2023 UCF Knights football | |
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Gasparilla Bowl, L 17–30 vs. Georgia Tech | |
Conference | Big 12 Conference |
Record | 6–7 (3–6 Big 12) |
Head coach |
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Offensive coordinator | Darin Hinshaw (1st season) |
Offensive scheme | Spread option [1] |
Defensive coordinator | Addison Williams (1st season) |
Co-defensive coordinator | David Gibbs (3rd season) |
Base defense | 4–2–5 [1] |
Home stadium | FBC Mortgage Stadium |
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 3 Texas y$^ | 8 | – | 1 | 12 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 16 Oklahoma State y | 7 | – | 2 | 10 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 15 Oklahoma | 7 | – | 2 | 10 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Iowa State | 6 | – | 3 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 18 Kansas State | 6 | – | 3 | 9 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
West Virginia | 6 | – | 3 | 9 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Texas Tech | 5 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 23 Kansas | 5 | – | 4 | 9 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UCF | 3 | – | 6 | 6 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TCU | 3 | – | 6 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Houston | 2 | – | 7 | 4 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BYU | 2 | – | 7 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Baylor | 2 | – | 7 | 3 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati | 1 | – | 8 | 3 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Championship: Texas 49, Oklahoma State 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 2023 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida (UCF) as a member of the Big 12 Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Knights were led by Gus Malzahn in his third year as the Knights head coach. The team played their home games at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
UCF officially moved into the Big 12 Conference for the 2023 season. In doing so, the Knights became the first NCAA football program to play at every sanctioned level: Division III, Division II, Division I-AA, Division I-A (Independent), Group of Five, and Power Five. [2]
In their first season as part of the Big 12, the Knights jumped out to a 3–0 start, including a last-second victory at Boise State. However, quarterback John Rhys Plumlee suffered an ankle injury in the final minute of the Boise State game, which would sideline him for a month. Redshirt sophomore Timmy McClain took over at quarterback as the Knights entered the conference portion of their schedule. In their first intra-conference home game, the Knights jumped out to a 35–7 lead over Baylor, but blew a 28-point lead, and lost 36–35. The Knights suffered a five-game skid, slipping to 3–5. With Plumlee back to full strength in November, the Knights won three of their last four games to finish the regular season 6–6 overall (3–6 in the Big 12), and became bowl eligible for the eighth consecutive season. Of the four newcomers that joined the Big 12 for 2023 (BYU, Cincinnati, and Houston being the others), UCF finished with the best record, and was the only one bowl-eligible.
Player | Position | Previous school |
---|---|---|
Timmy McClain | QB | South Florida |
Trent Whittemore | WR | Florida |
Chauncey Magwood | WR | Kentucky |
Drake Metcalf | IOL | Stanford |
Gage King | LS | Arizona State |
Fred Davis II | DB | Clemson |
Amari Kight | OT | Alabama |
Marcellus Marshall | OT | Kent State |
DeJordan Mask | S | Texas State |
Jireh Wilson | S | East Carolina |
Bula Schmidt | IOL | Fresno State |
Decorian Patterson | DB | Middle Tennessee State |
Rian Davis | LB | Georgia |
Xavier Williams | QB | Charlotte |
Isaiah Paul | LB | Washington State |
Shaun Peterson | DE | FIU |
Derrick LeBlanc | DL | Oklahoma |
Corey Gammage | WR | Marshall |
Gunnar Smith | QB | South Florida |
Kriston Esnard | PK | Tulane |
Player | Position | Destination |
