Knights’ Defense Dominates in Win Over Maryland

The University of Central Florida won its first game against a Power Five team since beating Baylor University in the 2014 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

By
Ryan Weiss
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4
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University of Central Florida running back Taj McGowan runs the ball during a 61-17 win over the FIU Panthers at Spectrum Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017. (Photo by Adrian J. Hernandez / New Day Review)
(Photo by Adrian J. Hernandez / New Day Review)

Game Recap

Playing its first game in 23 days, the University of Central Florida’s defense dominated the University of Maryland’s high-powered offense in a 38-10 victory Saturday afternoon at Maryland Stadium. The Knights (2-0) held the nation’s second-highest scoring offense in the country to three points and 87 total yards in the first half and 197 total yards for the game.

Coming into the game, a high-scoring matchup between the No. 1 and No. 2 scoring offenses in the NCAA was expected. Instead, UCF’s defense held Maryland (2-1) in check for most of the game. Maryland came into the game averaging 57 points per game and 508 yards per game with 315 of those coming on the ground. The Knights held the Terrapins to 42 yards on the ground on 31 carries. In the first half Maryland was 0-for-6 on third down and would finish 3-for-13.

Part of the defensive success for UCF can be attributed to a first-quarter injury to freshman starting quarterback Kasim Hill. Sophomore Max Bortenschlager replaced Hill, and, with Hill’s rushing threat eliminated, the UCF defense became more aggressive.

UCF would take advantage of Bortenschlager’s limited mobility. The defense finished the game with four sacks and two interceptions, including junior cornerback Mike Hughes’ pick-six midway through the fourth quarter.

On the first drive of the game, sophomore starting running back Jawon Hamilton suffered a leg injury that would keep him out for the rest of the game. The Knights would utilize Taj McGowan and Adrian Killins, as McGowan would score twice and Killins once.

After a slow start by the UCF offense, the first touchdown drive of the game was ignited by the run game, as six of the nine plays on the drive were rushing. Apart from one Maryland touchdown, the Knights’ defense never looked back.

Player of the Game: Jordan Akins

After a lower-back injury sidelined tight end Jordan Akins, the senior made big plays in the second half. Akins was consistently open down the seam of the field. After a Maryland touchdown made it a two-score game, Akins would score the team’s next touchdown to help put the game away.

What’s Next?

UCF will open American Athletic Conference play against the University of Memphis on Sept. 30. The game was originally scheduled for Sept. 9 but was rescheduled because of Hurricane Irma’s impact.

Running Back Taj McGowan Suffers Game-ending Leg Injury in 1st Quarter

On the fourth play of the game, Hamilton went down with a left-leg injury. Hamilton was in immediate pain and had to be taken to the locker room on a stretcher. UCF has not specified what the injury is, but it appeared to be knee-related.

McKenzie Milton Doesn’t Commit Any Turnovers in 2nd Bout with Maryland

While not playing well as he did against Florida International University, Milton still put on a show. He threw for 178 yards and a touchdown on 18-for-30 passing and rushed for 94 yards on six carries, including a 55-yard rush in the third quarter. The sophomore also didn’t commit any turnovers. Last season, in his first collegiate start against Maryland, Milton fumbled six times, losing three, and threw an interception.

Highlights

NDR Notes

  • McGowan had the first multiple-touchdown game of his career with two touchdowns in the win over Maryland.
  • Kyle Gibson caught his first-career interception.
  • Milton’s 55-yard run is the second-longest of his career behind his 63-yard run last season against the University of Temple.
  • Hughes’ interception return for a touchdown was his first in the FBS.
  • This was UCF’s first win over a Power Five team since defeating Baylor University 52-42 in the 2014 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

Scoring

Time Team Play PAT Score
Q1, 12:43 University of Maryland Henry Darmstadter, 34-yard FG n/a 3-0, UM
Q2, 13:42 University of Central Florida Taj McGowan, 1-yard run GOOD 7-3, UCF
Q2, 3:49 University of Central Florida Taj McGowan, 3-yard run GOOD 14-3, UCF
Q3, 10:17 University of Central Florida McKenzie Milton to Jordan Akins, 6-yard pass GOOD 21-3, UCF
Q3, 2:04 University of Maryland Max Bortenschlager to D.J. Moore, 20-yard pass GOOD 21-10, UCF
Q4, 12:37 University of Central Florida Matthew Wright, 20-yard FG n/a 24-10, UCF
Q4, 7:29 University of Central Florida Adrain Killins, 15-yard run GOOD 31-10, UCF
Q4, 5:11 University of Central Florida Mike Hughes, 57-yard pick-six GOOD 38-10, UCF

Statistics

Passing

Player Team Completed Attempted Yards Touchdowns Interceptions
McKenzie Milton University of Central Florida 18 30 178 1 0
Kasim Hill University of Maryland 2 2 23 0 0
Max Bortenschlager University of Maryland 15 26 132 1 2

Rushing

Player Team Rushes Yards Yards/Rush Touchdowns Long
Taj McGowan University of Central Florida 12 33 2.8 2 7
Adrian Killins University of Central Florida 7 46 6.8 1 18
McKenzie Milton University of Central Florida 5 94 17.6 0 55
Ty Johnson University of Maryland 11 25 2.3 0 13
Lorenzo Harrison III University of Maryland 10 48 4.8 0 14

Receiving

Player Team Catches Yards Yards/Catch Touchdown Long
Tre’Quan Smith University of Central Florida 4 29 7.3 0 13
Michael Colubiable University of Central Florida 2 39 19.5 0 32
Jordan Akins University of Central Florida 3 57 19 1 29
D.J. Moore University of Maryland 8 83 10.3 0 20

For more on the Knights, as they look to start conference play with a win, follow Ryan Weiss on Twitter at @NDR_RyanWeiss.

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