard gain. Six plays later and UCF was in the end zone again. This time another of UCF’s talented running backs, Peny Boone, took the final five handoff runs of the drive a total of 33 yards to give UCF a 45-7 lead.

Sam Houston would get one final score to cut the final score to 45-14.

After 2 games, UCF has proven their running game is one of the best in the nation and arguably the best in the BIG 12 Conference. Quarterback KJ Jefferson looked more comfortable and much earlier in the game. The Knights defense is definitely improved over last season and continues to impress. Kicker Colton Boomer is back to his true form showing his capabilities of hitting big kicks.

Up Next:

UCF: Travels to play TCU to start their BIG 12 Conference play on Saturday, September 14 at Amon G. Carter Stadium on FOX and kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

Sam Houston: Hosts Hawaii Sam on Saturday, September 14 at Bowers Stadium in Hunstville, TX with kickoff at 6:00 p.m.

GAME STATISTICS

Attendance: 43,807

UCF Offense: 554 yards of total offense, 29 first downs, 3rd down conversions 8/13, time of possession 34:03

Sam Houston: 286 total yards of offense, 12 first downs, 3rd down conversions 5/12, time of possession 25:57

Rushing Offensive Stats:

UCF: 384 yards rushing.

RJ Harvey: 19/126yds 4 TD with long 24yds

P. Boone: 10/54yds 1 TD

M. Montgomery: 9/51yds 1 TD