---|---|---|
Mikey Keene | QB | Fresno State |
Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste | LB | Ole Miss |
Davonte Brown | CB | Miami (FL) |
Philjae Bien Aime | CB | North Alabama |
Ryan O'Keefe | WR | Boston College |
Terrence Lewis | LB | Hutchinson CC |
Trevion Shadrick-Harris | CB | Eastern Washington |
Jordan Johnson | WR | Iowa Western |
Ah'Mare Lee | DB | Florida A&M |
Joey Gatewood | WR | Louisville |
Karlis Bailey-Vice | DE | NA |
Anthony Williams | RB | Stephen F. Austin |
Andrew Osteen | P | Mississippi State |
Matt Lee | C | Miami (FL) |
Miguel Maldonado | OL | NA |
Tommy Castellanos | QB | Boston College |
Ethan Mort | OL | NA |
Keahnist Thompson | DL | Weber State |
Justin Hodges | DB | Arkansas State |
Branden Jennings | LB | Hinds CC |
Quan Lee | WR | Florida A&M |
Jaden Francois | DB | Utah State |
Will Bohn | QB | Southeastern |
The 2023 UCF spring exhibition game was played on Friday April 14 at FBC Mortgage Stadium. The team was split into two squads for gameplay, the Knights and the 'Nauts. [5]
Date | Time | Spring Game | Site | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
April 14 | 6:30 pm | Knights vs. 'Nauts | FBC Mortgage Stadium • Orlando, FL | 43-42 'Nauts |
A total of eight players were named to the preseason All-Big 12 mentions, [6] and eight players were named to the Senior Bowl watchlist. [7]
Award | Player | Position | Year |
---|---|---|---|
William V. Campbell Trophy | Jason Johnson [8] | LB | Sr. |
Polynesian Football Player of the Year Award | Lokahi Pauole [9] | OG | Sr. |
Manning Award | John Rhys Plumlee [10] | QB | ![]() |
Chuck Bednarik Award | Jason Johnson [11] | LB | Sr. |
Butkus Award | Jason Johnson [12] | LB | Sr. |
Doak Walker Award | RJ Harvey [13] | RB | ![]() |
Ray Guy Award | Mitch McCarthy [14] | P | So. |
Davey O'Brien Award | John Rhys Plumlee [15] | QB | ![]() |
Fred Biletnikoff Award | Corey Gammage [16] | WR | ![]() |
Lou Groza Award | Colton Boomer [17] | K | So. |
Bronko Nagurski Trophy | Jason Johnson [18] | LB | Sr. |
Outland Trophy | Lokahi Pauole [19] | OG | Sr. |
Maxwell Award | John Rhys Plumlee [20] | QB | ![]() |
Listed in the order that they were released |
The Big 12 preseason poll was released on July 6. [21] UCF was voted 8th in the conference. First place votes in parentheses.
Big 12 media poll | ||
Predicted finish | Team | Points |
---|---|---|
1 | Texas (41) | 886 |
2 | Kansas State (14) | 858 |
3 | Oklahoma (4) | 758 |
4 | Texas Tech (4) | 729 |
5 | TCU (3) | 727 |
6 | Baylor | 572 |
7 | Oklahoma State (1) | 470 |
8 | UCF | 463 |
9 | Kansas | 461 |
10 | Iowa State | 334 |
11 | BYU | 318 |
12 | Houston | 215 |
13 | Cincinnati | 202 |
14 | West Virginia | 129 |
The 2023 season is UCF's first as a member of the Big 12 Conference. [22] The conference utilizes a nine-game conference schedule, with three out-of-conference games annually. [23] Furthermore, the conference requires at least one of the three out-of-conference games to be against a Power Five opponent. [24] UCF successfully petitioned for a first-year, one-time waiver to count their game at Boise State as their Power Five non-conference opponent, taking into account Boise State's recent successes and status as a top Group of Five team. [24]
Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
August 31 | 7:00 p.m. [25] | Kent State * | FS1 | W 56–6 | 44,088 | |
September 9 | 7:00 p.m. [25] | at Boise State * | FS1 | W 18–16 | 36,447 | |
September 16 | 6:30 p.m. [25] | No. 24 (FCS) Villanova * |
| ESPN+ | W 48–14 | 44,206 |
September 23 | 8:00 p.m. [26] | at Kansas State | FS1 | L 31–44 | 51,912 | |
September 30 | 3:30 p.m. | Baylor |
| FS1 | L 35–36 | 44,005 |
October 7 | 4:00 p.m. | at Kansas | FOX | L 22–51 | 46,107 | |
October 21 | 12:00 p.m. | at No. 6 Oklahoma | ABC | L 29–31 | 83,476 | |
October 28 | 12:00 p.m. | West Virginia ![]() |
| FS1 [lower-alpha 1] | L 28–41 | 44,136 |
November 4 | 3:30 p.m. | at Cincinnati | FS1 | W 28–26 | 38,193 | |
November 11 | 3:30 p.m. | No. 15 Oklahoma State |
| ESPN | W 45−3 | 44,046 |
November 18 | 5:30 p.m. | at Texas Tech | FS2 | L 23−24 | 53,851 | |
