How it Happened- The Bearcats would strike first after winning the toss and taking the ball right away leading to a 10-play drive that resulted in a 39-yard field goal from Carter Brown. The Bearcats drive consisted of eight run plays as they knew they had to establish the run game early as UCF entered this one allowing 210 yards per game on the ground, which is the worst in the Big 12.
The Knights would respond with a huge 6 play drive going 60 yards following two huge penalties on the Bearcats defense set the Knights up with prime real estate deep in Bearcats territory resulting in an eight yard touchdown run from John Rhys Plumlee gave the Knights a 7-3 lead. Following the play Bearcats safety Bryon Threats was ejected for making contact with an official, which would be a huge loss for the Bearcats defense.
However, Brady Lichtenberg would replace Emory Jones at quarterback following the Bearcats second drive following the turnover on downs. Satterfield had mentioned earlier this week he thought Lichtenberg has earned a chance to play and was quick to make the change this afternoon. However, Lichtenberg’s first drive would stall following a huge tackle for loss from the Knights set the Bearcats up for a long third down. Mason Fletcher would come in and flip the field for the Bearcats and pin the Knights at their own 3 yard line.
The Bearcats had a huge opportunity to get back in this game early in the second quarter as Lichtenberg had the Bearcats offense driving early. Lichtenberg connected with a wide-open Xzavier Henderson who got caught from behind and stripped and was recovered by UCF at the Knights 11-yard line to for yet another Bearcats turnover.
The Knights would capitalize off the turnover following an eight-play drive capped off by a 13 yard touchdown run from RJ Harvey. A huge momentum switch for the Knights as the Bearcats quickly found themselves in a huge hole.
Emory Jones returned for the Bearcats and provided a nice spark after a huge drive by running back Ryan Montgomery who racked up 45 yards on the ground that drive. Jones, threw a beautiful out route to Braden Smith from 11 yards out to make this a 14-10 game to cap off a six play, 73 yard drive for the Bearcats.
However, the Bearcats would outgain the Knights 291-178 in the first half, but yet still found themselves trailing 14-10 at the break. The Bearcats defense was really missing Bryon Threats who was ejected early in this one for making contact with an official. However, the bright spot for the Bearcats was the run game was keeping the Bearcats in this one as Corey Kiner and Ryan Montgomery combined for nearly 170 yards of offense. The Bearcats were just struggling to get the passing game going despite playing both Emory Jones and Brady Lichtenberg. Turnovers and penalties were the difference maker in the first half though after three straight penalties set up a UCF touchdown in the first quarter. The Bearcats limit those this may be a different outcome at the half.
The Bearcats would take their first lead since the early minutes of this one following a seven play, 75-yard drive that was capped off with a 1-yard touchdown run from Ryan Montgomery. The drive was highlighted by a huge 40-yard gain to Donovan Ollie on third down, and a 29-yard run by Montgomery to march into Knights territory.
The Knights answered right back following a ten play, 85 yard drive that was capped off by a 25 yard touchdown run from RJ Harvey for his second touchdown of the day. Harvey, slipped the Bearcats defense and broke out to the right and walked into the endzone with ease to give the Knights a 21-17 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Bearcats had a huge opportunity to take the lead late in the fourth quarter after Emory Jones connected with Braden Smith for a huge 35 yard gain on fourth and 9 to set the Bearcats up deep in the redzone. However, penalties hurt the Bearcats and they had to settle for a field goal as Carter Brown would knock in the 28 yard chip shot to make this a 21-20 game with 6:21 remaining.
However, the Bearcats defense would give up a huge splash play late in the fourth quarter that set the Knights up deep in Bearcats territory with 5 minutes remaining. The Knights leaned on their best player in RJ Harvey who took the direct snap in for his third touchdown of the day that gave the Knights a 28-20 lead with 2:41 remaining.
Emory Jones and the Bearcats rallied back after Jones kicked off the drive with a huge 20-yard scramble. Jones then connected with Braden Smith down the sideline for a huge 36-yard gain setting the Bearcats up at the Knights 6-yard line. However, a costly false start penalty pushed them back, but Corey Kiner would march in from seven yards out two plays later to make this a 26-28 game with the opportunity to tie this one up. Jones, then tried to squeeze one into Dee Wiggins in double coverage, but if he waited just a slight second longer, he could’ve found a wide open Chamon Metayer in the back of the end-zone that could have tied this one up.
However, the Knights defense stands tall, and they pick up their first Big 12 conference victory and ruin any chances of the Bearcats playing in a bowl game this season. This is now the first time since 2017 that the Bearcats have been ineligible for a bowl game.
Up Next- The Bearcats will be back in action when they travel to Houston next week to take on Dana Holgorson and the Houston Cougars.
