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UCF at Navy: Preview, How to Watch, TV, Predictions, and Keys to the Game

The Knights open conference play with a new QB at Navy

Mikey Keene starts at QB for UCF against Navy Saturday
Photo: Derek Warden

The UCF Knights (2-1) open conference play for 2021 against the Navy Midshipmen in Annapolis. After a bye week following their heartbreaking loss at Louisville, the Knights are looking to freshman QB Mikey Keene to run the show in place of the injured Dillon Gabriel.

Let’s get ready:


Game Day Guide

When: 3:30 p.m. ET

Where: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Maryland

Line: UCF -16 (84% of the money), Over/under 52.5 (OddsShark)

How to Watch

TV: CBS Sports Network

Stream: CBS Sports Network

Crew: Chick Hernandez, Randy Cross

Series

All-time: UCF leads 2-0.

Last Meeting: 2018 - UCF 35, Navy 24


Keys to the Game

When UCF Has the Ball

This is going to be about getting Mikey Keene some material game experience and work on creating chemistry with his skilled position players against a defense that doesn't play for UCF. Expect a low pressure, simple offensive strategy that might become slightly more complicated as the game wears on. UCF's running backs are going to need to play a big role in keeping Keene as more of a game manager in his first ever collegiate start.

UCF’s Key Players to Watch

  • #11 QB Mikey Keene — Making first career start, 4/7, 55 yards, 1 TD in 2021
  • #25 RB Johnny Richardson — 134 yards, 8.9 ypc in 2021

Navy’s Key Players to Watch

  • #54 LB Diego Fagot - 28 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack
  • #7 S Kevin Brennan - 12 tackles, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery

When Navy Has the Ball

Navy runs the triple option, so they're all about the run. They do pass from time to time and historically, UCF has been burned by selling too much against the run. Still, expect a lot of quarterback runs off-tackle with pitches to the trailing backs.

Navy’s Key Players to Watch

  • #7 QB Xavier Airline - Team’s leading rusher. 51 attempts, 171 yards, 2 touchdowns. Passing - 5/14, 109 yards, 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
  • #37 FB James Harris - 30 attempts, 144 yards, 0 touchdowns

UCF’s Key Players to Watch

  • #22 DL Kalia Davis — 13 tackles, 3 tackles for loss in 2021
  • #11 LB Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste — 17 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 QB hurry in 2021

Podcast

Listen to our latest podcast as we preview the game:

Predictions

Get our takes on today’s game in this week’s Roundtable:

Who ya got?

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