Ten games into the season, the UCF football team never dreamed they’d be in their current position: 4-6 and out of the running to defend its Conference-USA crown.
“I don’t think we saw ourselves being in a predicament like this at this point of the season,” senior defensive end Darius Nall said in the Knights weekly press conference. “But I mean you can’t predict the season, so we’re just going to continue how we’re playing- just step up a little harder and prove ourselves (hopefully) for these last three games.”
The Knights certainly aren’t where most people expected them to be 10 games into the season, especially after all the success they achieved last year.
However, the fact is that UCF is 4-6 and must win its final two games just to become bowl eligible.
“We’re not where we need to be, but when you go back to each of the losses, you can almost pinpoint the two or three plays that we’re the downfall of the game,” Coach George O’Leary said. “It all started with the punt return fumbles. Basically, a little confidence was lost as far as what were doing on the field.”
“It goes back to the FIU game and Brighham Young game. I think that was the initial problems. We’ve had some injuries, but you got to make plays- that’s the name of this game. When we’ve had opportunities to make plays, we’re not making enough of them.”
The Knights are coming off another disappointing loss last Saturday against No. 22 ranked Southern Miss, who UCF came a failed two-point conversion short of upsetting on the road.
The Knights rallied in the fourth quarter to take a one-point lead, but then surrendered it minutes later. However, Blake Bortles and JJ Worton connected on a 25-yard touchdown heave as time expired, putting UCF within one point.
Instead of playing it safe and going for the extra point, Coach O”Leary decided to go for the win on a two-point conversion, but Bortles was not able to complete the comeback.
“I thought that gave us the best opportunity to win,” O’Leary said. “I think defensively we closed it up in the red zone and allowed them to kick five field goals. I was concerned we didn’t have enough power behind us offensively and stopping them defensively. I thought it was a good call by Charlie Taaffe. Blake just didn’t have his feet under him. I’d make that same decision any day. Good call, we just didn’t execute like we would have liked.”
Despite losing six of their last eight games, the Knights have been competitive in all of their defeats this season. UCF has lost every game by seven points or less, with the lone exception being the 38-17 loss to SMU.
Otherwise, the Knights have been one or two missed plays from winning each of those close games. In their losses, not counting the SMU game, the Knights have lost by an average margin of only 4.8 points per game. Theoretically, UCF could be 9-1 right now.
The Knights will need to be at the top of their game if they want to win their final two games and go bowling.
“As seniors, we got to get everyone on the team ready to play,” Nall said. “We know we got to take these two games serious because they are our last.”
UCF will start its “two-game season” this Saturday against East Carolina, who is a team that always plays the Knights tough.
“East Carolina plays us really hard no matter what. We just got to come out to play,” senior OL Nick Pieschel said. “Their defense is really explosive as well- they have a younger core of guys, but they’re explosive. Their linebacking core is really good; their corners are more experienced guys. We’re just going to have to keep preparing this week and come out ready to play.”
UCF beat the Pirates 49-35 last season, but the Knights will be on the road this time in a hostile environment.
“East Carolina has always been a good football fan base, and good football program,” O’Leary said. “They pack the place, they get loud. I think that’s good football. I enjoy that stuff- it doesn’t affect the kids. I’d much rather it be like that than there be 100 people in the stands.”
The Knights will have to overcome their road woes if they want to preserve its season and make a bowl game for its fourth time in five years. UCF is winless on the road this season, currently at 0-5 away from the Bright House.
If the Knights can remain confident, fix some minor mistakes and execute plays a little better, they will have a good shot at getting their first W on the road and putting themselves in good position to become bowl eligible.
