Football Falls at UCF, 38-13

Saturday, November 14

Orlando, FL

7:30PM

Temple University

1-5 , 1-5

UCF

5-2 , 4-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Temple

UCF

Photo by: Jhalen Wingate

Football Falls at UCF, 38-13

11.14.20 | Football

Box Score Game Book Rod Carey Press Conference Tayvon Ruley Press Conference Arnold Ebiketie Press Conference Amir Tyler Press Conference Re-al Mitchell Press Conference

ORLANDO – Two costly turnovers on Temple's first two possessions led to two quick UCF touchdowns and the Knights (5-2, 4-2 AAC) never looked back in handing the Owls (1-5, 1-5) a 38-13 defeat at the Bounce House Saturday night.

The Owls, playing for the third straight week with a roster depleted by injuries and Covid protocol issues, stayed close following the early 14-0 deficit and trailed by only 21-3 at the half. UCF, which leads the nation in total yards (652.5 ypg.), exploded for 17 third quarter points to break the contest open.

How it happened

First Quarter
The Owls started with the ball to begin the game but would not retain possession as a strip-sack of QB Re-al Mitchell, making the first start of his career, on the second play of the game gave the Knights the ball deep in Temple territory. A few plays later, UCF punched it in for the first touchdown of the game. A second turnover on the next Owls drive gave the Knights good field possession once again. UCF would capitalize, adding its second rushing touchdown of the game to take a 14-0 lead. A three-and-out on Temple's next drive set up UCF RB Greg McCrae for his second rushing touchdown of the night, extending the lead to 21-0 midway through the period.

Second Quarter
Temple got on the board early in the second quarter after Mitchell led the Owls on a 46-yard drive that resulted in a Rory Bell field goal. The defenses stood tall throughout most of the quarter as the Owls drove down into UCF territory before being stopped on a fourth-down attempt to lose possession midway through the quarter. On the very next drive, the Knights had a promising drive that reached the Temple 23-yard line before a sack by DE Arnold Ebiketie pushed UCF back, forcing a long 45-yard field goal that missed wide left. Stalled drives for each side at the end of the quarter would end the low-scoring period with the Knights taking a 21-3 lead into the break.

Third Quarter
After a long kickoff return into Owls territory to start the first half, UCF capitalized on the good field position. This time, WR Marlon Williams caught a 23-yard pass in the back of the end zone from QB Dillon Gabriel to get the scoring started in the second half. After a UCF field goal, Temple's third turnover of the contest gave the ball back to the Knights inside their own 10-yard line. A few big plays marched the Knights down the field with the drive capped off by another Williams touchdown catch from Gabriel. Nearing the end of the third quarter, an Ebiketie forced fumble gave the Owls the ball deep inside Knights' territory.

Fourth Quarter
Capitalizing on the short field, the Owls would score their first touchdown of the game courtesy of an Onasis Neely five-yard rushing touchdown. Midway through the fourth quarter, Temple tacked on three more points thanks to a 24-yard field goal from Bell.

Statistically Speaking

Ebiketie: One sack, one forced fumble, team-high nine tackles
Jadan Blue: Five catches for 71 yards
Tayvon Ruley: 23 carries for 90 yards

Notes

Blue: Moved into third place all-time in receptions (139)
Ebiketie: Sack in four of six games this season
Mitchell: First career start

Up Next
Up next, the Owls take on ECU for the front end of back-to-back home games on Saturday, November 21. Kickoff is set for 12:00pm and will air on ESPN+ and 97.5 The Fanatic.