Stay tuned for live quarterly updates from KnightNews.com’s crew in Dublin as UCF opens the 2014 season in Dublin, and follow @UCFKnightNews on twitter for more coverage!
The Knights and Nittany Lions have just met at midfield for the coin toss. Penn State has won and elected to defer, UCF will receive to start the game.
It’s gametime!
First Quarter
UCF started with great field position at the 31 yard line after unsportsmanlike conduct call on Penn State, but is forced into a three and out on their initial drive.
It looked like the UCF defense would stop PSU in the same fashion on their opening drive when Terrance Plummer got a hand on Hackenberg on 3rd down. Geathers was able to bring him down on the next set of downs to bring up 4th down, but an untimely roughing the kicker call gave PSU a new set of downs.
Hackenberg capitalized in a big way, completing a 44 yard pass to DaeSean Hamilton on the very next play to bring them to the UCF 2 yard line. After an apparent touchdown was called back on second down, Zach Zwinak finished the drive with a one yard plunge.
UCF 0 PSU 7
In a huge momentum swing, Jordan Akins tore through the PSU special teams to the 23 yard line, putting the Knights right back in it. After getting stopped at the one yard line, O’Leary called for a bootleg right on 4th down. DiNovo couldn’t find anyone and threw the ball away, giving the Nittany Lions the ball at their own one yard line.
Luckily for the Knights Jacoby Glenn is in top form, intercepting Hackenberg at the Penn State 37 yard line. Dontravious Wilson took the ball 4 yards on first down to end the quarter.
Second Quarter
UCF was able to move the chains on a nine yard completion to JJ Worton, but could not capitalize afterwards. DiNovo took off to avoid pressure on 3rd down and made a short gain, just not enough for a new set of downs. Sean Moffitt came in with ice in his veins and put UCF on the board with a 36 yard field goal.
UCF 3 PSU 7
Penn State is grinding out first down after first down, with Hackenberg making significant gains when the pocket breaks down around him. He drove down the field in the middle of the second and taking Penn State to the 2nd yard line after three straight 3rd down conversions.
The Knights were not going to take that lying down however, and stuffed three straight plays to bring out the field goal unit. Penn State put it through with ease from so close, extending the lead to 7 again. The drive ate up over six minutes, putting the Knights further behind in the battle for clock control.
UCF 3 PSU 10
The UCF offense came out and looked lackluster yet again before a roughing the kicker call salvaged them from a three-and-out. Unable get a spark going, however, the Knights gained only with the gifted set of downs – punting in a 4th and 8 situation. At this point DiNovo is 2-6 for 14 yards.
Penn State took the punt back to the 21 yard line with 2:10 remaining in the half. The offense did not waste much time at all in conducting an efficient two minute drill. Hackenberg completed 4 of 6 passes for 49 yards before an offensive pass interference call on third down set up a 3rd and 25 from the 39 yard line. Excellent coverage by the UCF secondary saved a touchdown when a Knight got his hand on the ball in the end zone to bring up 4th down with 22 seconds left in the half.
A failed 4th and very long attempt resulted in a Thomas Niles sack to give UCF possession at their 47 yard line and 14 seconds left.
Holman took over the offense at this point, and was immediately sacked to end the half.
Third Quarter
Penn State began the second half at the 30 yard line after the kickoff, but made short work of the UCF defense, moving past the midfield mark with just a handful of plays. The Knights quickly recovered, getting serious 3rd down pressure and swatting a Hackenberg pass away to regain possession.
DiNovo came back in to orchestrate the first drive of the half, looking for redemption and finding only PSU lineman in his face – getting sacked for a six yard loss. His third down pass was short, finding the tip of a Nittany Lion’s fingers for yet another three-and-out.
Jordan Ozerites fell victim to Hamilton yet again for a huge chuck of yardage, giving up 38 yards on PSU’s first play of the drive.
UCF 3 PSU 13
O’Leary switched quarterbacks again after the score, sending Justin Holman back in as an attempt to jump start the stagnant offense.
Holman was put in a tough spot after a run for no gain and a penalty that set up 2nd and 15, but found his man in JJ Worton and set the Knights up with a new set of downs. He then made magic.
A long, arcing pass left Holman’s hand on third and nine, finding Breshad Perriman for 50 yards to bring UCF to the two yard line. It once again came down to third down, and once again the offense converted – Holman kept it for the one yard score.
UCF 10 PSU 13
The whole team seemed fired up from the score, coming out strong with a sack from Jaryl Mamea for a loss of nine. On third down, it all fell apart. Hackenberg found a wide open Eugene Lewis for a 79 yard touchdown on 3rd and 17. There was not a defender within ten yards of him when he caught the ball.
UCF 10 PSU 20
UCF took the kickoff back to the 22 yard line, looking for redemption. Holman found JJ Worton once again for a much needed 46 yard gain, threading the ball through a sea of players. Worton then turned ghost, making multiple defenders miss as he fought for extra yards, electrifying the crowd as the ball was spotted at the PSU 13 yard line thanks in part to a roughing the passer call on the same play that added 14 yards.
Fourth Quarter
Justin Holman completed his fifth consecutive pass to set UCF up with a 1st and goal, but was soon faced with a 3rd and goal from the ten yard line after two offensive penalties.
Holman recovered the offense, and threw a strike to Breshad Perriman for a 10 yard touchdown.
UCF 17 PSU 20
After giving up the score, Penn State on second down were given a quick pass interference penalty on Brandon Alexander. That penalty led to another quick first down for Penn State, until UCF’s Jordan Ozerities made a diving interception giving UCF a first down from their own 39, electrifying the UCF sidelines.
On the first drive for the Knights after the interception, however, Holman coughed up the ball fumbling to Penn State, and gave them not only possession, but also the momentum.
Then just seconds later, Penn State’s Hackenberg passed complete to Chris Goodwin, but the defense made him fumble, with Safety Clayton Geathers recovering, giving UCF the ball on their 29.
After a quick three and out by the knights resulting in a punt, Penn State’s Hackenberg on 3rd and 9 threw a 41 yard bomb that was caught by Lewis while falling, giving the Nittany Lions enough distance to extend their lead with a 24 yard field goal.
UCF 17 PSU 23
Holman took the reins on this drive, with three completions to three different receivers. The first to Worton for six yards for a first down, then one right after to Breshad Perriman for 22 yards, followed by three straight incompletions.
On 4th and 10, however, the offense stayed on the field, and Justin Holman completed a 37 yard pass to a third receiver in Josh Reese for a first down and goal at Penn States six yard line. Then Holman ran it in for his second rushing touchdown, giving UCF their first lead of the game.
UCF 24 PSU 23
With just 1:13 left in the game, Penn State started their drive at their own 26 yard line, and ended up with a quick 4th and 3 situation. Hackenberg, however, managed to scramble out and get the first down with his feet.
Then after Hackenberg threw two more quick passes to Geno Lewis for 27 more yards, the Nittany Lions called their second timeout with 3 seconds remaining on the UCF 19 yard line.
Sam Ficken cleared the uprights as time expired to give the Knights their first loss of the season.
UCF 24 PSU 26
FINAL SCORE
[myrelposts-related title=”More Special Coverage of UCF in Dublin:“]
