2018 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game

Last updated

2018 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game
4th AAC Championship Game
2018 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game Logo.svg
Championship Game Logo
1234Total
Memphis24143041
UCF714142156
DateDecember 1, 2018
Season 2018
Stadium Spectrum Stadium
Location Orlando, FL
MVPDarriel Mack Jr., QB, UCF
Favorite UCF by 1
Attendance45,176
United States TV coverage
Network ABC
Announcers Bob Wischusen (Play-By-Play)
Brock Huard (Analyst)
Allison Williams (Sidelines)
American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game
 < 2017   2019 > 
2018 American Athletic Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
No. 11 UCF x$  8 0   12 1  
Temple  7 1   8 5  
No. 24 Cincinnati  6 2   11 2  
South Florida  3 5   7 6  
East Carolina  1 7   3 9  
UConn  0 8   1 11  
West Division
Memphis xy  5 3   8 6  
Houston x  5 3   8 5  
Tulane x  5 3   7 6  
SMU  4 4   5 7  
Navy  2 6   3 10  
Tulsa  2 6   3 9  
Championship: UCF 56, Memphis 41
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2018 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game was an NCAA Division I college football conference championship game for the American Athletic Conference (AAC) played on December 1, 2018. [1] It was the 4th American Athletic Conference Championship, and was played at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando, Florida. [2]

Contents

UCF hosted Memphis, the second consecutive year the Knights hosted the Tigers in the American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game, and fourth meeting between the two schools in the past two seasons. With starting quarterback McKenzie Milton out for the season, the Knights rallied from a 17-point halftime deficit behind back-up quarterback Darriel Mack Jr. and won the conference championship for the second year in a row, and fourth time overall.

Teams

Memphis

Under the leadership of third-year head coach Mike Norvell, the Memphis Tigers entered the American Championship with a record of 8–4, 5–3 in conference play. They started the season 3–2, with both losses in-conference (at Navy, at Tulane). They rebounded by annihilating Connecticut at home, but then lost to No. 10 UCF. Following a non-conference loss the following week, the Tigers improved on their 4–4 record by winning all four of their remaining games, giving them a four-game win streak coming into their American title game rematch with the Knights.

UCF

With first-year head coach Josh Heupel at the helm, the No. 7 Knights entered the American title game riding a 24-game win streak dating back to the start of their 2017 season. Prior to the contest, their record stood at 11–0, 8–0 in conference play. The Knights opened the season ranked 21st in the AP poll, but steadily improved with wins over Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Memphis, Temple, No. 19 Cincinnati, and South Florida. The Knights entered the AAC Championship with a 12–1 record all-time against the Tigers; Memphis won their first meeting in 1990 and UCF took every matchup since. However, they faced a potentially devastating blow when the quarterback who had led them through their ongoing winning streak, McKenzie Milton, suffered a catastrophic knee injury in the South Florida game.

Game summary

First quarter

UCF inside the redzone in the first quarter 2018 American Athletic Conference Championship (46088540992).jpg
UCF inside the redzone in the first quarter

UCF won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half. On the fourth play of the game, Tigers running back Darrell Henderson broke free for a 62-yard touchdown run, and a quick 7–0 lead for Memphis. Knights quarterback Darriel Mack Jr. then fumbled away the ball at the UCF 27, leading to Henderson's second touchdown. The Knights finally got on the board, going 65 yards in 7 plays, with a 14-yard touchdown run by Greg McCrae. The Memphis rushing attack struck again quickly. Facing 3rd & 4 at their own 30 yard line, Patrick Taylor Jr. broke free for a 70-yard touchdown, and 21–7 lead. The miscues for the Knights continued, as Mack was sacked and fumbled, leading to a Tigers field goal and a shocking 24–7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Second quarter

As the second quarter began, the Knights were driving into Tigers territory. A 20-yard completion from Mack to Gabe Davis sparked the drive, and UCF eventually reached the red zone. Facing 3rd & Goal at the 6, Mack ran up the middle for an apparent touchdown, but the ball was fumbled and bouncing live into the endzone, dangerously close to going out-of-bounds. Michael Colubiale fell on the ball and recovered it for the UCF touchdown.

