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UCF |
TEMPLE |
No. 14 UCF rolls Temple 45-19, heads to War on I-4 unbeaten
PHILADELPHIA (AP) ļæ½ļæ½ There were so many reasons for UCF coach Scott Frost to worry about his team's focus this week.
With a huge game looming, playing an improving Temple team in a stadium where the empty seats outnumbered the filled ones by about a 3-1 ratio on a chilly, gray day had all the makings of a tricky spot for the Knights.
Then Frost saw his wide receivers and defensive backs warming up at Lincoln Financial Field with their shirts off in the 40-degree temperatures.
"I knew right then our team's mindset was in the right place," Frost said.
McKenzie Milton threw four touchdown passes and ran for a score as No. 14 Central Florida comfortably took care of business against Temple, winning 45-19 Saturday to stay unbeaten heading into a division title showdown with rival USF.
The Knights (10-0, 7-0 American Athletic conference, CFP No. 15) turned three Temple turnovers inside the Owls' 25 into 17 first-half points, taking a 31-10 lead when Gabriel Davis stretched across the goal line for a 5-yard touchdown reception with 2:36 left in the second quarter.
Tre'Quan Smith, who had a remarkable one-handed catch, tippy-toeing the sideline to set up a touchdown in the first half, said the coaches were stressing all week that they had to play without long sleeves. So the receivers took it a step further.
"All right we got something for them if we come out in no shirts. Show them we're ready to play," Smith said. "We show them we can play in the cold, too, even though we Florida boys."
The AAC East Division will be decided in Orlando, Florida, on Black Friday, when No. 23 South Florida (9-1, 6-1) visits UCF. Temple (5-6, 3-4) could have been easy to overlook for the Knights. The game had no bearing on whether they play for a conference title and a loss probably wouldn't have damaged their chances to receive a bid to a New Year's Six bowl.
With speculation swirling about where second-year coach Frost might be coaching next and so much chatter about whether UCF is getting enough love in the rankings, the Knights stayed on task.
"I was a little worried about this game, being the game before the game," Frost said. "Being in the cold, being our ninth straight week playing a football game. A lot of factors pointed toward this one potentially being a tough one and our guys responded."
Shaquem Griffin, the 2016 AAC defensive player of the year whose left hand was amputated when he was 4, was all over the field for the UCF defense. He forced a fumble in the first half that set up a score and made his second career interception in the second half, running step-for-step down field with a receiver and cradling the ball into his chest.
"When you got big games and you got games coming up, it's very hard to focus on just one, but I think that we've been doing a really good job of just focusing on one game at a time. And you kind of see where it led us," Griffin said.
Frank Nutile, who helped revive Temple's offense when he took over at quarterback four games ago, was picked off four times. Nutile said he apologized to his teammates for a poor game.
"At the end of the day our goal is to send the seniors off the right way. Finish off 6-6. Get bowl eligible and stuff like that. It's still right," Nutile said.
THE TAKEAWAY
UCF: The Knights have so many ways to attack. Six different players scored touchdowns, including freshman Otis Anderson, who is listed on the depth chart as a wide receiver but also is one of the team's leading rushers. He had 62 yards on five carries against Temple and caught a touchdown pass.
Temple: The Owls tried to slow the pace against the Knights, but turnovers killed that plan. Temple is not built to get into a back-and-forth game with the highest scoring team in the country.
WOOING FROST
There were Nebraska fans in the stand, sitting right next to the UCF tunnel that led to the field, with signs that read, "Scott Come Back Home." Not to be outdone, another group of fans Tennessee fans had signs that read, "We Found Our Coach" and "There's Frost In Our Forecast."
UP NEXT
UCF: The War on Interstate 4 has never been bigger. "Can't wait," UCF linebacker Pat Jasinski said. "Can't wait."
Temple: The Owls try again to reach bowl eligibility, this time at Tulsa.
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Follow Ralph D. Russo at www.Twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP
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Copyright 2017 by AP. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of AP is strictly prohibited.
