This year’s homecoming game couldn’t have been more exciting than the match we had this Saturday against No. 20 Cincinnati. The Bearcats had won six in a row since a season-opening loss to Arkansas. This lead was spoiled by the Knights with a stunning performance in the last 48 seconds of the game. J Harvey goes to work with a 17-yard touchdown run, sending UCF to a 25-21 win.
@rjharvey07 WOULD NOT BE STOPPED pic.twitter.com/v3ORtlDoai
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) October 29, 2022
Not Last Week’s Defense that’s for Sure!
UCF (6-2, 3-1) took a 10-6 lead into halftime on the strength of a 26-yard touchdown run by Harvey. The Knights added a safety in the third quarter when Josh Celiscar sacked Bryant in the end zone. The game was very much a defense marvel. The Knight’s defense kept the game from getting away never letting down. The Bearcats attempted a few 4th down conversions that were mostly spoiled by the Knights.
UCF’s defense forced a big statement play by forcing a fumble inside Cincinnati’s own 20-yard line on fourth-and-30, which turned into an turnover on downs and gave UCF the upset victory.
Keene Show’s Signs of a Bright Future
UCF quarterback John Rhys Plumlee went down early the game but not before completing 7 of 11 for 71 yards. Plume also rushed for 31 yards in the game before being taken out.
Keene’s experience from starting 10 games last year as a true freshman proved to be invaluable. He walked into a tough situation, but one he was familiar with. Keene put together his best drive of the day when the Knights needed it most and kept UCF in contention for the American Athletic Conference championship.
It was hard to call any of his game time decisions bad during the battle against the No. 20 Cincinnati.
The Struggle was Real but the Knights Prevailed
The Knights were looking good, Harvey had 18 carries for 84 yards for UCF. The Knights finished with 258 yards on the ground and 247 through the air.
Following a fumble recovery, Bryant threw a 14-yard touchdown to Josh Whyte at the end of the third quarter. Whyte’s TD capped a 10-play, 84-yard drive. Bryant passed for 298 yards and a touchdown, and Montgomery had a team-high 40 yards rushing on three carries.
UCF fumbled twice on the evening, but UCF recovered both and turned one into a safety. Cincinnati’s Isaiah Bowser fumbled in the end zone, but the Bearcats were there to recover the ball. That was UCF’s first turnover of the game. UCF recovered twice on the evening, but they turned one of them into a safety. Cincinnati scored a late touchdown to cut UCF’s lead to 12-6 prior to the final quarter.
Let’s Go Knights
The Knights will now face the Memphis Tigers on Nov. 5. UCF and Cincinnati are now tied for second place in the AAC, with a match against the 7-1 Tulane Green Wave down the line. With performers like this they can hopefully make it to a more promising position by the end of season. The Knights have definitely made a 180 from last week’s performance.
