Miami pulls away for win against UCF

by: Neil Tredray

ORLANDO, Fla. -- It was called a home game, but the crowd of 48,453 in Bright House Networks Stadium was an almost even mix of orange and green, and black and gold.
The final score in UCF's 27-7 loss to the University of Miami Saturday night doesn't tell the whole story either. Throughout most of the game, the Knights were within 10 points of the #11 Hurricanes. Only a Matt Bosher field goal late in the third quarter, and a touchdown run from Damien Berry with 10:46 left in the game put the game truly out of reach for the Knights (3-3, 1-2 C-USA).Miami (5-1, 2-1 ACC) allowed six sacks in the game, and was only able to force two on the Knights.
"As far as being able to contain their quarterback Jacory Harris, I think our guys did a good job of getting pressure on him," UCF head coach George O'Leary said. "They took advantage of the miscues on their offense, and getting the opportunity to pressure him and get him on the ground. Our defense did a great job of keeping us in the game, but offensively we just did not capitalize and move the ball well down the field."
Offensively, the Hurricanes had their share of trouble as well.Their first possession ended in a punt following a sack by defensive end Darius Nall.
UCF took its first drive 65 yards in 12 plays to the Miami 15 yard line. Knights kicker Nick Cattoi missed his field goal wide left from 32 yards out, however, and the Hurricanes took over.
"It was definitely frustrating seeing the offensive side of the ball come up short, and not being able to put points up on the board," O'Leary said.
Miami quarterback Jacory Harris then led his team on an eight play, 80-yard scoring drive, highlighted by a 21-yard reception by tight end Jimmy Graham, followed immediately by a 23-yard toss to receiver Leonard Hankerson.
Bosher kicked a field goal with 9:40 left in the first half, and, following a three-and-out by UCF, Miami took over on their own 18 yard line.
That drive looked to end in points for the Hurricanes as well, as the offense picked up four first downs in six plays, but UCF's defense stiffened on a first and 10 play from their 32 yard line.
Linebacker Cory Hogue sacked Harris for a loss of six yards. A Miami hurricane penalty on the next play put them at second and 26. Following a Mike James rush for one yard, Harris was sacked again on third down by defensive end Jarvis Geathers, running Miami back to their own 43 and setting up fourth and 35.
Miami's first possession of the second half was a three play, 51-yard touchdown drive capped off by a Javarris James rush for five yards and the score.
UCF responded in kind on their next possession, however, as quarterback Brett Hodges led the Knights 80 yards downfield in just nine plays, ending the drive with an eight yard pass to receiver Rocky Ross in the end zone. The Knights had again closed the gap to 10 with 9:10 left in the third quarter.
The Knights' defense continued to pressure the passing game on Miami's next possession, sacking Harris and then forcing two incomplete passes. On fourth down, the ball sailed over Bosher's head. Bosher raced after the ball and kicked it out of the end zone.
The penalty for illegal kicking gave UCF the ball on Miami's two yard line, setting up what should have been an easy scoring opportunity. Brynn Harvey was hit in the backfield for a loss of four on first down, and an incomplete Hodges pass on second down made it third down.
Disaster struck then, as Hodges dropped back to pass. A hit from Miami defensive back Jared Campbell not only forced an errant throw, but Hodges wound up injured as well. Miami linebacker Colin McCarthy intercepted the bad throw at the 10 and returned it nine yards.
"I was hurting pretty good there. I got blind-sided and hit pretty good," Hodges said. O'Leary called the play "the turning point of the game."
Bosher kicked his second field goal of the night on Miami's next possession, and the Knights went into the fourth quarter down 20-7.
Miami only attempted three passes in the fourth quarter, letting James Berry and Lee Chambers run the ball to burn clock. Miami's final possession of the game took over seven minutes the Knights desperately needed to come back.
UCF's final possession started with just 48 seconds on the clock, and ended with a Rob Calabrese pass to Brendan Kelly as time ran out following the completion.
UCF's next game is Oct. 24 in Houston as they take on the Rice Owls (0-7, 0-3 C-USA). This will mark the Knights' first Conference USA game since their win over Memphis on Oct. 3.