Darrell Henderson continued to punish the Knights defense. On the second play of their next drive, he blasted for an 82-yard touchdown run, and a 31–14 Tigers lead. With under 4 minutes left in the half, a Memphis punt set UCF deep at their own 6 yard line. Mack threw a 44-yard pass to Gabe Davis, then Greg McCrae broke free for a 47-yard run all the way to the 3 yard line. Mack's 4-yard touchdown pass to Jake Hescock made the score 31–21. The Knights forced a 3-and-out and Memphis punted with 1:50 remaining. But Otis Anderson muffed the punt, and Memphis recovered. With 21 seconds left in the half, Darrell Henderson connected with Sean Dykes for a 4-yard touchdown pass, and the Tigers led 38–21 at halftime.

Third quarter

UCF received the ball to start the third quarter, and proceeded to dominate the second half. The Knights would score five touchdowns on five consecutive drives, erasing a 17-point deficit, and held the Tigers to only three points in the second half. Darrell Henderson was held to only 3 yards in the second half, while Darriel Mack Jr. threw for a touchdown, and rushed for four more. Mack sparked the rally with a 54-yard touchdown to a wide-open Otis Anderson, who ran untouched to the endzone. Later, Memphis managed to drive to the UCF 2 yard line, but Brady White's pass to the endzone fell incomplete off the fingertips of Damonte Coxie as he hit the ground. The Tigers settled for a field goal, and clung to a 41–35 lead.

Fourth quarter

The Knights took their first lead of the game (42–41) with a touchdown in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter. With 9:26 remaining, Memphis kicker Riley Patterson missed a 36-yard field goal attempt, and the Knights held their lead. UCF iced the game with two more touchdown, and an interception in the endzone with 33 seconds to go. [3]

Quarterback Darriel Mack Jr., in only his second start for the Knights, finished with 348 yard passing, 2 touchdown passes, 59 yards rushing, and 4 rushing touchdowns, to claim the game's MVP honors. The Knights extended their winning streak to 25 games, and set a new NCAA Division I FBS record with their 25th consecutive game scoring 30 or more points.

Scoring summary

Scoring summary
QuarterTime Drive TeamScoring informationScore
Plays Yards TOP MEMUCF
113:134771:47MEM Darrell Henderson 62-yard touchdown run, Riley Patterson kick good70
111:552270:29MEMDarrell Henderson 12-yard touchdown run, Riley Patterson kick good140
19:487652:07UCFGreg McCrae 14-yard touchdown run, Matthew Wright kick good147
18:223761:26MEMPatrick Taylor 70-yard touchdown run, Riley Patterson kick good217
11:3011324:58MEM36-yard field goal by Riley Patterson247
211:52UCFFumble recovery returned 0 yards for touchdown by Michael Colubiale, Matthew Wright kick good2414
211:242810:28MEMDarrell Henderson 82-yard touchdown run, Riley Patterson kick good3114
22:414941:04UCFJake Hescock 4-yard touchdown reception from Darriel Mack, Jr., Matthew Wright kick good3121
20:215311:29MEMSean Dykes 4-yard touchdown reception from Darrell Henderson, Riley Patterson kick good3821
312:217792:39UCFOtis Anderson 54-yard touchdown reception from Darriel Mack, Jr., Matthew Wright kick good3828
36:558453:24UCFDarriel Mack, Jr. 4-yard touchdown run, Matthew Wright kick good3835
32:1311784:42MEM19-yard field goal by Riley Patterson4135
414:288762:45UCFDarriel Mack, Jr. 2-yard touchdown run, Matthew Wright kick good4142
46:378712:49UCFDarriel Mack, Jr. 2-yard touchdown run, Matthew Wright kick good4149
42:298822:37UCFDarriel Mack, Jr. 5-yard touchdown run, Matthew Wright kick good4156
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.4156

