After a near upset of Southern Miss in its Conference USA opener, UCF (2-1, 0-1 in Conference USA) rebounded in non-conference play against the 2008 MAC Conference champion Buffalo Bulls (1-2, 0-0 in Mid-American Conference). On the seemingly shifty feet of now officially named starter, Senior quarterback Brett Hodges and the stingy Knights’ defense, the UCF Knights edged out a come from behind victory, 23 – 17 Saturday night in front of excited fans at Bright House Networks Field.
The Knight fans were encouraged to wear white to show their support in what UCF promoted as an “Armored in White” game. The announced crowd of 33,689, (which included mostly the student section), were also a part of the opening ceremonies in which UCF honored the Knights inaugural football team from 1979 and key lettermen that have played a vital part in the success of the UCF program for the past thirty years.
Along with the opening ceremonies, the fans honored members of the 1958 Buffalo Bulls team at halftime. Members of this particular Bulls team are special. At the time of steady segregation and obvious racism in the late fifties, the Bulls turned down an invitation to play Florida State in the Tangerine Bowl in Orlando because game officials would not allow its only two black athletes to participate. The Bulls would not see another bowl game until 2008, when they defeated the then undefeated Ball State Cardinals 42- 24 to earn its first MAC Championship.
Hodges officially made his first start at quarterback for the Knights (after once again coming in for relief for struggling sophomore Rob Calabrese versus Southern Miss- in which he subsequently threw for 158 yards and two touchdowns) and took quick advantage of his opportunities after the Knights’ defense stopped Buffalo on its opening drive on a nice defensive tackle by junior Lawrence Young on fourth-and- inches, which gave the Knights the ball with excellent field position. Hodges, who could not locate enough help from his receivers on the opening drive, made quick use of his feet and gained twenty-six yards on two carries and provided toughness in the pile to gain a key first down on a third-and-short situation. After an excellent grab by redshirt junior Jamar Newsome, the Knights moved forward into Bulls territory, which eventually set up a two-yard touchdown score by sophomore Brynn Harvey. The remainder of the first quarter marked tough defensive play from both teams.
While the Knights’ defense gave up very little real estate in the first quarter, the kink in the armor may have started to show in the second. UCF’s defense had major opportunities to end an early Buffalo drive and after two very easy third down pick up’s, Buffalo quarterback Zach Maynard connected on a very pretty touch pass to tight end Jesse Rack. This Bulls offensive possession proved the talent of the Buffalo offense. This is the same Bulls offense that came into tonight’s game averaging 400 plus yards of offense per game and pulled off an impressive 500 plus yard performance in a 54 – 27 loss to Pitt last week.
After costly mistakes, the Knights’ offense once again proves unfruitful giving up control of the football again to the Bulls, marking the fourth Buffalo drive that started inside Knights’ territory. With the lead in mind, Buffalo connected on a very tricky, but effective double reverse pass from Naaman Roosevelt to Jesse Rack for a 34-yard touchdown. That touchdown gave the Bulls a lead that they would not give up until the second half of the game.
The Knights offense started to once again look alive under the leadership and legs of Hodges, until a costly fumble got away from the UCF quarterback and ended up in the hands of the Buffalo defense.
With Buffalo clearly in the driver’s seat, UCF needed its defense to really step up and protect its home turf. The Knights banded together to force a key Buffalo third and short after a tremendous hit by Lawrence Young. This stop would bring up fourth-and-one in which the Bulls would convert and go on to score a 27-yard field goal by A.J. Principe to give the Bulls a 17 – 7 halftime lead.
UCF fans must have said their prayers at half time, because believe it or not- the football gods delivered.
After a rough start that began with an illegal block in the back, the Knights would start the third quarter on their own 10-yard line. The inspiring offense came to a halt once again after another fumble was surrendered by UCF’s Hodges on the Buffalo 46-yard line.
The Knights defense must have seen enough at this point. A determined defensive side of the football puts the clamps on the pass-happy, open field party which was the Bulls offense. The stand would begin with a fumble recovery by redshirt junior Bruce Miller on the UCF 27-yard line. The Knights’ offense must have taken its cue from the defense as it ended a decisive drive with a Brynn Harvey four-yard touchdown that brought UCF closer to a lead at 17 – 14.
The defense that could not deliver a turnover in the first two games of this 2009 season brought the offense a gift wrapped present with another fumble recovery with 3:25 left in the third quarter. Jarvis Gathers made a great surge through the Buffalo offensive line and with a valiant second effort, came back to strip the ball from Buffalo’s Maynard which gave UCF possession on their 33-yard line. This turnover would prove costly to the Bulls as UCF would go on to complete a 44-yard FG by Cottoi, which tied the game 17 – 17.
With 14:51 left in the fourth quarter, the Knights’ defense once again held strong and forced Buffalo to punt. At this point Hodges was clearly seen as the leader of the UCF offense. The Knights’ offensive line gave every opportunity for the Bulls front four to stop Hodges, but, on this drive, he completed key passes and run all over the Bulls defense. Using mastery while controlling the clock, Hodges placed together an amazing fourth quarter drive that brings the Knights to the 1-yard line making it fourth-and-inches.
On what might have seemed like a gutless call by Head Coach George O-Leary, the Knights decided not to go for the touchdown and instead settled for a 22-yard field goal by Cottoi, which gave the Knights the lead at 20 – 17. Hodges was a perfect 5-for-5 in completions on this drive, on his way to gathering seventy-one rushing yards for the game.
With such a vast shift in momentum the crowd once again became energized and seemed to surround a determined Bulls offense with a deafening roar. The fans seem to believe in a defense that to this point, forced a very determined Bulls’ offense to scarce second half success which caused two fumbles, a key punt and most important, no offensive points.
The Bulls crated an impressive drive. However, with 3:23 left in the fourth and facing a very long fourth-and-eight, the Bulls failed to convert because of a key interception by junior Derrick Hallman which sets up another field goal by Cottoi to give the Knights a 23 – 17 lead with 1:23 left to play.
The remaining one minute proved to be one of the longest of the young Knights’ early season. After a very questionable play clock ruling, which added valuable seconds to the clock in the Bulls favor, the remaining crowd inside Bright House Networks Field were left wondering what was to come.
As Buffalo pieced together a beautiful drive, hoping to end this game and escape Orlando with a come from behind victory, their hopes were dashed once again as Jarvis Geathers forced his second fumble of the game which was recovered by senior Torrell Troup.
The crowd erupts. One kneel down was taken. Game Over. Congratulations Knights fans- “Armor Up” was a success.
The Knights next game will be on September 26, 2009 at East Carolina at 3:30 pm. This game will be telecast live on Bright House Networks.
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
