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UCF extends bowl streak, powers past Houston 27-13
ORLANDO, FL (AP) R.J. Harvey rushed for 136 yards and his two second-half touchdowns powered UCF to its eighth straight season of bowl eligibility as the Knights wrapped up their first season in the Big 12 with a 27-13 win over Houston on Saturday.
Harvey in the process wrote himself into UCF (6-6, 3-6 Big 12) history with his 15th and 16th rushing touchdowns of the year, tying him for the second most in the program's history. His 1,296 rushing yards for the season place him fourth.
It was a strong way to cap off their first season in the Big 12 despite the struggles of a five-game losing streak to debut in the new conference. Reaching bowl eligibility was sill an important marker for the team.
“It was really important," Harvey said. "The season didn't go how we wanted it to go. To close it out with a win, get six wins and go to a bowl game is really big for the first time in the Big 12.”
The Knights had to rally themselves throughout the season. That was the case in the finale against Houston (4-8, 2-7), too.
But after a back-and-forth first half, UCF took control in the second half with a three-play 81-yard drive to open the third quarter. That drive started with a 57-yard pass from John Rhys Plumlee to Javon Baker before Harvey capped it off with a 21-yard touchdown run.
Plumlee had a big game for the Knights, completing 23 of 27 for 253 yards and rushing for 58 more. He threw for one touchdown and ran for another.
“UCF has been playing championship-caliber football for a long time," Plumlee said. "We just wanted to continue that legacy. We obviously went through a rough patch and so it's been tough on us. To be able to grind it out and get to a bowl game is a pretty special thing for this team to do.”
The game was not without its chances for Houston.
Quarterback Donovan Smith led the Cougars on an eight-play, 75-yard drive on the opening possession of the game, throwing a forward pitch to Stephon Johnson for a 16-yard touchdown. Smith tallied 161 pass yards and 24 rush yards.
The Cougars struggled to get back on the board, failing to find the end zone the rest of the game and driving into UCF territory just once in the second half.
Houston's only score in the second half came on a field goal when the Cougars were driven back from the goal line by two penalties and a sack from UCF's Jason Johnson.
“Our inability to be able to execute and focus was a problem,” Houston coach Dana Holgersen said. “We had a hard time getting things going in the second half. They came out and we didn't know what we were going to get out of them in the second half and they turned things up. I thought we were about to turn things up and we didn’t. They did.”
UCF outgained Houston 476-260 for the game and 204-74 in the second half. The Knights recorded four sacks and seven tackles for a loss.
SENIOR SUPERLATIVES
UCF honored its seniors in a ceremony before the game. Honorees on the field included linebacker Jason Johnson, defensive lineman Tre'Mon Morris-Brash, wide receiver Kobe Hudson, quarterback John Rhys Plumlee, offensive lineman Lokahi Pauole, defensive Josh Celiscar and running back R.J. Harvey.
Hudson tied his career-high in receptions in the first quarter and finished with a career-high nine catches for 98 yards.
UCF coach Gus Malzahn said he credited his seniors for keeping the team together during a five-game losing streak to rally and finish the season strong to reach bowl eligibility and get one more game together.
BIG 12 DEBUTS
Both UCF and Houston - along with Cincinnati and BYU - struggled to get their footing in their first season in the Big 12. The four newcomers combined for a record of 7-25 in the conference entering the final weekend with those four teams combining for only four wins against legacy Big 12 opponents. The Cougars were the only team to get two wins over those teams.
Holgersen helped transition West Virginia from the Big East to the Big 12 back in 2012 and called this transition very different than it was 10-plus years ago because of the nature of the transfer portal.
His first Big 12 team at West Virginia finished 4-5 in conference play.
BOOM AND BUST
UCF kicker Colton Boomer has been a model of consistency all season making 12 of 17 field goals, including kicks of 50- and 55-yards in the win over Boise State. Before missing an extra point at the end of last week's game against Texas Tech, Boomer had made 84 straight PATs (the third-longest streak at UCF).
But Boomer missed a field goal late and had a PAT blocked against Texas Tech last week. Those struggles continued as he missed a PAT off the upright, pushed a 42-yard field goal wide right and had a 27-yard field goal blocked to end the first half.
UCF coach Gus Malzahn said the team hopes he can adjust his form and get back on track during the time off before the bowl game.
UP NEXT
Houston's season is over after finishing 4-8 overall and 2-7 in their inaugural Big 12 season.
