First quarter (28-0, UCF)
Game-opening interception
The UCF Knights (4-1, 1-0 in American Athletic Conference) deferred to the UConn Huskies (1-3, 0-1 in AAC) to start the game, and it paid immediate dividends.
After two short running plays, UConn quarterback Jack Zergiotis scrambled to his right for what started as a run for the first down; instead, Zergiotis reloaded and sent a pass that was intercepted by Knights safety Antwan Collier.
Collier was eventually ejected from the game late in the second quarter because of a targeting call.
UCF scores first
After the game-opening turnover started the Knights on UConn’s 35-yard line, it took UCF just three plays to score the first touchdown of the night.
Utility player Otis Anderson started the drive with a jet sweep down the right sideline that went for 25 yards. After a nine-yard gain by running back Greg McCrae and a UConn facemask penalty, McCrae punched in his fourth rushing score of 2019 for a 7-0 lead.
Husky butter fingers
Zergiotis’ night didn’t get any better before he was eventually benched later in the first. His second turnover in his second drive of the game solidified his fate.
Two runs earned the Huskies their first first down of the game, preceding the ensuing first-down pass. Zergiotis dropped back with pressure bearing down, and, as he cocked his arm, the ball slipped out. Knights defensive lineman Stephon Zayas recovered the fumble.
Gabriel Davis gets started
The Knights didn’t capitalize on UConn’s slipup, composing a drive of three-straight runs and a fourth-down attempt that resulted in a 14-yard sack. Their next drive, however, made up for it in big-play fashion, as UCF receiver Gabriel Davis caught a 73-yard touchdown pass on the drive’s first play for a 14-0 lead.
It was true-freshman quarterback Dillon Gabriel’s 12th scoring toss of 2019 and Davis’ sixth receiving touchdown of the season.
Penalties halt drive
While UCF epitomized its offensive prowess on its last drive, a lack of discipline showed on the next. A drive from the Knights’ 27-yard line could never generate any momentum because of three penalties. It started with an illegal-formation penalty; that was followed by a personal foul, and a false start helped conclude the drive.
New quarterback, same result
UConn switched to its backup quarterback, redshirt freshman Steven Krajewski, and he initially produced similar results. His first drive lasted only two plays, as he started positively: a four-yard run. The Huskies’ next play was a well-executed playaction pass that drew the UCF defense to its right, as Krajewski rolled out to his right. He had his tight end open in the flat, but Krajewski overthrew him for a 48-yard pick 6 by Nevelle Clarke and a 21-0 UCF lead.
Adrian Killins in his lane
Senior running back Adrian Killins made his case for best one-play, 70-yard touchdown by a Knight against UConn on UCF’s final drive of the first quarter. Killins took a handoff up the middle and sprinted away from UConn’s defense for a 75-yard touchdown run, narrowly escaping the desperate, outstretched arm of safety Tyler Coyle on his way to a 28-0 lead.
Second quarter (42-0, UCF)
Knights go the distance
UCF drove nearly the length of the field, going 97 yards on its first drive of the second quarter. Gabriel found three different receivers (redshirt junior Tre Nixon, junior Marlon Williams and Davis) in the eight-play drive, eventually finding Davis on a 16-yard toss for a five-touchdown advantage.
Davis scores third
The Huskies were unable to respond in a positive manner to the Knights’ long drive. Their first play of the ensuing drive was a three-yard pass that was negated by a holding penalty. Krajewski, then, suffered a nine-yard strip-sack that placed UCF on the opposing 14-yard line.
After a one-yard rush by Anderson, Gabriel pushed his offense to the line and snapped the ball before UConn’s defense could set up. That allowed Davis to break open in the end zone for his third score of the game and a 42-0 lead.
Missed field goals
UConn had two opportunities to score in the second quarter.
After driving 53 yards in 10 plays and six minutes, Huskies kicker Clayton Harris attempted a 40-yarder and missed wide right. Two drives, nine plays and 62 yards later, Harris missed a half-ending, 52-yard attempt wide left.
Halftime (42-0, UCF)
UCF launched itself to a six-touchdown lead by halftime behind two 70-yard touchdowns and a defense that held UConn to eight first downs and 160 total yards (99 rushing, 61 passing). The Knights amassed 369 yards (88 rushing, 281 passing) and committed zero turnovers while possessing the ball for only eight minutes and 20 seconds.
Gabriel finished his night throwing three touchdowns on 11-for-16 passing in the first half alone.
Third quarter (56-7, UCF)
Darriel Mack Jr. is back
Redshirt-sophomore quarterback Darriel Mack Jr. suffered a broken ankle over the summer, keeping him out for the first four games of 2019. He played the rest of the second half, save for one play when graduate transfer Brandon Wimbush relieved Mack Jr. after his helmet was knocked off.
Mack Jr. opened the third quarter with a near-three-minute-long drive in which he completed five of his six passes, culminating in a 21-yard touchdown pass to Williams and a 49-0 lead.
UCF’s next drive was also spearheaded by Mack Jr., as he threw for 22 yards on 2-for-2 passing in the Knights’ final scoring drive of the night. Mack Jr. also almost ran for the touchdown, scrambling for 16 yards near the front-right pylon before being stopped at the two-yard line. Running back Bentavious Thompson finished UCF’s scoring with a two-yard run up the middle, making it 56-0.
UConn avoids shutout
The Huskies avoided the shutout with the first of three touchdown tosses by Krajewski. UConn drove 77 yards in eight plays, as Krajewski went 5-for-5 for 56 yards and threw a 16-yard score to true freshman Cameron Ross on a seam route down the middle. UCF then led 56-7.
Fourth quarter (56-21, UCF)
Huskies score two more
Krajewski scored his final two touchdowns in the fourth.
His first was a product of the Huskies’ first drive of the final period, as Krajewski made three-consecutive throws for 49 total yards before finding redshirt senior Ardell Brown for a 12-yard score. The Huskies’ final score came with 19 seconds left in the game. Krajewski and his offense started at their 38 and relied solely on their air attack. True freshman Matt Drayton caught a 15-yard score to make it a 56-21 win for UCF.
Knights fumble, too
UCF committed one turnover compared to UConn’s four (two interceptions, two fumbles). The fumble occurred with about 10 minutes left in the game, as Thompson rushed for seven yards into UConn’s red zone. The ball was recovered by linebacker D.J. Morgan.
Final
The Knights totaled 607 yards (230 rushing, 377 passing) and 27 first downs, converting four of nine third downs. UCF’s defense also had one of its best games this season, limiting the Huskies to only garbage-time touchdowns and 426 total yards
Davis was the Knights’ star player, as he tallied a game-high 119 yards and three touchdowns on just five catches. As for the running game, Killins notched 77 yards and a touchdown on three carries; Thompson ran for 71 yards and a score on 11 carries. For UConn, junior back Kevin Mensah recorded 123 yards on 23 carries.
Who’s next?
The Knights will have a short week of preparation for Game 6, traveling to the University of Cincinnati (3-1, 0-0 in the American) for a Friday-night matchup at 8 p.m. Cincinnati’s most recent win was a 52-14 win over Marshall University on Saturday.
For more on the Knights, as they look forward to the Bearcats, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
