The University of Central Florida's decision to sell tickets for the first football game of the season with a buy-one-get-one promotion was questioned by the media prior to kickoff on Saturday, but an announced crowd of 42,126 showed up despite alternating bouts of driving rain and smothering humidity.
UCF had three streaks to continue and build upon Saturday: a third straight opening day win, a six-game home winning streak which is 10th-longest in the nation, and not having lost to an FCS (formerly Division I-AA) school since joining FBS (I-A) in 1996.
Fans left Bright House Networks Stadium pleased those streaks continue, but the Knights' 17-0 victory left questions in their minds as well.
The most obvious one ("Can anybody replace Kevin Smith?") has been asked again and again since Smith declared his eligibility for the NFL draft back in January. Starting RB Ronnie Weaver, a redshirt freshman, gained the most rushing yards (88) but they were spaced out across 23 runs for an average of 3.7 yards per carry. The best average (4.4 YPC) was posted by fourth year junior Mike Greco. He also posted UCF's longest run of the evening, a 25-yard scramble on a 3rd and 16 in the middle of the 2nd quarter.
Coach George O'Leary's play calling makes it obvious he was looking for someone to fill Smith's shoes. The run-to-pass play ratio was nearly four to one. "I did get done what I wanted to by getting the running backs in there and seeing how they played with the lights on," O'Leary said in a post-game statement. "I was pleased for how they played with it being the first time under the gun. They showed me what I saw in preseason, and that is the ability to play at this level," he added.
Freshman RB Latavius Murray provided both of UCF's touchdowns, one in the 2nd quarter from 1 yard out and the other in the 4th quarter from 7 yards out.
Although his role in the passing game was limited, Mike Greco did go 9-16 with 0 TDs and 0 INTs. His longest was a 30-yard pass to senior WR Rocky Ross in the 2nd quarter. However, O'Leary criticized his quarterback, saying "There was no question that he held the ball too long... He has to make quicker decisions and have confidence in his throwing ability." O'Leary did offer some praise for Greco's 72 yards on the ground, saying "One thing he did do, was take off running and was able to get some yards that way," but, he cautioned, "that will not happen against a good football team."
Defensively, the Knights held the South Carolina State Bulldogs to just 126 offensive yards and 5 first downs, as well as the first shutout in their new on-campus stadium. It was also the first time UCF shutout a team since 2001.
Fifth year senior FS Jason Venson intercepted a pass for the seventh time in his career. Venson was also in on 4 tackles for the game.
"We were sound on tackling and limiting what their offense wanted to do," said O'Leary.
Overall, O'Leary summed up by saying "We are playing a lot of young players and they just need some more playing time. There are only so many sunrises to sunsets, and they will get better by the more they play."
With their next opponent coming in the form of the University of South Florida Bulls, who last season rose as high as #2 in the national polls, O'Leary and the Knights will no doubt be making the most of the few sunrises and sunsets before Sept. 6.
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