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
O. AndersonĀ
26 WR
|
O. Anderson | 5 | 58 | 0 | 32 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Killins Jr.Ā
9 RB
|
A. Killins Jr. | 10 | 30 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. MiltonĀ
10 QB
|
M. Milton | 6 | 23 | 1 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. RichardsonĀ
29 RB
|
C. Richardson | 7 | 8 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. VedralĀ
16 QB
|
N. Vedral | 5 | 7 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. McGowanĀ
12 RB
|
T. McGowan | 5 | 6 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. SnelsonĀ
5 WR
|
D. Snelson | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
T. SmithĀ
4 WR
|
T. Smith | 0 | 4 | 89 | 1 | 41 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
E. Logan-GreenĀ
7 WR
|
E. Logan-Green | 0 | 1 | 46 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. ColubialeĀ
86 TE
|
M. Colubiale | 0 | 1 | 35 | 0 | 35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. WilliamsĀ
17 WR
|
M. Williams | 0 | 3 | 30 | 1 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
O. AndersonĀ
26 WR
|
O. Anderson | 0 | 2 | 18 | 1 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. FranksĀ
15 TE
|
J. Franks | 0 | 3 | 17 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
G. DavisĀ
13 WR
|
G. Davis | 0 | 2 | 16 | 1 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Killins Jr.Ā
9 RB
|
A. Killins Jr. | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. SnelsonĀ
5 WR
|
D. Snelson | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ke. JohnsonĀ
82 WR
|
Ke. Johnson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. McGowanĀ
12 RB
|
T. McGowan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
C. BurkettĀ
2 LB
|
C. Burkett | 6-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. HughesĀ
19 DB
|
M. Hughes | 6-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. JasinskiĀ
56 LB
|
P. Jasinski | 5-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. PittmanĀ
5 DL
|
J. Pittman | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. MitchellĀ
55 LB
|
E. Mitchell | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. NealĀ
23 DB
|
T. Neal | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. GueradĀ
93 DL
|
T. Guerad | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. GriffinĀ
18 LB
|
S. Griffin | 2-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. ClarkeĀ
14 DB
|
N. Clarke | 2-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. GibsonĀ
25 DB
|
K. Gibson | 2-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. GebkaĀ
47 DB
|
J. Gebka | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. EvansĀ
44 LB
|
N. Evans | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. ConnorsĀ
91 DL
|
J. Connors | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. LowryĀ
49 DL
|
S. Lowry | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. MontalvoĀ
94 DL
|
A. Montalvo | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. DavisĀ
10 LB
|
T. Davis | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. LuyandaĀ
24 LB
|
G. Luyanda | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. DavisĀ
22 LB
|
K. Davis | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. OdigieĀ
90 DL
|
J. Odigie | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. MooreĀ
20 DB
|
B. Moore | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. HillĀ
9 DL
|
T. Hill | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
M. WrightĀ
11 K
|
M. Wright | 1/1 | 44 | 6/6 | 9 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. LoudermilkĀ
48 P
|
M. Loudermilk | 5 | 39.4 | 4 | 62 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
D. HoodĀ
24 RB
|
D. Hood | 12 | 81 | 0 | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. RitrovatoĀ
45 FB
|
R. Ritrovato | 5 | 41 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. WrightĀ
13 WR
|
I. Wright | 4 | 32 | 0 | 26 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. ArmsteadĀ
7 RB
|
R. Armstead | 7 | 18 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
F. NutileĀ
18 QB
|
F. Nutile | 6 | 14 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. WilliamsĀ
26 WR
|
T. Williams | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
A. JenningsĀ
17 WR
|
A. Jennings | 0 | 2 | 88 | 1 | 74 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. KirkwoodĀ
5 WR
|
K. Kirkwood | 0 | 3 | 32 | 1 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
V. BryantĀ
19 WR
|
V. Bryant | 0 | 4 | 26 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
R. JonesĀ
81 WR
|
R. Jones | 0 | 2 | 24 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
I. WrightĀ
13 WR
|
I. Wright | 0 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. YeboahĀ
84 TE
|
K. Yeboah | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
R. ArmsteadĀ
7 RB
|
R. Armstead | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. HoodĀ
24 RB
|
D. Hood | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. BlueĀ
86 WR
|
J. Blue | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. MyarickĀ
85 TE
|
C. Myarick | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. EllickĀ
27 WR
|
M. Ellick | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
J. TaylorĀ
94 DL
|
J. Taylor | 9-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. FranklinĀ
36 LB
|
S. Franklin | 5-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. JonesĀ
40 LB
|
T. Jones | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. ChandlerĀ
3 DB
|
S. Chandler | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. BradleyĀ
23 LB
|
S. Bradley | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. FinchĀ
6 DL
|
S. Finch | 4-0 | 2.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. RandallĀ
2 DB
|
D. Randall | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. JonesĀ
10 DB
|
M. Jones | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. WallsĀ
32 DB
|
B. Walls | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. KwenkeuĀ
35 LB
|
W. Kwenkeu | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. CrumpĀ
11 DB
|
L. Crump | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. MartinĀ
9 DL
|
J. Martin | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. BrownĀ
24 DB
|
K. Brown | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. SmithĀ
49 LB
|
C. Smith | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. KirkwoodĀ
5 WR
|
K. Kirkwood | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. FosterĀ
8 DB
|
A. Foster | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
A. BoumerhiĀ
97 K
|
A. Boumerhi | 2/3 | 41 | 1/1 | 7 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
I. WrightĀ
13 WR
|
I. Wright | 4 | 16.0 | 22 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. WilliamsĀ
26 WR
|
T. Williams | 2 | 15.0 | 17 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
F. JohnsonĀ
80 WR
|
F. Johnson | 1 | 40.0 | 40 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. LevineĀ
51 DL
|
D. Levine | 1 | 8.0 | 8 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |