Dr. Blackwell's BLOG

The UCF Knights (2-0; 0-0 Big XII) dominated both sides of the ball Saturday with a sold-out, rain soaked-filled FBS Mortgage Stadium. Per UCF Athletics:

 ORLANDO – Saturday’s game was delayed 30 minutes due to lightning in the area, but that didn’t have any impact on a hot start for UCF, as the Knights scored on six of their first seven drives to earn a 45-14 victory against Sam Houston at FBC Mortgage Stadium.

For the second consecutive game, the Black and Gold compiled more than 550 yards of total offense, including 384 rushing yards. Defensively, UCF forced two turnovers and held Sam Houston to just 67 rushing yards.

UCF has now opened the season with a 2-0 record in three of Malzahn’s four seasons in Orlando. Saturday’s game also marked the 200th FBS win for the Knights as a program since making the transition from FCS in 1996.

Knights running back RJ Harvey tied the program record and set a career high with four rushing touchdowns, while surpassing 100 yards rushing for the 10th time in his career. The Orlando native finished with 126 rushing yards on 19 carries, finding the end zone four times – the first player to do so since Isaiah Bowser in 2021.

The preseason Doak Walker Award Watch List honoree recorded the first two touchdowns of the game, scoring from 19 yards out and on a two-yard rush to cap 80-yard and 76-yard drives, respectively.

For the third time in his career, UCF kicker Colton Boomer booted a 50-yard field goal as he split the uprights to extend the Knights’ early advantage to 17-0 in the second quarter. The Lake Mary native had a pair of 50-yarders in the Boise State game last season, including the game-winner.

KJ Jefferson led the offense from his quarterback position, going 12-for-15 passing for 169 yards. He also rushed for 50 yards on nine attempts. Wide receiver Kobe Hudson reeled in 104 of those, eclipsing the 100-yard receiving mark for the sixth time in his career.

Defensively, the Black and Gold were dominant throughout the game, limiting the Bearkats to 118 yards and just 16 rushing at halftime. In comparison, UCF had already rushed for 243 yards and Harvey accounted for 115 yards on 16 carries with three rushing touchdowns in the first 30 minutes.

The Knights tallied two interceptions for the second straight game, as Mac McWilliams and Sheldon Arnoldeach came down with their first interceptions in a UCF uniform.

Quadric Bullard, Nyjalik Kelly and Xe’ree Alexander led the defensive effort each with six tackles. Kelly notched the Knights’ first sack of the season, forced a fumble and had a pass breakup.

UCF returns to action next weekend when the Knights travel to TCU to open Big 12 Conference play. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX from Amon G. Carter Stadium.

The UCF Knights (1-0; 0-0 Big XII) knocked off New Hampshire 57-3 (0-1; 0-0 CAA) in front of a sold-out crowd at FBS Mortgage Stadium Thursday night. As reported by UCF Athletics:

After ranking among the nation’s top 10 in rushing offense the past two seasons, the UCF football program is poised to have another strong year on the ground in 2024. The Knights rushed for 454 yards, the second most in program history, Thursday night en route to a 57-3 victory against New Hampshire in the season opener at FBC Mortgage Stadium.

Additionally, UCF’s 8.4 rushing yards per carry are the second most in a single game in program history.  The Black and Gold had eight different players carry the football in the contest with five Knights rushing for at least 40 yards. UCF had 14 rushes of 10 yards or more, headlined by a 60-yard rush from running back RJ Harvey.

“I’m proud of our team. Taking care of business with a convincing win. Looking at the game, I just told the players the thing that stood out to me is only three penalties. We’ve been really focused on not beating ourselves.”GUS MALZAHN UCF FOOTBALL HEAD COACH

In addition to the offense, the Knights’ defense was stellar throughout the contest limiting the Wildcats to just nine first downs. UCF’s aggressive defense forced two interceptions, as linebacker Deshawn Paceswung the momentum in the Knights’ favor early in the second quarter when he jumped in front of Seth Morgan’s pass for his sixth career pick.

Following a pair of Colton Boomer field goals in the first half, Pace nearly recorded a pick six as he was knocked out of bounds at the three-yard line after a 37-yard return. One play later, quarterback KJ Jefferson found the end zone for the Knights’ first touchdown of the season to give UCF a 13-0 lead.

Tabbed as one of the top special teams players in the country by College Football Network last season, Ladarius Tennison raced through the middle of the UNH punt unit to block the attempt and it was recovered by the Wildcats in the endzone for a safety.

From there, the Black and Gold scored 23 points in the second quarter to own a 29-3 lead at halftime behind a pair of rushing TDs from Harvey. The 2024 Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List selection surpassed 100 yards rushing for the third consecutive game dating back to last season and the ninth time in his career. The Orlando native finished with 11 carries for 142 yards, averaging 12.9 yards per rush – second most by an individual in program history.

Following the intermission, UCF forced four consecutive punts to pull away from the Wildcats with 28 points in the third quarter. Making his debut in the Black and Gold, Myles Montgomery notched his first career receiving touchdown on a 49-yard catch from KJ Jefferson. His backfield mate, Peny Boone found the endzone a few minutes with a 59-yard scamper to push the Knights’ advantage to 43-3.

“Defensively, we played a big-time game,” said Malzahn. “I think [Deshawn] Pace’s Interception, that was the one that really turned the game into being able to breathe a little bit. [Ladarius] Tennison had the block punt right there. I mean, he was one of the better special teams players in college football last year, and it showed. Xavier Townsend was big time in the return game.”

Boone had seven rushes for 81 yards and Montgomery logged 77 yards on eight rushes. Johnny Richardsonpitched in with 40 rushing yards and a 22-yard touchdown reception.

Sophomore Antione Jackson came up with the Knights’ second interception of the day and Montgomery quickly turned it into six points for UCF, scoring from 25 yards out. It marked the first time he’s scored a touchdown on the ground and receiving in the same game in his career.

Pace led the defense with five tackles, including three solo, while Braeden Marshall had a great game with four tackles, including two tackles for loss and a pass breakup. Mac McWilliams notched four tackles with a TFL.

UCF returns to action at home next weekend when the Sam Houston Bearkats visit Orlando. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. from FBC Mortgage Stadium on ESPN+.

Photo and story, courtesy UCF Athletics.