ORLANDO, Fla. -- The University of Central Florida Knights closed out their home season with a 49-0 thrashing of the Tulane Green Wave in front of an announced crowd of 31,390 at Bright House Networks Stadium Saturday afternoon.The Knights' offense, defense, and special teams all did their part to send the departing seniors out with a win.
The offense racked up seven total touchdowns, including four in the third quarter. UCF had not scored 28 points in a quarter since Sept. 22, 2007 against Memphis.
The defense could have given the vaunted Florida Gators' defense fits, holding Tulane to -30 yards rushing and 50 total offensive yards on 51 plays in the game.
The kicking game was a perfect 7 of 7 on extra points by Nick Cattoi and Jamie Boyle, and the punt coverage team forced a fumble which gave UCF possession on the Tulane 22 and set up a score for the offense.
"Each week we are getting better as a team. I feel we did a lot of good things on offense and defense and in the kicking game. I was very pleased with the execution of the team, and being able to put that many points on the board," said UCF head coach George O'Leary.
Knights quarterback Brett Hodges went 19 of 28 for 234 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Rob Calabrese, who relieved Hodges at the start of the fourth quarter, only threw one pass for a 6-yard touchdown reception by Brendan Kelly.
"Brett Hodges did an excellent job at making his reads," O'Leary said.
UCF's running backs did their part too, with Brynn Harvey scoring three touchdowns while gaining 129 yards on 16 carries, including a 50-yard score on UCF's opening drive. Johnathan Davis also had 16 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown with 47 seconds left in the third quarter.
"Brynn Harvey and Jonathan Davis both had great games running the ball," O'Leary said. "Harvey made a few reads in the first half where he was cutting too early, but as the game progressed, he made some excellent cuts and got through the hole."
The Knights were not perfect on offense, however, as a 13-play, 65-yard drive ended with a Hodges pass being picked off by Tulane cornerback Phillip Davis in the end zone.
UCF's offense was back on the field six plays later though, as Reggie Weams intercepted Ryan Griffin in the end zone.
The Knights got their second quarter touchdown after Tulane punter Ross Thevenot bobbled the ball while trying to punt. Running back Ronnie Weaver fell on the ball at the Tulane 3. Harvey ran it in two plays later from 2 yards out, giving the Knights a 14-0 lead with 1:31 left in the first half.
Tulane got the ball to start the second half, but Griffin was sacked by Justin Boddie and lost the ball. Senior defensive tackle Travis Timmons scooped the loose ball up and ran for 10 yards to the Tulane 13.
Harvey got the third quarter scoring bonanza started by crossing the goal line on another 2-yard run.
Griffin had another pass intercepted on Tulane's next possession, this time by freshman corner Josh Robinson who brought it to the Tulane 29 before being forced out of bounds.
Hodges connected with receiver Kamar Aiken for a 29-yard score on the next play, giving UCF a 28-0 lead with 10:37 left in the third.
"Brett is going to keep looking for me," Aiken said. "Brett told me in the first half to keep running my routes and he would find me. He did that and kept coming to me."
Kemal Ishmael forced a Jordan Sullen fumble on the ensuing kickoff and Weaver had another fumble recovery. Hodges and Aiken connected again two plays later on a 16-yard throw. Boyle came in to kick the extra point. UCF had scored 21 points in less than three minutes.
UCF's final third quarter score came after a 14-play, 97-yard drive that took nearly seven minutes off the clock. Davis, who had an earlier touchdown called back on a holding penalty, capped the drive off with a 9-yard run for six. Boyle's extra point made it 42-0 with less than a minute left in the third.
Tulane benched Griffin in favor of Joe Kemp at quarterback, though Kemp was not able to start anything for Tulane's offense. Kevin Moore was inserted at quarterback for Tulane's final possession.
"I was very happy for our seniors," O'Leary said. "It was an awesome game for them to come out and all get in there and pitch the shutout."
