UCF Uses 5 Temple Turnovers to Blow Out Owls

(Photo by Adrian J. Hernandez / New Day Review)

Game Recap

During the 2017 season, the UCF Knights’ offense has been the talk of the town. Leading the nation in scoring with just under 49 points per game, the Knights have left few games in question. Against Temple University, though, it was the Knights’ defense that spurred UCF to a blowout in its final road game of 2017.

No. 15 UCF (10-0, 7-0 in American Athletic Conference) defeated the Owls (5-6, 3-4 in AAC) 45-19 Saturday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field.

With three minutes left in the second quarter, Temple trailed 24-10 inside its own 10-yard line. The Owls looked to make it a one-possession game before halftime, but that plan was quickly thwarted when safety Kyle Gibson undercut a first-down pass for an interception, his fourth of the year.

The Knights’ offense didn’t take long to capitalize. On UCF’s first play of the ensuing drive, Gabriel Davis brought in a wide-receiver screen, lowered his head after contact and dove for the goal line for a five-yard touchdown. The freshman’s third touchdown of 2017 gave the Knights a 31-10 lead to ignite another UCF blowout victory.

That touchdown wasn’t the only time the Knights scored quickly off a turnover. Early in the second quarter, linebacker Pat Jasinski jumped a slant route for an interception—his first of his career—to put UCF the ball at Temple’s 21-yard line. The Knights used four plays to find the end zone for a 21-10 lead. Quarterback McKenzie Milton threw a swing pass to Otis Anderson to the right, and the true freshman darted for the front corner of the end zone and a nine-yard score.

Before UCF forced these turnovers, however, the game was a back-and-forth affair. After Temple opened the scoring with a field goal on its second drive, Milton quickly responded with his fifth rushing score of the year. On second-and-goal at the four-yard line, the Hawaii native froze Temple’s defensive end with a play-action fake and pump fake before sprinting into the end zone for UCF’s first score of the game and a 7-3 lead.

Temple responded with a seven-play, 61-yard scoring drive to reclaim the lead. David Hood rushed for most of the yards on the drive, breaking off a 33-yard dash to UCF’s 24 before Owls quarterback Frank Nutile found Keith Kirkwood for an eight-yard score.

The Knights claimed their other three forced turnovers off interceptions by Shaquem Griffin and Nevelle Clarke and a fumble recovery by linebacker Titus Davis. Milton finished his day with another standout performance, throwing for 208 yards and four touchdowns on an efficient 16-for-23 clip.

Player of the Game: LB Shaquem Griffin

While the reigning AAC Defensive Player of the Year hasn’t put up the same stats he did in 2016 this season, Griffin had a tremendous impact on the game against Temple. The redshirt senior was a part of two of the five turnovers forced by UCF, forcing a fumble and snagging an interception. Midway through the second quarter, Griffin forced a fumble that was recovered by Davis, leading to a field goal. Griffin returned his third-quarter interception for 22 yards after smothering coverage of his receiver.

What’s Next?

UCF will host its rival from down I-4, the University of South Florida (9-1, 6-1 in AAC), on Nov. 24 at Spectrum Stadium. The winner will go to the 2017 American Athletic Conference Championship Game.

UCF Scored 24 Points After Temple Turnovers

UCF scored 24 of its points off Temple’s five turnovers. Three of the Owls’ turnovers occurred on their side of the field, each occurring inside their 28-yard line. UCF failed to capitalize on only one of its turnovers, as Clarke intercepted the ball in the end zone with just under eight minutes to play. With the game effectively out of reach, the Knights used their back-ups in the final 18 minutes of the game.

Knights Running Game Stumbled Against Temple

The Knights ran for 130 yards against Temple, 80 less than their season average. Not only did they run for only 130 yards, but they did so on 40 carries. UCF’s 3.3 yards-per-rush average was 2.2 yards less than the Knights’ season average. Were it not for Anderson’s long of 32 yards, the Knights would’ve rushed for less than 100 yards for the first time this season.

Adrian Killins, who averages 8.1 yards per carry, was limited to a season-low 3.0 yards per carry on 10 rushes. Taj McGowan, who has 235 yards and eight touchdowns this year, had six carries for five yards. Anderson led the way with 58 yards on five carries.

Highlights

Just @Shaquemgriffin taking advantage of his opportunity ✊#RiseandConquer pic.twitter.com/axoYJF7V4z

— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) November 18, 2017

“10-0 is hard to do. Understand we’ve got a chance to accomplish even more.” -Frost#RiseandConquer pic.twitter.com/nFzPcBnGNc

— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) November 18, 2017

NDR Notes

• In the win over Temple, Jasinski caught his first interception of his career.
• UCF is 10-0 for the first time in school history.
• Milton has not played in six fourth quarters this season.

Scoring

Statistics

Passing

Rushing

Receiving

For more on the Knights, as they look to go undefeated in the regular season for the first time in school history, follow Ryan Weiss on Twitter at @NDR_RyanWeiss.