November 25 | 12:00 p.m. | Houston |
| FS1 | W 27–13 | 43,610 |
December 22 | 6:30 p.m. | vs. Georgia Tech * | ESPN | L 17–30 | 30,281 | |
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Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Golden Flashes | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
Knights | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 56 |
at FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando, FL
Game information | ||
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Statistics | KENT | UCF |
---|---|---|
First downs | 15 | 32 |
Total yards | 240 | 723 |
Rushing yards | 95 | 389 |
Passing yards | 145 | 334 |
Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
Time of possession | 28:34 | 31:26 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Kent State | Passing | Michael Alaimo | 12–31, 145 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | Gavin Garcia | 18 carries, 45 yards | |
Receiving | Chrishon McCray | 3 receptions, 61 yards | |
UCF | Passing | John Rhys Plumlee | 22–30, 281 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | Johnny Richardson | 12 carries, 100 yards | |
Receiving | Xavier Townsend | 5 receptions, 81 yards, 1 TD |
Quarterback John Rhys Plumlee threw for 281 yards and rushed for 90 yards as the Knights routed Kent State 56–6 on Thursday night. The game marked UCF's first football game as a member of the Big 12. The Knights won their 8th consecutive season opener.
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Knights | 3 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 18 |
Broncos | 7 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 16 |
at Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID
Game information | ||
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Statistics | UCF | BSU |
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First downs | 23 | 22 |
Total yards | 530 | 384 |
Rushing yards | 258 | 173 |
Passing yards | 272 | 211 |
Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
Time of possession | 28:03 | 31:57 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
UCF | Passing | John Rhys Plumlee | 16–24, 272 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT |
Rushing | John Rhys Plumlee | 11 carries, 73 yards | |
Receiving | Kobe Hudson | 5 receptions, 134 yards | |
Boise State | Passing | Taylen Green | 9–19, 144 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | Ashton Jeanty | 24 carries, 115 yards | |
Receiving | Ashton Jeanty | 5 receptions, 97 yards, 1 TD |
Colton Boomer kicked a 40-yard game-winning field goal as time expired to lift the Knights over the Boise State Broncos by the score of 18–16. Boomer went 4-for-4 on field goals, including a school record-tying 55 yarder in the second quarter. Late in the game, quarterback John Rhys Plumlee suffered a leg injury which will require him to miss multiple weeks. [28]
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 24 (FCS) Wildcats | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 |
Knights | 17 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 48 |
Game information | ||
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Statistics | NOVA | UCF |
---|---|---|
First downs | 11 | 31 |
Total yards | 228 | 600 |
Rushing yards | 84 | 251 |
Passing yards | 144 | 349 |
Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
Time of possession | 27:08 | 32:52 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Villanova | Passing | Connor Watkins | 9-23, 144 yards, 1 INT |
Rushing | Deewil Barlee | 7 carries, 39 yards | |
Receiving | Jaylan Sanchez | 1 receptions, 45 yards | |
UCF | Passing | Timmy McClain | 20–28, 321 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT |
Rushing | R. J. Harvey | 14 carries, 85 yards, 2 TD | |
Receiving | Kobe Hudson | 6 receptions, 147 yards |
Timmy McClain started at quarterback for the injured John Rhys Plumlee. McClain threw for 321 yards, and the UCF offense racked up 600 total yards as the Knights soundly defeated FCS #24 Villanova by the score of 48–14.
