Written by Francisco Vera.
UCF gets a lovely win against Bill Belichick and the UNC Tar Heels 34-9, making them 3-0 before moving into conference play.
The Acrisure Bounce House was rocking from the start, helping the knights jump to a quick 7-0 lead after Tayven Jackson finished a great first drive by running 13 yards to the end zone.
The momentum remained in the Knights’ favor as after 3 plays into the Tar Heels’ first drive, Nyjalik Kelly intercepted Gio Lopez’s pass to give UCF the ball back.
A Noe Ruelas field goal, followed by a UNC three-and-out, capped off the first quarter. UCF looked to be in the driver’s seat, with the Tar Heels unable to move the ball efficiently. The score at the end of the first was a 10-0 UCF lead.
The second quarter kept favoring the Knights as their first drive of the quarter resulted in another Noe Ruelas field goal. And as the Tar Heels seemed to get a good drive going, Braeden Marshall picked off Gio Lopez.
Once the Tar Heels got the ball back, they finally put points on the board thanks to a Rece Verhoff field goal, making the score 3-13.
This field goal did not affect the Knights’ momentum as they drove down the field in a minute and four seconds. Tayven Jackson would then find Kylan Fox in the end zone for another UCF touchdown. The score going into halftime was a 20-3 Knights lead.
The Tar Heels kicked off the third quarter with another three-and-out, punting the ball yet again.
UCF looked the same as they did in the previous two quarters and did not have intentions to get the foot off the gas. This drive ended with a Myles Montgomery touchdown, stretching the lead even wider to 27-3.
UNC got the ball back, and after an unfortunate Gio Lopez injury, LSU and Texas A&M transfer Max Johnson was in the game for the Tar Heels. He culminated his first drive with a touchdown pass to Kobe Paysour. They attempted a two-point conversion but failed; the score was 27-9.
In the fourth quarter, UNC punted after their first drive, and after that it seemed that both teams were ready to call it a night.
UCF would then take over 10 minutes to drive down the field and capitalize with another touchdown scored by Jaden Nixon, officially putting the last nail in the coffin.
The final score was 34-9 with the Knights moving to a 3-0 record and the Tar Heels getting their second loss of the season (first one being TCU), now facing a 2-2 record.
The Knights will look to continue their undefeated run and begin Big 12 play, as they head to Manhattan, KS, and face the 1-3 Kansas State Wildcats.
