UCF heads into their first conference game of the season Thursday night against a University of Houston football team that is playing very competitive ball right now.
This is a series that has been decided by seven points or less in four of the teams’ five meetings. Last year’s 19-14 victory for UCF came down to the final drive, stuffing Houston on four straight downs to squelch a first and goal opportunity.
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With the Croke Park Classic, Mizzou game and home opener in the rearview mirror, this is the next most significant game the Knights will play.
“We feel like we should put this game on a pedestal,” senior tight end Justin Tukes said.
The UH Cougars have forced thirteen turnovers in just four games, a boon in comparison to the Knights’ paltry four takeaways. It is a situation that will force first year starter Justin Holman to perform well beyond his experience.
Head Coach George O’Leary, however, does not plan to simplify the offense to prevent a major loss in the turnover battle.
“It’s open, wide open,” he said, continuing, “the simpler you get on offense, the simpler it is on defense. I think you gotta be who you are and do whatever you have to do to put points on the board.”
For the first half, at least, the offense will miss the stellar play of Rannell Hall, who is suspended in light of a targeting call from the Knights’ last game. The absence will be sorely missed, but has not done anything to shake the confidence of this emerging offense.
“He makes some big plays for us… but the guys that we’ve got at receiver I feel like won’t skip a beat,” Tukes said.
It will be a necessity that they’re sharp all game, as the Cougars are prone to pouncing, and indeed feasting, on mistakes.
The game will be nationally televised on ESPN, kickoff is scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m.