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Knights | 10 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
Wildcats | 7 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 44 |
at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, KS
Game information | ||
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Statistics | UCF | KSU |
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First downs | 19 | 32 |
Total yards | 407 | 536 |
Rushing yards | 143 | 255 |
Passing yards | 264 | 255 |
Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
Time of possession | 25:37 | 34:23 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
UCF | Passing | Timmy McClain | 14-24, 264 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | Johnny Richardson | 6 carries, 76 yards | |
Receiving | Kobe Hudson | 6 receptions, 138 yards, 2 TD | |
Kansas State | Passing | Will Howard | 27-42, 255 yards, 1 INT |
Rushing | D. J. Giddens | 30 carries, 207 yards, 4 TD | |
Receiving | D. J. Giddens | 8 receptions, 96 yards |
UCF traveled to Kansas State for their first-ever intra-conference game in the Big 12. Timmy McClain once again started at quarterback, throwing for 264 yards and three touchdowns. The Knights defense, however, could not contain the Wildcats offense, and lost by the score of 44–31. D.J. Giddens rushed for 207 yards and 4 touchdowns, and caught 8 balls for another 86 yards. The game was tied 24–24 midway through the third quarter, but Kansas State put the game away with 20 unanswered points. Ten penalties for 80 yards on UCF, two turnovers in Wildcats territory, plus a lopsided time of possession were factors in the loss.
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bears | 7 | 0 | 3 | 26 | 36 |
Knights | 21 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 35 |
at FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando, FL
Game information | ||
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Statistics | BU | UCF |
---|---|---|
First downs | 22 | 18 |
Total yards | 446 | 469 |
Rushing yards | 153 | 235 |
Passing yards | 293 | 234 |
Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
Time of possession | 35:31 | 24:29 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Baylor | Passing | Blake Shapen | 21-34, 293 yards, 1 INT |
Rushing | Richard Reese | 16 carries, 100 yards | |
Receiving | Monaray Baldwin | 7 receptions, 150 yards, 1 TD | |
UCF | Passing | Timmy McClain | 13-25, 234 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | Johnny Richardson | 6 carries, 105 yards, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Javon Baker | 3 receptions, 113 yards, 1 TD |
UCF hosted Baylor for their first intra-conference home game in the Big 12. The game was a rematch of the 2014 Fiesta Bowl. The Knights blew a 35–7 lead. Baylor scored a go-ahead field goal with 1:21 remaining and won 36–35. On the first play from scrimmage, Johnny Richardson broke free for a 79-yard touchdown run, and after two more quick scores, UCF jumped out to an early 21–0 lead. The Knights eventually built a 35–7 lead, which they held late in the third quarter. Baylor scored 29 unanswered points, including two touchdown passes from Blake Shapen, and a 72-yard fumble return for a touchdown. UCF got the ball back one last time with 1:21 remaining. Colton Boomer's 59-yard field goal attempt fell no good as time expired, and Baylor escaped with the victory.
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Knights | 0 | 0 | 8 | 14 | 22 |
Jayhawks | 3 | 21 | 13 | 14 | 51 |
at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KS
Game information | ||
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Statistics | UCF | KU |
---|---|---|
First downs | 21 | 25 |
Total yards | 371 | 490 |
Rushing yards | 202 | 399 |
Passing yards | 169 | 91 |
Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
Time of possession | 25:35 | 34:25 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
UCF | Passing | Timmy McClain | 12-15, 136 yards, 2 TD |
Rushing | R. J. Harvey | 16 carries, 133 yards, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Javon Baker | 4 receptions, 85 yards | |
Kansas | Passing | Jason Bean | 8-12, 91 yards, 1 TD |
Rushing | Devin Neal | 12 carries, 154 yards, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Luke Grimm | 2 receptions, 41 yards |
John Rhys Plumlee returned to start at quarterback, but played for only three drives in the first half. Timmy McClain took over and played the rest of the game. Kansas dominated UCF, jumping out to a 31–0 lead, and pulling away for a 51–22 victory. The Jayhawks put up 399 yards rushing, while UCF was held to a season-low 371 total yards.
