ORLANDO, Fla. – UCF kicks off against the 0-2 Furman Paladins at 6:00 p.m in the pursuit of their first win. Check back at the end of the quarters for live updates and follow @UCFKnightnews and @Knightnewssport for play-by-play action.
Furman takes the coin toss and elects to defer – UCF will start off with the ball.
First Quarter:
On the opening return, a Furman player brought down Jordan Akins who had to be helped off the field for further review on his condition.
Two runs into the first drive of Saturday’s game and UCF finds its momentum for a first down. The Knights couldn’t repeat the running action, leading to a UCF punt downfield.
Furman edged its way into a first down following a pass to right field but would see their efforts covered over with a personal foul by the offense. Half the distance to the goal on the Furman 14 yard line, Paladin’s Triston Luke rushed for a gain of 27. Small gains in the air and on the ground led to a third down situation for the UCF defense. Thomas Niles of the defense soon deflected a pass behind the line of scrimmage to force a 4th down punt.
Blake Tiralosi saw his first career reception from Bo Schneider for a 6 yard first down. Nick Patti rushed on a series of plays for the Knights, running for 33 yards over 5 plays and 3 first downs. A Nick Patti pass bounced off the ground and into the hands of Furman’s J. Milliken for a dash across midfield and into the Red Zone. Officials overturned the call, bringing UCF back to the Furman
39. The play saw the Knights cross the first down yard line after a pass to Chris Johnson.
Jordan Franks recorded 21 yards on his first career reception to bring UCF to the Furman 6. Franks’ reception set up a rushing TD from Nick Patti with 1:45 left in the quarter.
TOUCHDOWN, UCF! Furman – 0 UCF – 7
FUMBLE!
Furmans’ kickoff return had UCF’s Brendin Straubel recover a fumble at the 21 yard line.
The turnover, in range for a score from the Knights, allowed Nick Patti to carry the ball for 6 yards over two plays to bring the ball to the 9 yard line before the quarter closed.
Second Quarter:
A Nick Patti rush brought the ball to the 2 yard line, but a delay of game penalty brought the line of scrimmage back to the 7. UCF saw no gain on the next two plays. A successful 24 yard field goal attempt from the Knights left Furman with nothing on the board.
Furman – 0 UCF – 10
The Paladins saw no opening in the UCF defense for a first down on their second quarter opening drive.
Tristan Payton makes a 13 yard reception on the second down to move the chains. Two incomplete passes lead to a UCF punt to Furman to start their drive.
SAFETY!
Chequan Burkett sacks Furman QB Reese Hannon for a loss of 10 yards into the end zone. 9:06 left in the half.
Furman – 0 UCF – 12
Bo Schneider has a pass picked at the Furman 17 yard line – the Paladins wouldn’t gain a first down, punting away the ball.
A UCF punt return was picked up by Chris Johnson for a rush to the Furman 34.
FUMBLE!
Triston Payton fumbles on a rush, Furman picks up the loose ball for a 71 yard touchdown.
The play is reviewed and the ruling on the field is overturned. UCF ball on the Furman 30.
On 4th and 2 for UCF, a fourth down conversion is unsuccessful at the Furman 26.
Furman starts their drive but never sees the ball move from the line of scrimmage after 3 incompletes.
The previous play is reviewed and the call is reversed – Furman first down.
The Paladins made two incompletes followed by three two completions for 53 yards. Small gains and a QB rush in the Red Zone earned Furman a touchdown with 1:10 left in the half. The touchdown would be made over a 1 yard carry by Ernie Cain.
Furman – 7 UCF – 12
HALFTIME: Furman – 7 UCF – 12
Furman’s offense takes to the field to start the half, unable to connect on three of their plays for a first down.
UCF finds a first down after a third down pass interference from Furman but makes three incompletes for a forth down and punt.
Andrej Suttles of Furman completes a 61 yard pass with no defenders in sight. An unsuccessful two-point conversion is made.
Furman – 13 UCF – 12
UCF runs for a loss of one followed by a gain of one and a pass for three yards for a forth and 7 punt.
Furman continues the trend and does not make it past the first down line, set back 5 yards on a false start, rushing for 1 yard and completing a pass for three. An incomplete pass leads to a punt.
Blake Tiralosi receives a pass for 8 yards to start the Knights’ drive. Two plays later UCF’s Tyler Harris has a pass intercepted by a Paladin defender.
The UCF defense responded by breaking through the Furman defensive line, knocking the line of scrimmage back 9 yards on a sack. The defense shut down Furman’s drive by forcing an incomplete and a rush for no gain.
A career-first carry for C.J. Jones goes for 8 yards, just enough for a first down. Tyler Harris finds an opening in the defense and carries the ball for 11 yards. Continuing the running game is Jones down the line for 18 yards to the Furman 23. Harris passes to Tiralosi who picks up 13 yards and runs out of bounds. A 10 yard holding penalty sets back the Knights by 10 yards for a first and 19 but the deficit is cut by 8 yards on a run by Taj McGowan to the Furman 12. Tyler Harris finds an open receiver in the end zone but the jumping pass is caught out of bounds. A UCF 29 yard field goal attempt makes it between the posts.
Furman – 13 UCF – 15
Fourth Quarter:
Furman continues their drive, going for an incomplete and then a completion to Logan McCarter for a third and one situation. The Paladins rush for a 2 yard third down conversion.
Small gains and incompletes lead to a Furman third down at the UCF 38. A pass is made but it is incomplete, intended for Furman’s Kevin Mall. A successful 55 yard field is made for the Paladins.
Furman – 16 UCF – 15
The UCF drive started with 12:10 on the fourth quarter clock. Tre’Quan Smith makes a reception for 6 yards and Jones finishes the job for 6 yards and a first down. No improvement on yards has UCF kicker Caleb Houston punt 45 yards
Furman’s opening play on the drive is incomplete but a pass interference earns them a first down. An Ernie Cain rush for 2 and a Reese Hannon pass to Cain for 6 brought the visiting team to the Furman 41. The third down conversion is incomplete with 8:27 on the clock.
Tyler Harris completes a pass to himself for a loss of 2 on the Knights’ drive. The ball is soon punted down the field for Furman possession.
A third down situation after a 6 yard and 2 yard rush is successful for the Paladins at the UCF 49. Another third down conversion is attempted but it will be shut down for a loss of one by the UCF defense.
Furman makes a drive with little action sees the loss of 6 yards.
Tyler Harris makes two passes for 7 yards, and then a pass for an interception to seal the win for the Paladins.
FINAL: Furman – 16 UCF – 15
Photo Credit: Nick Russett