UCF finished its season at 6-6 overall and 3-6 in their debut season in the Big 12. They will await their decision on a bowl game next week.
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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll
Copyright 2024 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
S. Johnson
5 WR 69 ReYds, ReTD, 6 RECs, 13 RuYds |
|
J. Plumlee
10 WR 253 PaYds, PaTD, 58 RuYds, RuTD |
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 18 | 23 |
Rushing | 8 | 12 |
Passing | 8 | 10 |
Penalty | 2 | 1 |
3rd Down Conv | 1-10 | 6-13 |
4th Down Conv | 3-5 | 2-3 |
Total Net Yards | 260 | 476 |
Total Plays | 52 | 70 |
Avg Gain | 5.0 | 6.8 |
Net Yards Rushing | 95 | 223 |
Rush Attempts | 31 | 43 |
Avg Rush Yards | 3.1 | 5.2 |
Yards Passing | 165 | 253 |
Comp. - Att. | 13-21 | 23-27 |
Yards Per Pass | 5.3 | 8.0 |
Penalties - Yards | 4-20 | 4-33 |
Touchdowns | 1 | 4 |
Rushing TDs | 0 | 3 |
Passing TDs | 1 | 1 |
Other | 0 | 0 |
Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 1-0 |
Int. Thrown | 1 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 2-30.0 | 1-33.0 |
Return Yards | 0 | 17 |
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 1-17 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 1-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
S. Sneed
21 RB
|
S. Sneed | 3 | 34 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Smith
1 QB
|
D. Smith | 14 | 24 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Mathis Jr.
24 RB
|
T. Mathis Jr. | 6 | 20 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Johnson
12 WR
|
S. Johnson | 1 | 13 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Jenkins
23 RB
|
P. Jenkins | 5 | 8 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
U. Ale
10 QB
|
U. Ale | 2 | -4 | 0 | 1 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
J. Manjack IV
0 WR
|
J. Manjack IV | 7 | 4 | 74 | 0 | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Johnson
12 WR
|
S. Johnson | 8 | 6 | 69 | 1 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Cobbs
18 WR
|
J. Cobbs | 1 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
P. Jenkins
23 RB
|
P. Jenkins | 3 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 6 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
