PHOTOS BY KURT RIVERS
UCF won their sixth game of the season over the East Carolina Pirates by a score of 49-35.
Why UCF won the game
Offense. The defense played very well, but the UCF offense was unstoppable. The Knights did not punt all game. The only drives they had which did not end in a touchdown were two kneel downs to end the half and the game, and a missed field goal by Cattoi in the third quarter. The 49 points scored were the most UCF has scored all season. The pass offense was very productive accumulating 159 yards and 2 touchdowns, and the run game led by Ronnie Weaver went off to the tune of 265 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Why ECU lost the game:
Their defense simply could not match up with UCF’s offense. The offense actually played very well, as their 35 points were the most put up against UCF’s defense all season. Despite the admirable offensive performance led by QB Dominique Davis, who threw for 310 and three touchdowns and ran in one more, the ECU defense only stopped the Knights short of the end zone on one meaningful drive.
Game Ball:
Ronnie Weaver gets my game ball in a close call over Godfrey. Godfrey was great leading the offense, but Weaver stole the show. Weaver set career highs with 182 yards and 30 carries while scoring 2 touchdowns. He averaged 6.0 yards per carry despite running it 30 times, a microcosm of how easily the UCF offense was able to gash the ECU defense. Weaver’s change of pace back, Latavius Murray, did his part on the ground as well running for 47 yards and 3 touchdowns while averaging 6.7 yards per carry.
What this all means:
UCF is now firmly in control of Conference USA’s east division. UCF not only has the only undefeated conference record in C-USA, but they gained a very valuable tiebreaker against the Pirates. Theoretically, the Knights would have to lose two of their four remaining games while ECU needs to win out for UCF to lose the east division. UCF’s dominating conference run has the country beginning to take notice, as they received 2 votes in last weeks top 25 poll, and are expected to get more following tonight’s big win.
Up Next:
The Knights travel to Texas to face perennial Conference USA West Division power Houston. Despite high hopes entering the season, Houston has slumped to 4-3 so far, including a loss to Rice, who UCF defeated by 27 points last week. Houston will be without pre-season Heisman hopeful quarterback Case Keenum.
Notes:
- Jordan Rae got injured late in the 4th quarter and did not return
- Murray had 2 career TDs entering the game, and scored 3 today to bring his career total to 5
- UCF went 9-11 on third down
- The two teams combined for 845 yards of offense
CHECK OUT SOME MORE PHOTOS ON THE NEXT PAGE.