UCF's final game of the season is Nov. 28 at UAB. UCF's likely bowl destinations are the St. Petersburg Bowl, the EagleBank Bowl, and the New Orleans Bowl, with a possibility of the Hawaii Bowl or the Armed Forces Bowl.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Knights clinch bowl bid with first win against ranked team
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The University of Central Florida Knights defeated No. 13 Houston 37-32 in front of an announced crowd of 34,437 at Bright House Networks Stadium Saturday afternoon.
The victory marks the first time UCF has beaten a ranked opponent in 30 years of football, and also gave UCF the requisite six wins needed to be considered bowl eligible.
"It was a great win for our players and being able to stay in the hunt. My hat's off to the players for getting the win and becoming bowl eligible. The players and coaches alike are both ecstatic about the win," UCF head coach George O'Leary said. ""It's definitely a huge game, but it's even bigger because it was a conference game."Senior quarterback Brett Hodges outplayed Houston's Case Keenum, completing 21 of 25 pass attempts for 241 yards and one touchdown.
"It is huge for us now that we are bowl eligible and huge for us to keep our conference championship hopes alive. It really was a team effort today and a huge win," Hodges said.
Keenum, who had been considered a Heisman Trophy candidate going into Saturday's game, completed 33 of 57 attempts for 377 yards and one touchdown and one interception.
Sophomore running back Brynn Harvey ran for 149 yards on 35 attempts and scored three touchdowns.
Houston (8-2, 4-2 Conference-USA) struck first with a field goal and a 51-yard touchdown pass from Keenum to Tyron Carrier, showing the explosive potential of a Cougars offense that had posted over 500 yards in its past two games.
UCF (6-4, 4-2 C-USA) stuck to the game plan of offensive ball control at the start of the second quarter, orchestrating a 15-play, 62-yard drive that took over eight minutes off the clock and resulted in a 35-yard Nick Cattoi field goal to make the score 10-3.
"I thought we would definitely have a shot if we could just control the clock and move the ball on them," O'Leary said.
Houston showed special teams prowess on the ensuing kickoff, as return man Devin Mays took the ball 100 yards for a quick score.
UCF maintained their composure, however, as they put together another long scoring drive, this one 10 plays for 62 yards that also took more than five minutes off the clock. Freshman running back Johnathan Davis capped the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run, and Cattoi's extra point brought the Knights to within seven again.
The teams went into the locker room with the score 17-10 at halftime.
"We held them to only four plays in the second quarter, and that is essential against a team that averages 100 or so plays a game," O'Leary said.
UCF again proved to be a second half team, as their first drive of the third quarter went 51 yards in eight plays. Harvey scored on a 1-yard run, but Cattoi's extra point was blocked by Cougars wide receiver L.J. Castille, leaving UCF one point short of the tie at 17-16.
The Knights' defense forced a three-and-out for Houston, and the offense took over on their own 15.
Hodges showed his own quick-strike abilities with a 27-yard rocket to freshman Quincy McDuffie. Two plays later, Knights fans may have had flashbacks to the Kevin Smith era as the offensive line opened a huge hole for Harvey, who ran for 41 yards and six points on the play. Cattoi's extra point was good, and the Knights had a six-point lead with 5:06 left in the third quarter.
Houston started the fourth quarter on UCF's 4-yard line, but an incomplete Keenum pass forced a 21-yard Matt Hogan field goal.
UCF's next drive was an 11-play, 79-yard drive that took nearly six minutes off the clock. Hodges and McDuffie connected for a 24-yard score and, following Cattoi's extra point, a 10-point lead with 9:03 left in the game.
"That was the plan going in, and it really just came down to execution," Hodges said about his team's ability to put so many long drives together. "We controlled the ball because we executed."
The Knights' defense forced a key turnover for the second game in a row as junior cornerback Justin Boddie picked Keenum off and returned the ball to Houston's 7-yard line. Harvey ran the ball the remaining 7 yards on the next play, giving UCF a commanding 17-point lead with 8:27 left to play.
The Cougars were able to put together two consecutive scoring drives late, with Carrier catching a 31-yard Keenum pass for six and Chaz Rodriguez bringing in a 15-yard Keenum pass for a touchdown.
Both scores were marred by failures to add points, however, as Hogan missed an extra point and Keenum failed to complete a pass for two points, respectively.
