(Photo by Adrian J. Hernandez / New Day Review)
The University of Central Florida went into Annapolis, Maryland, on Oct. 21 and faced its biggest challenge of the year so far in the form of the Navy Midshipmen. No. 20 UCF (6-0, 4-0 in American Athletic Conference) passed that challenge and defeated Navy 31-21.
UCF defended the triple-option offense relatively well. While Navy quarterback Zach Abey became the first opposing rusher to run for over 100 yards against the Knights this season, the Knights held the Midshipmen’s No. 1 rushing offense to just 248 yards. Entering the Week 8 matchup, Navy was averaging 397.5 rushing yards per game.
In the win over Navy, it was also the offense’s worst performance of the season, putting up 19 points less than its No. 1-ranking season average. Adrian Killins was the offensive player of the day, showing his game-changing speed on a 79-yard touchdown run that broke a 14-14 tie early in the third quarter. The unit survived an injury scare as well, as McKenzie Milton came up lame with an apparent hamstring injury in the second quarter that sidelined him for the rest of the drive.
Here are the takeaways from UCF’s closest win of the year of the season over Navy.
Knights Defense Disciplined Enough for Win Over Navy
Leading up to the Navy matchup, UCF players and coaches were harping on discipline and assignment football for success against the then-upcoming triple-option offense.
In the first quarter, UCF appeared to have that discipline. After one quarter of play, the Knights had slowed the nation’s No. 1 rushing offense to 36 yards on the ground. Navy finished the game with 248 rushing yards, 149 yards below its season average.
But it wasn’t the run defense that nearly cost the Knights. Breakdowns in UCF’s pass coverage led to 171 yards through the air for Navy, which averaged just 81.8 passing yards per game before the loss to UCF. It was apparent the Knights’ secondary was cheating for the run game, so Navy’ receivers were able to spring loose for big plays. Navy’s longest score of the game was a 75-yard pass down the seam.
UCF Secondary Catches 2 Interceptions on 14 Passes
While the secondary occasionally struggled in the win over Navy, it made plays when needed. Redshirt freshman Brandon Moore had, perhaps, the most crucial defensive play of the game.
The Midshipmen were trailing 24-21 and had just snagged an interception. As a third-and-five situation approached on UCF’s 38-yard line with 7:14 to go in the fourth, the Knights needed a stop to halt Navy’s chance at a tying field goal or go-ahead score. The Midshipmen ran a speed option to Moore’s side, and Moore read it early on to time a ball-jarring hit and to recover the ensuing fumble.
UCF’s secondary also picked off two of Navy’s 14 passes. Kyle Gibson, first, caught a tipped ball in front of his own end zone late in the second quarter. Moore snagged his first-career interception when Navy attempted its comeback from down 31-21.
UCF Survives 1st Close Game of the Season
To date, UCF’s win over Navy was its closest game. All six games prior had been blowouts, as the Knights won their first five games by at least 27. For the Knights, these blowouts began rather early, too. In UCF’s closest games before Navy—a 27-point win over the University of Memphis and a 28-point win over the University of Maryland—the Knights held 23-7 and 14-3 leads. After the 23-7 lead over Memphis, the Tigers lost 40-13. The narrow 14-3 lead against Maryland ended in a 38-10 win for the Knights.
Against Navy, however, the score at halftime was 14-7 in favor of the Knights. Navy kept it a one-possession game until Otis Anderson’s 10-yard rushing touchdown, the first touchdown of his collegiate career, made it 31-21 with 3:30 left in the game.
Navy Win Could Be Last Test for UCF Until USF
The Knights’ close win over Navy might be the last competitive test until UCF plays the University of South Florida in the regular-season finale. At 6-0, the Knights have five games remaining this season, four before their clash with undefeated, No. 17 USF.
Ahead of USF are four teams with a combined record of 16-14. Five of those wins, however, come from FSC school Austin Peay State University, which is 0-2 against FBS opponents in 2017 and the Knights’ opponent for Week 9. The SMU Mustangs have the best record of the four remaining opponents before USF at 5-2, but their most impressive win is against a 4-2 Arkansas State University team.
Otis Anderson Is Becoming Knights’ Secret Weapon
Tre’Quan Smith and Killins may be the primary, big-play targets for Milton and UCF’s offense, but a new threat is developing in the form of Anderson. Anderson is listed as a wide receiver, but he also frequently lines up in the backfield as a running-back. Against Navy, Anderson had two catches for 47 yards, including a 41-yard reception on a screen. He also had nine carries for 56 rushing yards and the game-icing touchdown.
In the Knights’ homecoming win over East Carolina University, Anderson made his presence felt in the passing game with seven catches for 76 yards. So far this season, Anderson has 16 catches for 203 yards and 18 rushes for 157 yards and a touchdown.
For more on the Knights, as they prepare for Austin Peay, follow Ryan Weiss on Twitter at @NDR_RyanWeiss.
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