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Knights | 0 | 17 | 6 | 6 | 29 |
No. 6 Sooners | 7 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 31 |
at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK
Game information | ||
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Statistics | UCF | OKLA |
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First downs | 20 | 30 |
Total yards | 397 | 442 |
Rushing yards | 149 | 189 |
Passing yards | 248 | 253 |
Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
Time of possession | 30:16 | 29:44 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
UCF | Passing | John Rhys Plumlee | 16–30, 248 yards, 2 TD |
Rushing | R. J. Harvey | 23 carries, 101 yards | |
Receiving | Javon Baker | 5 receptions, 134 yards, 2 TD | |
Oklahoma | Passing | Dillon Gabriel | 25–38, 253 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | Marcus Major | 18 carries, 82 yards | |
Receiving | Nic Anderson | 5 receptions, 105 yards, 2 TD |
UCF traveled to Norman to take on Oklahoma. Facing former quarterback Dillon Gabriel, the Knights nearly upset the No. 6 ranked Sooners. UCF led 23–17 after three quarters, before Oklahoma scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to take a 31–23 lead. John Rhys Plumlee, back in the starting lineup, drove the Knights 75 yards in 9 plays. On 4th & 10 at the Oklahoma 12, Plumee found Javon Baker for a 12-yard touchdown pass, trimming the deficit to 31–29 with 1:16 left in regulation. UCF's two-point conversion attempt was snuffed out, and the Sooners held on for the victory.
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mountaineers | 10 | 7 | 7 | 17 | 41 |
Knights | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
at FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando, FL
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
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Statistics | WVU | UCF |
---|---|---|
First downs | 25 | 27 |
Total yards | 450 | 463 |
Rushing yards | 286 | 189 |
Passing yards | 164 | 274 |
Turnovers | 1 | 4 |
Time of possession | 36:06 | 23:54 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
West Virginia | Passing | Garrett Greene | 14-23, 156 yards |
Rushing | C.J. Donaldson | 17 carries, 121 yards, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Devin Carter | 3 receptions, 47 yards | |
UCF | Passing | John Rhys Plumlee | 25–36, 274 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT |
Rushing | RJ Harvey | 14 carries, 100 yards | |
Receiving | Kobe Hudson | 3 receptions, 66 yards, 2 TD |
UCF hosted West Virginia on Homecoming. Quarterback John Rhys Plumlee threw three interceptions and lost a fumble, as the Mountaineers won 41–28. West Virginia put up 286 yards rushing, and quarterback Garrett Greene ran for three touchdowns.
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Knights | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
Bearcats | 3 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 26 |
at Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
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Statistics | UCF | CIN |
---|---|---|
First downs | 23 | 23 |
Total yards | 393 | 515 |
Rushing yards | 228 | 248 |
Passing yards | 165 | 267 |
Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
Time of possession | 27:03 | 32:57 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
UCF | Passing | John Rhys Plumlee | 13–23, 165 yards |
Rushing | R. J. Harvey | 20 carries, 164 yards, 3 TD | |
Receiving | Javon Baker | 4 receptions, 93 yards | |
Cincinnati | Passing | Emory Jones | 16–22, 217 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | Corey Kiner | 19 carries, 114 yards, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Braden Smith | 6 receptions, 114 yards, 1 TD |
UCF traveled to rival Cincinnati, and won their first conference game in Big 12 conference play. Running back R. J. Harvey had a career-best 164 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Harvey scored a 1-yard touchdown run to put the Knights up 28–20 with 2:41 left in regulation. Emory Jones then drove the Bearcats 75 yards in five plays for a touchdown, making the score 28–26 with 1:27 left. Jones' two-point conversion pass was tipped and fell incomplete, and the Knights held on to win 28–26.