An onside kick attempt failed and, with 8 seconds left, UCF took a knee to seal their historic victory.
"This was a total team victory. Coach [Charlie] Taaffe, his staff and those offensive kids fought their butts off. Our special teams gave us great field position. This was just a total team victory and an amazing win for our program," said UCF defensive coordinator Dave Huxtable.
UCF's next game is at home against the Tulane Green Wave (3-7, 1-5 C-USA) Nov. 21. It will be the final home contest of the regular season for the Knights, who close out the year Nov. 28 at UAB (5-5, 4-2 C-USA).
The victory marks the first time UCF has beaten a ranked opponent in 30 years of football, and also gave UCF the requisite six wins needed to be considered bowl eligible.
"It was a great win for our players and being able to stay in the hunt. My hat's off to the players for getting the win and becoming bowl eligible. The players and coaches alike are both ecstatic about the win," UCF head coach George O'Leary said. ""It's definitely a huge game, but it's even bigger because it was a conference game."Senior quarterback Brett Hodges outplayed Houston's Case Keenum, completing 21 of 25 pass attempts for 241 yards and one touchdown.
"It is huge for us now that we are bowl eligible and huge for us to keep our conference championship hopes alive. It really was a team effort today and a huge win," Hodges said.
Keenum, who had been considered a Heisman Trophy candidate going into Saturday's game, completed 33 of 57 attempts for 377 yards and one touchdown and one interception.
Sophomore running back Brynn Harvey ran for 149 yards on 35 attempts and scored three touchdowns.
Houston (8-2, 4-2 Conference-USA) struck first with a field goal and a 51-yard touchdown pass from Keenum to Tyron Carrier, showing the explosive potential of a Cougars offense that had posted over 500 yards in its past two games.
UCF (6-4, 4-2 C-USA) stuck to the game plan of offensive ball control at the start of the second quarter, orchestrating a 15-play, 62-yard drive that took over eight minutes off the clock and resulted in a 35-yard Nick Cattoi field goal to make the score 10-3.
"I thought we would definitely have a shot if we could just control the clock and move the ball on them," O'Leary said.
Houston showed special teams prowess on the ensuing kickoff, as return man Devin Mays took the ball 100 yards for a quick score.
UCF maintained their composure, however, as they put together another long scoring drive, this one 10 plays for 62 yards that also took more than five minutes off the clock. Freshman running back Johnathan Davis capped the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run, and Cattoi's extra point brought the Knights to within seven again.
The teams went into the locker room with the score 17-10 at halftime.
"We held them to only four plays in the second quarter, and that is essential against a team that averages 100 or so plays a game," O'Leary said.
UCF again proved to be a second half team, as their first drive of the third quarter went 51 yards in eight plays. Harvey scored on a 1-yard run, but Cattoi's extra point was blocked by Cougars wide receiver L.J. Castille, leaving UCF one point short of the tie at 17-16.
The Knights' defense forced a three-and-out for Houston, and the offense took over on their own 15.
Hodges showed his own quick-strike abilities with a 27-yard rocket to freshman Quincy McDuffie. Two plays later, Knights fans may have had flashbacks to the Kevin Smith era as the offensive line opened a huge hole for Harvey, who ran for 41 yards and six points on the play. Cattoi's extra point was good, and the Knights had a six-point lead with 5:06 left in the third quarter.
Houston started the fourth quarter on UCF's 4-yard line, but an incomplete Keenum pass forced a 21-yard Matt Hogan field goal.
UCF's next drive was an 11-play, 79-yard drive that took nearly six minutes off the clock. Hodges and McDuffie connected for a 24-yard score and, following Cattoi's extra point, a 10-point lead with 9:03 left in the game.
"That was the plan going in, and it really just came down to execution," Hodges said about his team's ability to put so many long drives together. "We controlled the ball because we executed."
The Knights' defense forced a key turnover for the second game in a row as junior cornerback Justin Boddie picked Keenum off and returned the ball to Houston's 7-yard line. Harvey ran the ball the remaining 7 yards on the next play, giving UCF a commanding 17-point lead with 8:27 left to play.
