In what is becoming a recurring theme this season, UCF (5-3, 3-1) failed to string together two consecutive solid games as they fell to the last place UCONN Huskies (2-6, 1-4) 37-29.
Though the Knights kept the game close early – ending the second quarter only down by a field goal – turnovers and an inability to move the chains on key drives spelled the demise of the conference’s top ranked team.
Justin Holman was terrorized by safety Andrew Adams to the tune of three interceptions for a grand total of four on the day, but he did orchestrate 284 passing yards, two touchdowns, and drove the team downfield in the fourth quarter to bring the game within a score with plenty of game time on the clock.
UCF got the ball back again late in the fourth quarter, but was unable to convert on fourth down with 37 seconds left to seal their fate.
When all was said and done, the Knights had outgained the Huskies 429-327, allowed only 14 completions, and forced the game’s only fumble. The positives just couldn’t balance the game’s mistakes.
The four turnovers cast the heaviest shadow on the defeat, marring the offensive that came in large part from William Stanback’s 141 rushing yards. Stanback even found paydirt twice; from three and one yards out.
J.J. Worton was another piece of the silver lining, burning the Huskies’ defense for a 73 yard score in the third quarter in typical unrelenting fashion to take the lead at the time. He finished the day as UCF’s leading receiver with 11 receptions for an unbelievable 178 yards to pair with the score.
It is the first conference loss that UCF has had since the conception of the American Athletic Conference, coming at the hands of a team that had yet to win an AAC game while residing at the bottom of the standings this season.