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 15 Cowboys | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Knights | 14 | 10 | 14 | 7 | 45 |
at FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando, FL
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
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Statistics | OSU | UCF |
---|---|---|
First downs | 15 | 21 |
Total yards | 277 | 592 |
Rushing yards | 52 | 293 |
Passing yards | 225 | 299 |
Turnovers | 4 | 1 |
Time of possession | 25:15 | 34:45 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Oklahoma State | Passing | Alan Bowman | 19–36, 225 yards, 3 INT |
Rushing | Ollie Gordon II | 12 carries, 25 yards | |
Receiving | Rashod Owens | 6 receptions, 85 yards | |
UCF | Passing | John Rhys Plumlee | 11–18, 299 yards, 3 TD |
Rushing | R. J. Harvey | 24 carries, 206 yards, 3 TD | |
Receiving | Javon Baker | 4 receptions, 112 yards |
UCF hosted then-No. 15 Oklahoma State in their seventh annual "Space Game". The Knights dominated the game from start to finish, and routed the Cowboys 45–3. John Rhys Plumlee threw for 299 yards and three touchdown passes, while R.J. Harvey rushed for a career-best 206 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. The UCF defense held Cowboys running back Ollie Gordon II (the nation's leading rusher) to only 25 yards, and forced four turnovers. The Knights won their first Big 12 intra-conference home game, and first Big 12 intra-conference game against an existing/original team from the conference. After the game, fans stormed the field to celebrate.
UCF jumped out to a quick 14–0 lead in the first quarter. R.J. Harvey got the Knights on the board with a 1-yard touchdown run on their first drive. Ollie Gordon then fumbled in Knights territory, which led to a 7-yard touchdown pass from John Rhys Plumlee to Kobe Hudson. Braeden Marshall picked off Alan Bowman's deflected pass, which led to a Knights field goal early in the second quarter. A huge downpour then pelted the stadium, but it did not slow down the Knights offense. Plumlee found Kobe Hudson for a 75-yard touchdown, and the Knights led 24–0 at halftime.
Oklahoma State got the ball to start the third quarter. The Cowboys drove to the Knights 7 yard line, but had to settle for a field goal. On the ensuing drive, Plumlee was sacked and fumbled, giving the Cowboys the ball at the UCF 24. Two plays later, however, Demari Henderson tipped and intercepted a pass by Bowman at the 8 yard line. It was Bowman's third interception of the game, and Henderson's second such of the game defensively. On the very next play from scrimmage, R.J. Harvey took a handoff and blasted through for a 92-yard touchdown run to put the Knights up 31–3. UCF would tack on two more scores, and defeated Oklahoma State by the final score of 45–3.
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Knights | 14 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 23 |
Red Raiders | 0 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 24 |
Game information | ||
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|
Statistics | UCF | TTU |
---|---|---|
First downs | 23 | 25 |
Total yards | 486 | 446 |
Rushing yards | 238 | 190 |
Passing yards | 248 | 256 |
Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
Time of possession | 31:57 | 28:03 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
UCF | Passing | John Rhys Plumlee | 16–32, 248 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | John Rhys Plumlee | 13 carries, 84 yards | |
Receiving | Javon Baker | 4 receptions, 117 yards, 1 TD | |
Texas Tech | Passing | Behren Morton | 21–35, 256 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | Tahj Brooks | 24 carries, 182 yards, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Xavier White | 3 receptions, 77 yards |
UCF traveled to take on Texas Tech. The Knights jumped out to a 14–0 lead in the first quarter, with two touchdown runs by R. J. Harvey. With 5:30 left in the fourth quarter, UCF was trailing 24–17. John Rhys Plumlee found Javon Baker wide open for a 71-yard touchdown pass. But Colton Boomer's game-tying extra point attempt was blocked and sailed wide left. The Red Raiders were able to run out the clock and held on for a 24–23 victory.
