UCF had a record setting attendance of 48,453 at Bright House Networks Stadium on Saturday night. It seemed as though the fans were the only bright spot in the Knights 27–7 loss to the No. 9 Miami Hurricanes.
Previously, UCF (3-3, 1-2 in C-USA), proudly reflected a 3-0 record coming into Saturday nights game against Miami (5-1, 2-1 in ACC). The Hurricanes, in their first ever meeting, defeated the Knights in 2008, 20–14 at Land Shark Stadium in Miami. Saturday’s game was the first game the Hurricanes have played in Orlando since 1936. Oddly enough, this game was also on October 17, exactly seventy years earlier to the day.
The Knights defense gave Miami and its sensational sophomore quarterback Jacory Harris, all it could handle. Complete with a season-high six sacks totaling 41 yards in losses. But, it was the UCF offense that could not keep up with the supply and demand of points needed to keep the Knights competitive.
Golden opportunities were missed by UCF. These opportunities started early when Miami’s opening drive was halted by a sack by sophomore Darius Nall.
UCF took possession of the football with a chance to take an early lead. After a near interception by Miami linebacker Sean Spence, UCF quarterback Brett Hodges connected on a 35-yard pass to wide receiver Kamar Aiken. This completion would eventually set up a 32-yard field goal by kicker Nick Cottoi. Cottoi, who was a perfect seven-for-seven on field goal attempts this season, but he missed the opportunity to put UCF ahead early.
Miami’s next offensive series ended with a touchdown pass from Harris to wide receiver Leonard Hankerson, which gave the Hurricanes an early 7–0 lead. A lead Miami would not surrender again.
It was not until midway through the second quarter that Miami once again placed points on the board after a 31-yard field goal by Miami kicker Nick Bosher. Even after the Knight defense forced punts by Miami, UCF’s offense could not place a drive together that would allow them to score in the first half. It was the first time this season that UCF did not score in the first half. Ironically, it was also the first time the Hurricanes had not surrendered any points to an opponent in the first half all season.
Opening the second half, UCF assembled with a very flat, quick series that ended in a Hodges sack. UCF found themselves down 17-0 after a 5-yard touchdown run by Miami running back Javaris James.
Following the script, as it has all season, the Knights offense forcefully came alive in the second half. Hodges led an explosive nine-play, 80-yard drive, and found senior wide receiver Rocky Ross in the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown. At 9:15 left in the third, the Knights found themselves trailing only 17-7.
UCF’s defense once again forced a Miami punt. The Knights however, could not capitalize on a botched snap to Bosher that eventually gave them possession on the Hurricanes 2-yard line.
This key series proved to be the nail in the coffin for the Knights. It ended as quickly as it began as Hodges, after being hit tremendously hard by Miami’s Jared Campbell, had his pass intercepted by Miami linebacker Colin McCarthy. At this point, the Knights did not see the red zone for the remainder of night.
The red zone troubles continued to haunt the Knights. Coach George O’Leary expressed his frustration by saying, “The kicker was the one on the 2, that was the one that was the big low in the game where we’re hanging in there trying to get things done and then we come away with no points and actually a turnover.”
Miami received points from another field goal of 46-yards by Bosher, his longest of the season, and a 3-yard rushing touchdown by junior running back Damien Berry.
The stands emptied soon after the touchdown by Berry, which left little color in Bright House Networks Stadium; aside from that of silver bleachers and Hurricane green and orange.
After the game, wide receiver Jamar Newsome stated, “It’s so frustrating because our defense played very well and we had our chances, but we just couldn’t take advantage of those opportunities. We just have to play better.”
O’Leary’s comments after the game also reflected his concern over the inability of the UCF offense to take advantage of Miami’s mistakes. He stated, “Well, as I just told the team, I thought we had opportunities that we didn’t take advantage of, made some mistakes and left our defense for too many plays on the field.”
UCF will resume play next Saturday in Texas against Conference USA opponent Rice.
Jason Smith covers the University of Central Florida Knights football for the West Orlando News. He can be reached at doverjase@hotmail, on twitter at twitter.com/doverjase and on facebook at facebook.com/doverjase.
