Orlando, FL – Central Florida and Utah Utes backers totaling 40,747 both jumped and bounced together prior to kickoff at FBC Mortgage Stadium (“The Bounce House”) like we experienced before the fourth quarter at Camp Randall in Madison, Wisconsin two weeks ago. However, after a cold rainstorm drove through in the first period, probably half in attendance left. They missed the Utah Utes pour it on late to bounce the UCF Golden Knights, 28-14. This game took place between two teams who endured unexpected losing seasons, finished their seasons with no bowl invitations, and desired to fire their head coaches. The next day, one resigned. Conversations between Knights and Ute fans went like this – Utes: “Our coach can’t figure out how to score.” The Knight side responded, “Don’t worry, we can’t stop anybody.” Both teams looked inept in most cases. Playing of this the game obliged us to attend our 707th game this Friday evening. There were no other games worth attending in the state of Florida this Thanksgiving weekend.
Turnovers favor the Utah Utes
UCF’s first drive resulted in a 25-yard sack of QB Dylan Rizk. He fumbled and DE Logan Fano put the Utes in business at the UCF 46. Utah gained 25 yards. Cole Becker kicked a 37-yard field goal for an early Utah Ute lead, 3-0. Through the cold rain and well into the second period, the two struggling offenses punted to one another on six consecutive possessions. Maybe we were already looking at the final score? Finally, Utah’s defense lit up the scoreboard with an off-target pass intercepted by CB Zemaiah Vaughn for a 60-yard pick-six.
However, the scoring didn’t subside after that. Starting a drive from their 11, the Golden Knights converted a fourth and one at the Utah 33 with a 23-yard run by RJ Harvey. Two snaps later, he scored on a five-yard TD run. Not only was he the one bright spot for the UCF offense with 119 yards on 20 carries, but he also set the Golden Knights record for TDs in a career there with his 47th overall, 24th of this season. He added another on a pass reception later in the game. Utah retaliated right before the half ended with Corey Coleman’s 24-yard FG for a 13-7 halftime lead.
Fire Gus!
In the third period, Utah’s first two possession totaled nine plays for just one yard of offense. UCF fared worse. The first went for -6 yards and the second resulted in a turnover on downs at their 49 giving the Utah Utes great field position. “Fire Gus (HC Malzahn)!” came the cries from Golden Knight fans. Utah took advantage starting a drive going into the last quarter. Fourteen seconds in, QB Luke Bottari connected with Landen King for a15-yard scoring pass. Utah Utes HC Kyle Wittingham decided to extend the lead by 14. Bottari successfully connected with RB Micah Bernard for the two-point conversion to lead, 21-7.
Turnover time again!
The next two UCF possessions turned over on downs to the Utah Utes who punted after three-and-outs. The Utes’ punter, Jack Bouwmeester, who booted a 62-yarder earlier, placed this next one at the UCF 10. Two plays later, CB Smith Snowden swooped in front of a pass and returned it 13 yards for a touchdown. With 3:27 left to play, Utes fans cheered and Knight fans exited with Utah up, 21-7. The game was dismal. On the way out, basically a scrimmage between second stringers took place. With 19 seconds to play, Knight QB EJ Colson tossed a six-yard TD pass to RJ Harvey to add to his honors this day.
See them next year?
These two programs will play next in 2025. The Utah Utes (5-7, 2-7) will open against UCLA in the Rose Bowl next season. The Golden Knights will host the Jacksonville Gamecocks to open their season. They will be going in, however, without now former HC Gus Malzahn. The journeyman coach resigned the day after this loss to sign on as offensive coordinator at Florida State. Haven’t the Seminoles had it tough enough his past year? UCF fans will be delighted to replace him. They wanted him gone.
Collegefootballfan.com season continues
Speaking of Jacksonville State (8-4,6-2), we will see them host Western Kentucky next Friday night for the Conference USA Championship. We were misguided in our understanding of who could play in this game. However, the WKU Hill Toppers (8-4, 6-2) will visit JSU after defeating them in their season finale on Saturday, 19-17. The Toppers triumphed on Lucas Carneiro’s fourth FG of the day from 50 yards out with three seconds left to play in Bowling Green. In the process, JSU starting QB Tyler Huff, who keys their running attack, left the game injured and did not return. We watched him lead the Gamecocks over Kennesaw State this season, 63-14.
On Saturday, we will travel from Jacksonville, Alabama to Macon, Georgia to attend a second round FCS playoff game. The No. 7 Mercer Bears (10-2) of the Southern Conference will host the No. 10 Rhode Island Rams (10-2) of the Colonial Athletic. URI defeated Central Connecticut State (7-5), 21-17, in the opening round. In 1979, we attended Game No. 1 of our history at Rhode Island when they fell to Delaware, 49-14. Delaware won the D-2 National Championship that season under legendary HC Harold “Tubby” Raymond. After next week, we will have to consider our options regarding playoffs and bowls.
Edited by Steve Koreivo – Member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. Click on the title to get your copy and submit your review today! It will make a great Holiday Gift for any college football fan in your family.