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cougars | 10 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
Knights | 6 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 27 |
at FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando, FL
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Statistics | HOU | UCF |
---|---|---|
First downs | 17 | 23 |
Total yards | 259 | 476 |
Rushing yards | 94 | 223 |
Passing yards | 165 | 253 |
Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
Time of possession | 27:04 | 32:56 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Houston | Passing | Donovan Smith | 12–20, 161 yards, 1 TD, I INT |
Rushing | Stacy Sneed | 3 carries, 33 yards | |
Receiving | Joseph Manjack IV | 4 receptions, 74 yards | |
UCF | Passing | John Rhys Plumlee | 23–27, 253 yards, 1 TD |
Rushing | R. J. Harvey | 21 carries, 136 yards, 2 TD | |
Receiving | Kobe Hudson | 9 receptions, 98 yards |
UCF hosted Houston in their regular season finale. Quarterback John Rhys Plumlee threw for 253 yards and running back R. J. Harvey rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns, as the Knights defeated the Cougars 27–13. With the win, UCF finished the regular season 6–6 overall (3–6 in the Big 12), and became bowl eligible for the eighth consecutive season. The UCF offense put up 476 total yards, but the kicking game struggled for the second week in a row. Colton Boomer missed two field goals and an extra point.
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Georgia Tech | 0 | 17 | 3 | 10 | 30 |
UCF | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Statistics | GT | UCF |
---|---|---|
First downs | 21 | 19 |
Plays–yards | 69–371 | 69–424 |
Rushes–yards | 53–284 | 34–169 |
Passing yards | 87 | 255 |
Passing: comp–att–int | 7–13–1 | 17–33–1 |
Time of possession | 33:30 | 26:30 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Georgia Tech | Passing | Haynes King | 7/13, 87 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | Jamal Haynes | 18 carries, 128 yards | |
Receiving | Malik Rutherford | 2 receptions, 40 yards, 1 TD | |
UCF | Passing | John Rhys Plumlee | 16/29, 198 yards, 2 TD |
Rushing | R. J. Harvey | 15 carries, 120 yards | |
Receiving | Javon Baker | 9 receptions, 173 yards, 1 TD |
UCF faced Georgia Tech in the 2023 Gasparilla Bowl. It was the sixth meeting between the two teams. UCF had won the most recent meeting 27–10 in 2022. This was UCF's sixth appearance in the Gasparilla Bowl (formerly known as the St. Petersburg Bowl). George O'Leary, formerly the head coach of both teams, took part in the pre-game coin toss.
The Knights jumped out to a 14–0 lead in the first quarter. John Rhys Plumlee threw touchdown passes to Javon Baker and Kobe Hudson. UCF was looking to go up 21–0 when their drive was snuffed out as R.J. Harvey fumbled away the ball at the Georgia Tech 42. The turnover led to a Yellow Jackets field goal, and was a turning point in the game. The Knights defense held Georgia Tech to only 87 yards passing, but the Yellow Jackets put up 284 yards on the ground. Trailing 17–3, Georgia Tech scored 27 unanswered points, and won by the score of 30–17.
2023 UCF Knights Football | ||||||||||
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends/H-back | Offensive Lineman
Kickers/Punters
Long snappers | Defensive tackles
Linebacker
Defensive back
| Defensive ends
Legend Coaching staff
→ Roster updated September, 2023 |
Player | Athletic | Athlon | BR | CBS Sports | CFN | ESPN | FOX Sports | Phil Steele | SI | USA Today |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Javon Baker | HM | |||||||||
RJ Harvey | HM | |||||||||
Tremon Morris Brash | HM | |||||||||
HM = Honorable mention. |
Player | Big 12 | AP | Athlon | CFN | PFF | Phil Steele | USA Today |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Javon Baker | 1st [33] [34] | 2nd [35] | 1st [36] | 1st [37] | S [38] | 1st | |
Colton Boomer | HM | ||||||
Tylan Grable | HM | HM | |||||
Demari Henderson | HM | ||||||
RJ Harvey | HM | 2nd | 1st | 2nd | |||
Kobe Hudson | HM | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd | |||
Lee Hunter | HM | 3rd | 2nd | ||||
Jason Johnson | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd | 1st | ||
Malachi Lawrence | HM | ||||||
Nikai Martinez | HM | ||||||
Marcellus Marshall | 2nd | ||||||
Tremon Morris Brash | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | ||
Lokahi Pauole | HM | 2nd | S [39] | ||||
John Rhys Plumlee | HM | ||||||
Corey Thornton | HM | HM | |||||
Xavier Townsend | HM | HM | 3rd | ||||
Walter Yates III | HM | ||||||
HM = Honorable mention. S = Selected, indicating they were selected for a singular "best of" All-Big 12 team. |
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 2016 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Knights were members of the East Division of the American Athletic Conference and played their home games at Bright House Networks Stadium on UCF's main campus in Orlando, Florida. They were led by first-year head coach Scott Frost. They finished the regular season 6–6, 4–4 in American Athletic Conference play, finishing in third place in the East Division. They were invited to the Cure Bowl, where they lost to Arkansas State.
