The University of Central Florida Knights scored first on Saturday, but after a first quarter touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Rob Calabrese they would not score again in a Homecoming Day 17-6 loss to the University of Southern Miss.
That the Knights (2-7, 1-4 C-USA) struggle on offense is nothing new, but what is emerging is a troubling lack of defense, as the offense cannot keep them off the field.
"We have a bunch of kids on defense that are making some things happen, and way too many players on offense that aren't making things happen," Head Coach George O'Leary said. "We sure had our opportunities today in the passing game to move the ball down the field, and we just didn't get it done. I feel bad for the senior class who have given everything for four years here and lose their bowl opportunity."
Another problem facing the Knights is senior punt returner Joe Burnett being taken out of the game. Opposing teams realize his ability to make plays and now kick away from him.
"Everyone is doing it, and there is not much you can do to help him out," O'Leary said. "They are basically squibbing it, or kicking it away from him every time. We continue working on stacking the returners and try to switch it up. That is a credit to him that they have that much respect for him and what he has done."
Southern Miss (4-6, 2-4 C-USA) was able to score in each quarter after the first. The Golden Eagles racked up a total of 338 yards on offense, including 188 yards through the air on 21 completions in 34 attempts with no interceptions against an unusually subdued UCF secondary.
One possible silver lining for the Knights is that the score was not 23-6 at the whistle. UCF junior linebacker Chance Henderson blocked a second quarter Britt Barefoot field goal attempt, and Barefoot missed another one from 42 yards out in the third.
The Knights started the game much as they did last Sunday's flop against East Carolina. The defense forced Southern Miss to punt on their first possession, the eighth time in nine games this season an opponent has failed to score on their opening drive.
The offense took over backed up to their own 9-yard-line. Freshman runningback Brynn Harvey ripped off a 28-yard run on UCF's first offensive play. Moving quickly down the field with Calabrese passes to redshirt sophomore receiver Brian Watters and sophomore receiver Kamar Aiken for 15 and 19 yards respectively, and allowing Harvey to grind it out on the ground, the Knights were at the Southern Miss 3-yard-line in eight plays. On third down, sophomore receiver Khymest Williams caught a 3-yard Calabrese fade in the corner of the end zone.
"You've got to have something go wrong," one fan noted after kicker Daren Daly banged the extra point off the upright, leaving the score 6-0.
And that was it for the Knights' offense.
Henderson's field goal block in the second quarter kept the score 6-0 and gave the Knights a chance to widen the gap before the half. Instead, on 2nd-and-7, Calabrese threw an interception to Southern Miss' Eddie Hicks who was the only player near the ball.
The Golden Eagles worked their way down to the UCF 5-yard-line and quarterback Austin Davis lofted a fade to receiver DeAndre Brown for six.
Barefoot made good on the point-after attempt and the score was 7-6.
The third quarter was the nail in the coffin for UCF.
The Knights started the second half with possession and, following a false start penalty on redshirt freshman Adam Nissley, went three-and-out.
Southern Miss managed to get to the UCF 25 on their next possession, leading to Barefoot's second missed field goal of the game.
UCF took over on downs, and after a 12-yard pass to Watters, again went three-and-out.
It was all Southern Miss for the rest of the third quarter.
Taking over on their own 15 with 9:02 left in the third, the Golden Eagles marched down the field on a 17-play, 85-yard scoring drive that ate 8:57 off the clock. The scoring play was an 8-yard run by quarterback Austin Davis, who stretched the ball into the endzone before being wrapped up, making it 14-6.
"I think we had third down opportunities that you have to make plays on," O'Leary said about the drive. "We had to put a freshman in for Chance Henderson, and that is where they completed the [16-yard] pass. Again, it was a tough game and defense was on the field a lot, but that is why they are on scholarship."
The Knights started the fourth quarter with a 27-yard Calabrese pass to Aiken. Calabrese took a hard shot to the back on the play, and redshirt freshman Michael Greco came in. He threw three incomplete passes and sophomore punter Blake Clingan again came on the field, followed again by the Knights' defense.
The defense held Southern Miss, and the Barefoot punt was downed at the UCF 45.
Calabrese was healthy again and it showed as he too threw three incomplete passes. The defense came back on after 24 seconds of rest on the sideline.
Southern Miss again showed their ability to manage a game as they went 71 yards in 11 plays, setting up a 29-yard Barefoot field goal to make it a two-possession game at 17-6.
Showing a drive and willingness to win on the next possession, Calabrese was stuffed on a 4th-and-1 quarterback keeper.
Calabrese threw his second and final interception of the game with 1:56 left in the game and Southern Miss kneeled to run out the clock.
O'Leary was asked about the possibility of starting third-string freshman quarterback Joe Weatherford.
"He is number three right now in the program," he said. "I know [quarterbacks coach] George Godsey is getting him some reps in practice and trying to see where he is going. I think based on what happens in the next part of the season, then you will see his name pop up on the field. Again, as I have told the team, we are out to win football games. I think the guys who are playing, are the ones who are supposed to be on the field. We haven't missed anyone."
With this, the seventh loss of the season, the Knights are eliminated from bowl contention. Senior safety Jason Venson offered his thoughts on how UCF will stay motivated through the final three games.
"Pride, the game of football is a prideful game," Venson said. "We are going to go out there and play each other, especially for the seniors and go out there and win our last three games in college football. We can't get a winning season so all we can do is go out there and play for pride."
UCF has a two-game away stretch at Marshall (Nov. 15) and Memphis (Nov. 22) before closing out the season against UAB at home.
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