UCF barely held on Friday night in front of a roaring crowd of 45,952 fans, beating the University of South Florida for the first time in program history, 23-20.
It was the coldest night the Knights had seen this year at home, with a game time kickoff temperature of 59 degrees –perfect weather for a rivalry game in the fall.
For UCF (10-1, 7-0) the game was more than a chance of redemption after losing all four previous matchups against USF (2-9, 2-5). It was more than a conference leader fending off the last ranked offense in the conference.
It was the first time these two combatants of the “War on I-4” have met as conference opponents, and a victory for UCF meant locking down a share of the American Athletic Conference title. Even more importantly, it was the first game that the Knights could flaunt their recently achieved powerhouse status against their neighbors to the west.
It was not an easy contest, by any means. UCF kept the game closer than most expected in the 1st half, by committing untimely penalties and turning the ball over three times – once stopping a sure-fire scoring drive in the red zone, and another setting up USF’s first field goal of the day. As a whole, the unit would turn the ball over five times on the day.
Sponsored Ad – Story Continues Below
The offense struggled to consistently move the ball, and the defense gave up far too many chunks of yardage in momentum changing explosive plays. At times Bortles struggled with his reads, and converted only 1 of 9 third down attempts. He was sacked hard a few times throughout the game, fumbling the ball in the third quarter to set up the Bulls’ first touchdown of the game.
The two interceptions were game-killers themselves, deflating the Knights’ offense at times where a charge was dearly needed. Of the two, the 4th quarter pick with under 7 minutes to play was especially devastating, cutting precious time off the clock for a UCF comeback drive.
Coach O’Leary didn’t mince any words after the game, saying that “The offensive line didn’t sustain their blocks, did a poor job pass protecting, Blake Bortles held on to the ball too long, and you just can’t do that.”
Normally a focal point of the offense, and a highly efficient production machine, Bortles struggled in what could be his last game in front of the home crowd, completing 17 of 26 passes for 219 yards, 2 TD’s and 2 INT’s, while taking three sacks and fumbling once.
Storm Johnson put his team in a rough position to start the game, losing two fumbles early. He lost the rock on each of the Knights’ first two possessions- the first leading to a field goal and immediate deficit, and the second coming in the red zone, costing UCF a surefire scoring drive.
There was no decisive distinction between the two teams on different trajectories, as the game was not decided until the final minutes of play. With 4:50 left on the clock and three turnovers to his name for the day, Blake Bortles stepped into a huge throw down the right sideline for a 52 yard touchdown completion to Breshad Perriman.
UCF 23 – USF 20.
Perriman had fooled his defender completely with a double move after seeing him bite hard on routes all day, and beat the safety deep to put UCF on top for the final time. With a sly smile, Perriman revealed after the game that he had counted on the defender biting.
Even after the explosive touchdown, the Bulls’ momentum was not totally depleted. USF was able to drive down to the UCF 39 yard line on their last possession, with under a minute and thirty seconds on the clock. It seemed that the Knights’ torturous ways were in line to catch up with them, as USF had been nailing field goals all day.
But an unexpected interception by Jordan Ozerities sealed the game. Streaking down the sideline, Ozerities had a full head of steam when he snagged the ball and USF’s hopes for an upset clean out of the air. The redshirt junior was able to cross midfield and leave 1:20 to burn off the clock.
“You never expect it, you never know when your name will be called,” said defensive lineman Thomas Niles after the game. Indeed, this was Ozeritites first interception of the season, and was not on a play that anybody expected a turnover. Yet it could not have come at a better time.
“You know what can I say?” O’Leary said after the game. “You don’t play very well and 5 turnovers … you don’t usually win games like that.”
In a game where 5 turnovers, poor decision making, and a lack of a dominating presence on any part of the field all came into play, the Knights were able to limp to victory, clinching a share of the conference title.
From here on, there are two ways UCF finishes the season with a Conference Title. If Louisville beats Cincinnati this upcoming Thursday, or if UCF wins this upcoming weekend, the Knights will have walked away with the very first American Athletic Conference Title.
The last regular season game will kickoff at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 at Southern Methodist University.