D. Ugwoegbu
12 DL
|
D. Ugwoegbu | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Williams
0 DL
|
S. Williams | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Caldwell
93 DL
|
J. Caldwell | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
J. Martin
41 K
|
J. Martin | 2/2 | 34 | 1/1 | 7 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
L. Wilkins
22 P
|
L. Wilkins | 2 | 30.0 | 0 | 35 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
J. Plumlee
10 QB
|
J. Plumlee | 23/27 | 253 | 1 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
R. Harvey
7 RB
|
R. Harvey | 21 | 136 | 2 | 32 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Plumlee
10 QB
|
J. Plumlee | 15 | 58 | 1 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Richardson
0 RB
|
J. Richardson | 3 | 15 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Richards
6 RB
|
M. Richards | 2 | 13 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
X. Townsend
3 WR
|
X. Townsend | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
K. Hudson
2 WR
|
K. Hudson | 12 | 9 | 98 | 0 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Baker
1 WR
|
J. Baker | 2 | 2 | 59 | 0 | 57 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Holler
82 TE
|
A. Holler | 5 | 5 | 44 | 0 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
X. Townsend
3 WR
|
X. Townsend | 5 | 5 | 42 | 1 | 28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Pittman Jr.
13 TE
|
R. Pittman Jr. | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Richards
6 RB
|
M. Richards | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Baker
19 WR
|
J. Baker | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
J. Johnson
0 LB
|
J. Johnson | 2-1 | 2.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Marshall
4 DB
|
B. Marshall | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Morris-Brash
3 DE
|
T. Morris-Brash | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Lawrence
51 DE
|
M. Lawrence | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Thornton
14 DB
|
C. Thornton | 0-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. Yates III
27 LB
|
W. Yates III | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
C. Boomer
35 K
|
C. Boomer | 0/2 | 0 | 3/4 | 3 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. McCarthy
40 P
|
M. McCarthy | 1 | 33.0 | 0 | 33 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. Richardson
0 RB
|
J. Richardson | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
X. Townsend 3 WR
|
X. Townsend | 1 | 17.0 | 17 | 0 |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | HOU 25 | 4:26 | 8 | 75 | TD |
5:31 | HOU 25 | 3:35 | 8 | 60 | FG |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
12:58 | HOU 25 | 1:50 | 4 | 40 | INT |
6:08 | HOU 25 | 4:55 | 11 | 31 | Downs |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
14:07 | HOU 25 | 2:11 | 4 | 9 | Punt |
9:04 | HOU 25 | 1:27 | 4 | 19 | Punt |
2:30 | HOU 50 | 7:22 | 11 | 34 | FG |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
2:58 | HOU 20 | 1:18 | 4 | 0 | Downs |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
10:34 | UCF 6 | 5:03 | 13 | 94 | TD |
1:56 | UCF 25 | 3:58 | 8 | 75 | TD |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
11:08 | UCF 19 | 5:00 | 10 | 56 | FG Miss |
1:13 | UCF 44 | 1:13 | 8 | 47 | Blocked FG |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | UCF 19 | 0:53 | 3 | 81 | TD |
11:56 | UCF 48 | 2:52 | 7 | 52 | TD |
7:37 | UCF 31 | 5:07 | 9 | 19 | Downs |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
10:08 | UCF 25 | 7:10 | 11 | 42 | Punt |
1:40 | HOU 20 | 1:40 | 3 | 5 | Game |
- Touchdown (8 plays, 75 yards, 4:26 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) C.Boomer kicks 65 yards from UCF 35 to the HOU End Zone. Touchback. |
+13 YD | 1 & 10 - HOU 25 (15:00 - 1st) S.Johnson rushed to HOU 38 for 13 yards. Pushed out of bounds by UCF at HOU 38. |
+3 YD | 1 & 10 - HOU 38 (14:30 - 1st) P.Jenkins rushed to HOU 41 for 3 yards. Tackled by B.Marshall at HOU 41. |
+15 YD | 2 & 7 - HOU 41 (13:53 - 1st) D.Smith rushed to UCF 44 for 15 yards. Tackled by UCF at UCF 44. |
+3 YD | 1 & 10 - UCF 44 (13:21 - 1st) P.Jenkins rushed to UCF 41 for 3 yards. Tackled by J.Johnson; W.Yates at UCF 41. |
+4 YD | 2 & 7 - UCF 41 (12:40 - 1st) P.Jenkins rushed to UCF 37 for 4 yards. Tackled by UCF at UCF 37. |
No Gain | 3 & 3 - UCF 37 (11:45 - 1st) P.Jenkins rushed to UCF 37 for 0 yards. Tackled by UCF at UCF 37. |