The Cougars were able to put together two consecutive scoring drives late, with Carrier catching a 31-yard Keenum pass for six and Chaz Rodriguez bringing in a 15-yard Keenum pass for a touchdown.
Both scores were marred by failures to add points, however, as Hogan missed an extra point and Keenum failed to complete a pass for two points, respectively.
An onside kick attempt failed and, with 8 seconds left, UCF took a knee to seal their historic victory.
"This was a total team victory. Coach [Charlie] Taaffe, his staff and those offensive kids fought their butts off. Our special teams gave us great field position. This was just a total team victory and an amazing win for our program," said UCF defensive coordinator Dave Huxtable.
UCF's next game is at home against the Tulane Green Wave (3-7, 1-5 C-USA) Nov. 21. It will be the final home contest of the regular season for the Knights, who close out the year Nov. 28 at UAB (5-5, 4-2 C-USA).
Monday, November 2, 2009
Knights squeak by Herd in last-minute win
ORLANDO, Fla. — The University of Central Florida Knights eked out a literal last-minute 21-20 victory against the Marshall Thundering Herd in front of an announced crowd of 35,676 at Bright House Networks Stadium in a crucial Conference USA match-up Sunday night.
“It wasn’t pretty but it’s a good win, a good team win. It’s a 60-minute game for a reason," said UCF head coach George O'Leary. “Anytime you get a win against a 5-3 football team, I think it’s a good win. It’s a good conference win.”
The Knights struggled offensively through three quarters of play and trailed 20-7 going into the fourth quarter, but a late Brynn Harvey rushing touchdown and a touchdown pass from Brett Hodges to Rocky Ross with just 23 seconds left in the game propelled UCF to victory over their division rival.The fourth quarter rally began when UCF took possession with 10:16 left in the game on Marshall's 43. Hodges connected with Ricky Kay for 16 yards and a Harvey run for three yards brough UCF to the 24.
Two incomplete passes later and the Knights were looking at 4th and 7. Hodges threw a 21-yard pass to Ross, putting UCF on Marshall's 3. Two plays later, Harvey's run and a Nick Cattoi extra point brought the Knights to within six of Marshall with 7:45 left to play.
The Knights' defense forced a Marshall three-and-out and, following a Kase Whitehead punt for 50 yards, UCF took over on their own 33.
UCF again faced a fourth down situation seven plays later, this time from Marshall's 18. Hodges' pass to receiver A.J. Guyton fell incomplete, however, and Marshall took over on downs.
Darius Marshall ran for four yards and an offisdes penalty against UCF moved Marshall to second and 1. Marshall quarterback Brian Anderson called his own number and rushed for two yards, but UCF defensive end Bruce Miller ripped the ball from Anderson's hands and cornerback Josh Robinson fell on it, giving UCF a first and 10 on Marshall's 30.
Miller also recorded 2.5 sacks in the game and earned C-USA defensive player of the week.
“He’s like every good pass rusher: they’re always great second effort players," O'Leary said about Miller. "He was on the sideline saying ‘Just hold him up, I’ll get it out,’ and he did.”
"Somebody just had to make a play and fortunately I was in a position where I could get the ball out, and that is what happened," Miller said.
From third and 10 on Marshall's 20, Hodges completed a 19-yard pass to Kamar Aiken. The next play was Ross' one yard reception to tie the game at 20. Cattoi's extra point was the go-ahead score.
“I was worried about running [the ball], not making it, and then clock, clock, clock. We had no timeouts left. You say we should have time to run another play, but it would have been hurried. They didn’t even cover [Ross]. There was no one on him," O'Leary said.
"It was a little play action sprint play," Hodges said. "I walked up to the line at first and nobody was guarding [Ross]. It confused me a little bit and I was wondering if they were tricking me. We sent A.J. [Guyton] in motion and [Ross] was still open so I just put a nice little touch pass out there for him."
Both teams were scoreless in the first quarter. Marshall struck first with a seven play, 91 yard drive capped off by an Anderson pass to Cody Slate for four yards.
UCF was able to respond on their next drive, an eight play, 72-yarder capped by a four yard Hodges pass to Aiken. Cattoi's extra point tied the game at 7 all with 7:51 left in the first half.
