(Photo by Adrian J. Hernandez / New Day Review)
Traveling to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to take on Temple University, the UCF Knights had one job to do: to not fall victim to a trap game in its second-to-last regular-season game.
Style points or margin of victory didn’t matter. The Knights were set up to play in a New Year’s Six Bowl as long as they beat the Owls. But the No. 15 Knights (10-0, 7-0 in American Athletic Conference) went for style points anyway and defeated the Owls (5-6, 3-4 in AAC) 45-19.
The win helped bring UCF one step closer to its first undefeated season in program history.
Even if the Knights lost to the Owls, the Black Friday matchup against the University of South Florida would have been for the AAC East crown and the right to go the conference championship game. Now, that rivalry-week game will mean even more with an undefeated season on the line.
But before UCF and USF clash in the War on I-4, the Knights needed to take care of business against Temple, and that’s what they did behind an opportunistic defense.
Here are the takeaways from UCF’s blowout victory over Temple.
Defense Won the Game by Causing Turnovers
Entering the Week 12 matchup, the UCF defense was averaging 2.2 turnovers per game in nine games. That average will be going up after the win over Temple. The Knights forced five Owls turnovers, snagging four interceptions and recovering a fumble. UCF almost recovered a second fumble on Temple’s first drive, but the fumble call was overturned and ruled an incomplete pass.
Before the turnovers, the game was a back-and-forth affair, UCF winning just 14-10. Pat Jasinski recorded his first collegiate interception, Shaquem Griffin and Nevelle Clarke caught their firsts of the season, and Kyle Gibson caught his team-leading fourth interception. Griffin also forced the fumble recovered by Titus Davis.
UCF’s Offense Didn’t Need to Put Up Many Yards
UCF’s offense gained only 384 yards against Temple, 154 yards less than its season average that ranks fifth in the Football Bowl Subdivision. But it wasn’t that the offense faltered; rather, UCF’s turnover production on defense provided UCF with ideal field position inside Temple territory. After Temple’s five turnovers, the Knights started their drives inside Temple’s 24-yard line three times. UCF scored on all but one of those turnovers, as backups were already playing by Clarke’s fourth-quarter, end-zone pick.
“I was worried a little bit in the first quarter when our offense sputtered on the first drive,” UCF head coach Scott Frost said after the win, per a UCF press release. “I looked up with four minutes on the clock, and we had only touched the ball once. I’ve been in those games before when teams play keep away. That’s where turnovers come in. I haven’t seen stats yet, but I can’t imagine that we had very many yards. The defense kept giving it to us deep in their territory, and the offense did a good job of finishing it off.”
Tre’Quan Smith Among Best Receivers in AAC
The Knights have faced several premiere receivers in the AAC this season, namely SMU Mustangs receivers Courtland Sutton and Trey Quinn and Memphis Tigers receiver Anthony Miller. Tre’Quan Smith belongs in that same conversation.
Against Temple, Smith had four catches for 89 yards and a touchdown. One of his four receptions was a high, one-handed catch that Smith initially bobbled before securing it with both hands while maintaining one foot inbounds. Smith caught his 11th touchdown of the season, placing him in a three-way tie for fifth place with Oklahoma State University’s James Washington and West Virginia University’s Ka’Raun White.
Running Back Taj McGowan’s Role Decreasing
Since running back Jawon Hamilton suffered a season-ending injury against the University of Maryland, Taj McGowan and Adrian Killins were listed as co-starters on the depth chart. However, this week against Temple, Killins was listed as the lone starter. The demotion showed on the field as well. McGowan took his first carry in the opening quarter and did not carry the ball again until he joined the back-ups in the fourth quarter.
Even when the Knights were near the goal line, McGowan—one of UCF’s biggest backs at 6-foot-1, 210 pounds—stayed on the sideline, and Killins—5-foot-8, 158 pounds—played those snaps. When the Knights failed to convert on fourth-and-one on their first drive, Killins took the handoff. True freshman Otis Anderson has also assumed more running-back duties over the past two games. Against UConn and Temple, McGowan recorded nine carries for 16 yards; Anderson had 14 for 142 yards and two touchdowns.
Starters Rested Early Against Temple
Because Hurricane Irma forced the Knights to cancel two games and reschedule another, UCF scheduled an 11th game on Oct. 28 during what was originally a bye week. With the Week 9 bye week absorbed, UCF has played a game every week since Sept. 23.
Taking advantage of every opportunity of rest they can get, the Knights out-scored Temple 45-13 by the 5:31 mark in the third quarter, allowing UCF’s starters to rest. The Temple game marked the sixth time this season quarterback McKenzie Milton did not play in the fourth quarter.
For more on the Knights, as they prepare for the Black Friday matchup against USF, follow Ryan Weiss on Twitter at @NDR_RyanWeiss.
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