+21 YD | 4 & 3 - UCF 37 (11:28 - 1st) D.Smith pass complete to UCF 37. Catch made by J.Manjack at UCF 37. Gain of 21 yards. Tackled by UCF at UCF 16. |
+16 YD | 1 & 10 - UCF 16 (10:58 - 1st) D.Smith pass complete to UCF 16. Catch made by S.Johnson at UCF 16. Gain of 16 yards. S.Johnson for 16 yards TOUCHDOWN. |
PAT Good | (10:34 - 1st) J.Martin extra point is good. |
- Touchdown (13 plays, 94 yards, 5:03 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (10:34 - 1st) J.Martin kicks 59 yards from HOU 35 to the UCF 6. J.Richardson returns the kickoff. Tackled by HOU at UCF 6. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - UCF 6 (10:34 - 1st) J.Plumlee steps back to pass. J.Plumlee pass incomplete intended for K.Hudson. |
+6 YD | 2 & 10 - UCF 6 (10:30 - 1st) J.Plumlee rushed to UCF 12 for 6 yards. Tackled by HOU at UCF 12. |
+23 YD | 3 & 4 - UCF 12 (10:01 - 1st) J.Plumlee pass complete to UCF 12. Catch made by K.Hudson at UCF 12. Gain of 23 yards. Tackled by HOU at UCF 35. |
+4 YD | 1 & 10 - UCF 35 (9:14 - 1st) R.Harvey rushed to UCF 39 for 4 yards. Tackled by HOU at UCF 39. |
+9 YD | 2 & 6 - UCF 39 (8:49 - 1st) J.Plumlee pass complete to UCF 39. Catch made by K.Hudson at UCF 39. Gain of 9 yards. Tackled by HOU at UCF 48. |
+2 YD | 1 & 10 - UCF 48 (8:19 - 1st) R.Harvey rushed to UCF 50 for 2 yards. Tackled by HOU at UCF 50. |
+4 YD | 2 & 8 - UCF 50 (8:03 - 1st) J.Richardson rushed to HOU 46 for 4 yards. Tackled by HOU at HOU 46. |
+9 YD | 3 & 4 - HOU 46 (7:35 - 1st) J.Plumlee rushed to HOU 37 for 9 yards. Tackled by HOU at HOU 37. |
+2 YD | 1 & 10 - HOU 37 (7:17 - 1st) J.Plumlee pass complete to HOU 37. Catch made by J.Baker at HOU 37. Gain of 2 yards. Tackled by HOU at HOU 35. |
+11 YD | 2 & 8 - HOU 35 (7:15 - 1st) M.Richards rushed to HOU 24 for 11 yards. M.Richards FUMBLES forced by HOU. Fumble RECOVERED by UCF-A.Holler at HOU 24. Tackled by HOU at HOU 24. |
+3 YD | 1 & 10 - HOU 24 (6:22 - 1st) J.Plumlee pass complete to HOU 24. Catch made by K.Hudson at HOU 24. Gain of 3 yards. Tackled by HOU at HOU 21. |
+13 YD | 2 & 7 - HOU 21 (6:21 - 1st) R.Harvey rushed to HOU 8 for 13 yards. Tackled by HOU at HOU 8. |
+8 YD | 1 & Goal - HOU 8 (6:01 - 1st) J.Plumlee rushed to HOU End Zone for 8 yards. J.Plumlee for 8 yards TOUCHDOWN. |
Missed PAT | (5:31 - 1st) C.Boomer extra point is no good. |
- Field Goal (8 plays, 60 yards, 3:35 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (5:31 - 1st) C.Boomer kicks 65 yards from UCF 35 to the HOU End Zone. Touchback. |
+13 YD | 1 & 10 - HOU 25 (5:31 - 1st) D.Smith pass complete to HOU 25. Catch made by S.Johnson at HOU 25. Gain of 13 yards. Tackled by UCF at HOU 38. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - HOU 38 (5:06 - 1st) D.Smith scrambles to HOU 38 for 0 yards. Tackled by UCF at HOU 38. PENALTY on UCF-L.Hunter Face Mask (15 Yards) 15 yards accepted. |
+12 YD | 1 & 10 - UCF 47 (4:40 - 1st) D.Smith pass complete to UCF 47. Catch made by J.Cobbs at UCF 47. Gain of 12 yards. Tackled by UCF at UCF 35. |
Penalty | 1 & 10 - UCF 35 (3:36 - 1st) PENALTY on UCF-UCF Defensive Too Many Men on Field 5 yards accepted. No Play. |
+12 YD | 1 & 5 - UCF 30 (3:38 - 1st) T.Mathis rushed to UCF 18 for 12 yards. Tackled by UCF at UCF 18. |
-5 YD | 1 & 10 - UCF 18 (3:19 - 1st) T.Mathis rushed to UCF 23 for -5 yards. Tackled by UCF at UCF 23. |
+8 YD | 2 & 15 - UCF 23 (2:59 - 1st) D.Smith pass complete to UCF 23. Catch made by S.Johnson at UCF 23. Gain of 8 yards. Pushed out of bounds by UCF at UCF 15. |
No Gain | 3 & 7 - UCF 15 (2:04 - 1st) D.Smith steps back to pass. D.Smith pass incomplete intended for S.Johnson. |
Field Goal | 4 & 7 - UCF 22 (2:00 - 1st) J.Martin 32 yard field goal attempt is good Center-J.Garza Holder-L.Wilkins. |
- Touchdown (8 plays, 75 yards, 3:58 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (1:56 - 1st) J.Martin kicks 57 yards from HOU 35 to the UCF 8. Fair catch by J.Richardson. |
+18 YD | 1 & 10 - UCF 25 (1:56 - 1st) J.Plumlee pass complete to UCF 25. Catch made by K.Hudson at UCF 25. Gain of 18 yards. Pushed out of bounds by HOU at UCF 43. |
+4 YD | 1 & 10 - UCF 43 (1:34 - 1st) J.Plumlee pass complete to UCF 43. Catch made by K.Hudson at UCF 43. Gain of 4 yards. Tackled by HOU at UCF 47. |
-2 YD | 2 & 6 - UCF 47 (0:54 - 1st) J.Plumlee rushed to UCF 45 for -2 yards. Tackled by HOU at UCF 45. PENALTY on UCF-UCF Illegal Shift 5 yards declined. |