Marshall (5-4, 3-2 C-USA) regained the lead following their next possession as kicker Cra Ratanamorn scored a field goal from 30 yards.
The Herd scored a second touchdown in the second quarter as Marshall ran into the end zone from three yards out, giving the Herd a 10 point advantage going into halftime.
Ratanamorn kicked a second field goal with 3:25 left in the third quarter, following a nine play, 32 yard drive.
UCF's (5-3, 3-2 C-USA) next game is Nov. 7 when the Knights travel to No. 2 Texas (8-0, 5-0 Big 12).
“It wasn’t pretty but it’s a good win, a good team win. It’s a 60-minute game for a reason," said UCF head coach George O'Leary. “Anytime you get a win against a 5-3 football team, I think it’s a good win. It’s a good conference win.”
The Knights struggled offensively through three quarters of play and trailed 20-7 going into the fourth quarter, but a late Brynn Harvey rushing touchdown and a touchdown pass from Brett Hodges to Rocky Ross with just 23 seconds left in the game propelled UCF to victory over their division rival.The fourth quarter rally began when UCF took possession with 10:16 left in the game on Marshall's 43. Hodges connected with Ricky Kay for 16 yards and a Harvey run for three yards brough UCF to the 24.
Two incomplete passes later and the Knights were looking at 4th and 7. Hodges threw a 21-yard pass to Ross, putting UCF on Marshall's 3. Two plays later, Harvey's run and a Nick Cattoi extra point brought the Knights to within six of Marshall with 7:45 left to play.
The Knights' defense forced a Marshall three-and-out and, following a Kase Whitehead punt for 50 yards, UCF took over on their own 33.
UCF again faced a fourth down situation seven plays later, this time from Marshall's 18. Hodges' pass to receiver A.J. Guyton fell incomplete, however, and Marshall took over on downs.
Darius Marshall ran for four yards and an offisdes penalty against UCF moved Marshall to second and 1. Marshall quarterback Brian Anderson called his own number and rushed for two yards, but UCF defensive end Bruce Miller ripped the ball from Anderson's hands and cornerback Josh Robinson fell on it, giving UCF a first and 10 on Marshall's 30.
Miller also recorded 2.5 sacks in the game and earned C-USA defensive player of the week.
“He’s like every good pass rusher: they’re always great second effort players," O'Leary said about Miller. "He was on the sideline saying ‘Just hold him up, I’ll get it out,’ and he did.”
"Somebody just had to make a play and fortunately I was in a position where I could get the ball out, and that is what happened," Miller said.
From third and 10 on Marshall's 20, Hodges completed a 19-yard pass to Kamar Aiken. The next play was Ross' one yard reception to tie the game at 20. Cattoi's extra point was the go-ahead score.
“I was worried about running [the ball], not making it, and then clock, clock, clock. We had no timeouts left. You say we should have time to run another play, but it would have been hurried. They didn’t even cover [Ross]. There was no one on him," O'Leary said.
"It was a little play action sprint play," Hodges said. "I walked up to the line at first and nobody was guarding [Ross]. It confused me a little bit and I was wondering if they were tricking me. We sent A.J. [Guyton] in motion and [Ross] was still open so I just put a nice little touch pass out there for him."
Both teams were scoreless in the first quarter. Marshall struck first with a seven play, 91 yard drive capped off by an Anderson pass to Cody Slate for four yards.
UCF was able to respond on their next drive, an eight play, 72-yarder capped by a four yard Hodges pass to Aiken. Cattoi's extra point tied the game at 7 all with 7:51 left in the first half.
Marshall (5-4, 3-2 C-USA) regained the lead following their next possession as kicker Cra Ratanamorn scored a field goal from 30 yards.
The Herd scored a second touchdown in the second quarter as Marshall ran into the end zone from three yards out, giving the Herd a 10 point advantage going into halftime.
Ratanamorn kicked a second field goal with 3:25 left in the third quarter, following a nine play, 32 yard drive.
UCF's (5-3, 3-2 C-USA) next game is Nov. 7 when the Knights travel to No. 2 Texas (8-0, 5-0 Big 12).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)