/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69808070/1175957247.0.jpg)
We’re back! UCF Knights football kicks off tonight with one of the most highly-anticipated openers of not only this season, but in UCF history, with the Boise State Broncos coming to town for the first time ever. Let’s get ready:
Game Day Guide
When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: The Bounce House
Line: UCF -6, Over/under 68 (OddsShark)
How to Watch
TV: ESPN
Stream: ESPN+
Crew: Matt Barrie (play-by-play), Roddy Jones (analyst) and Harry Lyles, Jr. (sideline)
Series
All-time: First-ever meeting.
Keys to the Game
When UCF Has the Ball
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22822513/usa_today_15240292.jpg)
Expect to still see a quick tempo, but without the constant home run throw. Gus Malzahn wrote the book on the no-huddle offense and we expect to see a continuation of that. The Knights are going to be more balanced than last year with Dillon Gabriel throwing more over the short and middle thirds of the field and Isaiah Bowser wearing down the defense on the ground.
UCF’s Key Players to Watch
- #11 QB Dillon Gabriel — 2020: 60%, 3,570 yards, 32 TD/4 INT
- #1 WR Jaylon Robinson — 2020: 55 catches, 979 yards, 6 TDs
Boise State’s Key Players to Watch
- #28 DB Kekaula Kaniho — 2020: 32 tackles, 7 PBUs
- #44 LB Riley Whimpey — 2020: 61 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 1 sack, 2 PBUs
When Boise State Has the Ball
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22822511/1292311589.jpg)
Boise State is going to try and get the ball into Khalil Shakir’s hands one way or another. Hank Bachmeier is a quarterback that has already shown he is not intimidated by playing in the state of Florida. While this is a new team with new head coach Andy Avalos, expect the Broncos to rely on Bachmeier’s arm against a UCF secondary that was much maligned last year.
Boise State’s Key Players to Watch
- #19 QB Hank Bachmeier — 2020: 61.5%, 1150 yards, 6 TD/2 INT
- #2 WR Khalil Shakir — 2020: 52 catches, 719 yards, 6 TDs
UCF’s Key Players to Watch
- #1 DE/LB Big Kat Bryant — 17 tackles, 3 TFLs, 3 sacks, 1 INT, 4 QB hurries
- #10 LB Eriq Gilyard — 2020: 59 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT, 3 fumbles forced
Podcast
Listen to our latest podcast as we preview the game:
Predictions
Who ya got?
Alright Knight Nation: Who ya got?#ucftwittermafia #ChargeOn #GKCO #UCF
— Black & Gold Banneret (@UCF_Banneret) September 2, 2021
Follow Along LIVE!
Follow our Twitter List and interact here:
Black & Gold Banneret has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.