Statistics

1234Total
Tigers24143041
No. 7 Knights714142156
UCF celebrates their victory over Memphis in the AAC Championship Game. 2018 American Athletic Conference Championship Trophy Presentation (31199404377).jpg
UCF celebrates their victory over Memphis in the AAC Championship Game.
StatisticsMEMUCF
First downs2334
Plays–yards75–58390–698
Rushes–yards45–40162–350
Passing yards182348
Passing: Comp–Att–Int18–30–119–28–0
Time of possession31:1228:48
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MemphisPassing Brady White 17/29, 178 yds, 1 INT
RushingDarrell Henderson16 car, 210 yds, 3 TD
ReceivingPatrick Taylor4 rec, 23 yds
UCFPassingDarriel Mack Jr.19/27, 348 yds, 2 TD
RushingGreg McCrae24 car, 208 yds, 1 TD
ReceivingGabe Davis6 rec, 101 yds

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 UCF Knights football team</span> American college football season

The 2007 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Their head coach was George O'Leary, in his fourth season with the school. The season was highlighted by the completion of their new on-campus stadium. The Knights moved out of the aging Citrus Bowl in downtown Orlando, and began playing their home games at Bright House Networks Stadium, located on the main campus of UCF in east Orlando, Florida. In addition, the team changed its nickname from "Golden Knights" back to simply "Knights." From its inception in 1979 to 1992, the football team had been known as the Knights, then used the name "Golden Knights" from 1993 until 2006.

The 2010 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Their head coach was George O'Leary, who was in his seventh season with the team. For the first time in program history, the Knights were nationally ranked following a nationally televised rout of Houston on November 5. For the third time in six years, UCF won the Conference USA Eastern Division and later, became Conference USA champions for the second time in four seasons. As a result, the Knights appeared in the Liberty Bowl, in which they defeated Georgia 10–6, for the first bowl victory in program history. UCF finished the season ranked in both final national polls, 20th in the Coaches Poll, and 21st in the AP Poll.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005 UCF Golden Knights football team</span> American college football season

The 2005 UCF Golden Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida in the 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season. Their head coach was George O'Leary, in his second season with the team. It was their first year as a member of Conference USA, playing in the East Division.

The 2011 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Knights played in the East Division of Conference USA, and played their home games at Bright House Networks Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The Knights were led by head coach George O'Leary, who was in his eighth season with the team. They finished the season 5–7, 3–5 in C-USA play to finish in a tie for fourth place in the East Division.

The 2013 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida in the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Knights were members of the American Athletic Conference, and played their home games at Bright House Networks Stadium on UCF's main campus in Orlando, Florida. The Knights were led by head coach George O'Leary, who was in his tenth season with the team.

The 2014 Fiesta Bowl was a college football bowl game that was played on Wednesday, January 1, 2014, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. In this, the 43rd annual Fiesta Bowl, the Baylor Bears, champions of the Big 12 Conference, played the UCF Knights, champions of the American Athletic Conference. The game was broadcast live on ESPN at 6:30 p.m. MST. It was one of the 2013–14 bowl games that concluded the 2013 FBS football season. It was sponsored by the Tostitos snack food brand and was officially known as the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Norvell</span> American football coach (born 1981)

Michael Kelly Norvell is an American college football coach. He is the head football coach for Florida State, a position he has held since 2020. He was previously head coach at Memphis, and has coached for Arizona State, Pittsburgh, Tulsa, and Central Arkansas. He played wide receiver at the University of Central Arkansas from 2001 to 2005 and is the school's all-time receptions leader.

