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For all of the fireworks the offense has been putting up the last three seasons, tonight in Boca Raton, the only thing more oppressive than the heat was the UCF Knights’ defense. Randy Shannon’s unit was sublime, holding FAU and Lane Kiffin’s offense to 3.6 yards per play en route to a 48-14 romp that was mercifully called with 4:20 left due to lightning.
Highlights
Postgame Reaction
Heupel talks about why Dillon Gabriel started -- and why Brandon Wimbush didn't play -- tonight. #UCF pic.twitter.com/87WBcrEt1R
— Brian Murphy (@Spokes_Murphy) September 8, 2019
Dillon Gabriel gave his thoughts on getting his first collegiate start.
— Brian Murphy (@Spokes_Murphy) September 8, 2019
In short: No big deal. #UCF pic.twitter.com/AxHTGldBV5
Defensive end Landon Woodson said burning of the Knightro effigy made this game personal. "It just surprised me. I was just flabbergasted." #UCF pic.twitter.com/o9xJ9odxAP
— Brian Murphy (@Spokes_Murphy) September 8, 2019
Four Downs
- The UCF Defense was spectacular. FAU QB Chris Robison was just 18/40 for 177 yards, but spent much of his night on the run from pursuing UCF defenders. The Knights’ defense recorded 16 tackles for loss, five sacks and five QB hurries, mostly due to a total clinic in pass coverage and an average of 2.8 yards per rush given up. FAU ran 87 plays and scored 14 points.
- Dillon Gabriel started great, but cooled off. In his first career start, Gabriel hit three of his first six for 105 yards and a TD to Jacob Harris, but then hit only four of his next 13, including an 0/5 spot in the second quarter. Still, he finished with 245 yards through the air on just seven completions, two TDs and no picks. Thats...not bad!
- The running game carried the day. With Gabriel struggling, Josh Heupel turned to the running game in the second quarter, and it worked. A 12-play, 84-yard, four-minute drive ended with an Adrian Killins TD, and it was all downhill from there. UCF finished with 312 yards on 47 carries (6.6 yards per rush) and five TDs, each by a different player.
- You burn our mascot, we burn your scoreboard. In retrospect, this might not have been wise, Owls:
Burning in Paradise? #FAU students #BurnTheKnight ahead of Saturday's game against #UCF.
— Jason Beede (@therealBeede) September 7, 2019
CC: @UCF_Knightro pic.twitter.com/NjkmvW1HP9
Stats of the Game
According to CBS Sports Network’s telecast, Dillon Gabriel’s 245 yards on 7 completions was the most passing yards on the fewest completions for a QB since 2003. #UCF
— Black & Gold Banneret (@UCF_Banneret) September 8, 2019
Across 29 possessions so far this season, #UCF’s defense has done the following:
— Jeff Sharon (@Jeff_Sharon) September 8, 2019
- 23 punts forced
- 4 FG attempts forced (2/4)
- 1 TD allowed
- 1 INT
Highlight of the Game
We’d like to show you 5-7 Adrian Killins running over, around and through FAU’s defense on this TD run:
Adrian Killins Jr. will not be denied from the END ZONE!@UCF_Football 21 FAU 0 pic.twitter.com/pM5XmdGAhx
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) September 8, 2019
Knights of the Night
Adrian Killins. Nine carries, 35 yards, and a TD. One catch, 74 yards, and a TD. Pick your poison.
Eric Mitchell. 9 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. FOr a defense that would not let FAU get a word in edgewise, Mitchell was all over the place.
“Helluva job, great effort playing for 60 minutes...56 minutes”
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) September 8, 2019
Here’s who got our game s vs. FAU pic.twitter.com/ch26k1RaPh
Aaron Robinson. Seven tackles, plus one for loss, and two passes broken up. How about it for the kid who ledt last year’s opener on the opening kickoff? In Bam Moore’s stead, he and Tay Gowan, who recorded an interception, were excellent.
Who’s Got Next?
Stanford. Next Saturday. 3:30 p.m.