The 2014 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Knights were members of the American Athletic Conference, and played their home games at Bright House Networks Stadium on UCF's main campus in Orlando, Florida. The Knights were led by head coach George O'Leary, who was in his eleventh season with the team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Florida–UCF football rivalry</span> College sports rivalry

The South Florida–UCF football rivalry, better known as the War on I-4, is an American college football rivalry between the South Florida Bulls football team of the University of South Florida and UCF Knights football team of the University of Central Florida. As of the 2022 meeting, the Knights hold a 8–6 lead in the series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game</span> College football game

The 2017 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game was held on Saturday, December 2, 2017. This was the third year that the AAC Championship game is played. The game was a rematch of the September 30 matchup, which UCF won 40-13.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 UCF Knights football team</span> American college football season

The 2017 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Knights played their home games at the newly renamed Spectrum Stadium in Orlando, Florida, and competed in the East Division of the American Athletic Conference. They were led by second year head coach Scott Frost.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Peach Bowl (January)</span> College football game

The 2018 Peach Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 2018, between the UCF Knights and the Auburn Tigers. It was the 50th edition of the Peach Bowl, and the first Peach Bowl to be played in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, after spending the previous 25 editions in the now demolished Georgia Dome. The 50th Peach Bowl was one of the College Football Playoff New Year's Six bowl games, and was one of the 2017–18 bowl games concluding the 2017 FBS football season. Sponsored by the Chick-fil-A restaurant franchise, the game was officially known as the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 UCF Knights football team</span> American college football season

The 2018 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida (UCF) during the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They played their home games at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando, Florida, and were led by first-year head coach Josh Heupel. The Knights competed as members of the East Division of the American Athletic Conference. The 2018 season marked the 40th season of football for the Knights program.

The 2019 Fiesta Bowl was a college football bowl game that was played on January 1, 2019. It was the 48th edition of the Fiesta Bowl, and was one of the 2018–19 bowl games concluding the 2018 FBS football season. Sponsored by Sony Interactive Entertainment via its PlayStation brand, the game was officially known as the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl.

The 2019 Cincinnati Bearcats football team represented the University of Cincinnati in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bearcats played their home games at Nippert Stadium, and competed as members of the East Division in the American Athletic Conference. They were led by third-year head coach Luke Fickell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 UCF Knights football team</span> American college football season

The 2019 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida (UCF) during the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Knights were led by second-year head coach Josh Heupel and played their home games at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando, Florida. They competed as members of the East Division of the American Athletic Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 UCF Knights football team</span> American college football season

The 2020 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida (UCF) during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Knights were led by third-year head coach Josh Heupel and played their home games at Bounce House in Orlando, Florida. They competed as members of the American Athletic Conference. The Knights finished the regular season 6–4 and notably did not have any games of their revised schedule postponed or canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 UCF Knights football team</span> American college football season

The 2021 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida (UCF) during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Knights were led by first-year head coach Gus Malzahn and played their home games at Bounce House in Orlando, Florida. They competed as members of the American Athletic Conference.

The 2022 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game is a college football game played on December 3, 2022, at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans. It was the eighth American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game and determined the champion of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) for the 2022 season. The game began at 4:00 p.m. EST and aired on ABC. The game featured the regular season champions, the Tulane Green Wave, and the regular season runners-up, the UCF Knights. Sponsored by RoofClaim.com, a roofing services company, the game was officially known as the 2022 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game presented by RoofClaim.com.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 UCF Knights football team</span> American college football season

The 2022 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida (UCF) during the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Knights were led by second-year head coach Gus Malzahn and played their home games at the newly named FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Florida. They competed as members of the American Athletic Conference.

References

Commons-logo.svg Media related to 2018 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game at Wikimedia Commons

  1. "American Athletic Conference – The American Announces 2018 Football Schedule". theamerican.org. American Athletic Conference. February 13, 2018. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  2. "American Athletic Conference – 2018–19 Championships Schedule". theamerican.org. American Athletic Conference. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  3. "Mack shines, No. 7 UCF beats Memphis 56-41 for AAC title". ESPN.com. December 2, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2018.