The 2017 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season, the 123rd season of Sooner football. The team was led by Lincoln Riley, who was in his first year as head coach, after the retirement of Bob Stoops in June 2017. They played their home games at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. They are a charter member of the Big 12 Conference.
The 2019 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team represented Texas Tech University in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was led by Matt Wells in his first season as the program's 16th head coach. The Red Raiders played their home games on the university's campus in Lubbock, Texas at Jones AT&T Stadium, and competed as members of the Big 12 Conference. They finished the season 4–8, 2–7 in Big 12 play to finish in ninth place.
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.
John Rhys Plumlee is an American professional football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels and the UCF Knights as well as playing center fielder for both of their college baseball teams.
The 2021 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Broncos were led by first–year head coach Andy Avalos and played their home games at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. They completed as members of the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference.
The 2022 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team represented Texas Tech University during the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Red Raiders played their home games at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas, and competed in the Big 12 Conference. They were led by first-year head coach Joey McGuire.
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.
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.
The 2022 SMU Mustangs football team represented Southern Methodist University in the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Mustangs played their home games at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in University Park, Texas, a separate city within the city limits of Dallas, and competed in the American Athletic Conference. They were led by first-year head coach Rhett Lashlee.
The 2023 West Virginia Mountaineers football team represented West Virginia University as a member of the Big 12 Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Mountaineers were led by fifth-year head coach Neal Brown and played their home games at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, West Virginia.
The 2023 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season, the 129th season for the Oklahoma Sooners. They were led by second-year head coach Brent Venables. They played their home games at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. They were a charter member of the Big 12 Conference.
The 2023 Kansas State Wildcats football team represented Kansas State University in the Big 12 Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wildcats were led by Chris Klieman in his fifth year as their head coach.
The 2023 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team represented Oklahoma State University as a member of the Big 12 Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by Mike Gundy in his 19th year as their head coach.
The 2023 Baylor Bears football team represented Baylor University in the Big 12 Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bears were led by Dave Aranda in his fourth season as their head coach.
The 2023 Kansas Jayhawks football team represented the University of Kansas as a member of the Big 12 Conference during 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the 134th season of play in program history. Led by third-year head coach Lance Leipold, Kansas finished the season 9–4 overall and 5–4 in conference play, placing seventh in the Big 12. The Jayhawks defeated UNLV in the 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl for the program's first bowl game victory in 15 years. The team played home games at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas.
The 2023 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team represented Texas Tech University in the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Red Raiders played their home games at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas, and competed in the Big 12 Conference. They were led by second-year head coach Joey McGuire.
The 2023 Houston Cougars football team represented the University of Houston in the Big 12 Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cougars were led by Dana Holgorsen in his fifth season as their head coach. The Cougars played their home games at TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas.
The 2023 Kent State Golden Flashes football team represented Kent State University as a member of the Mid-American Conference in the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Golden Flashes were led by former Minnesota assistant head coach Kenni Burns in his first year as Kent State's head coach. They played their home games at Dix Stadium in Kent, Ohio. They finished the season 1–11 and 0–8 in conference play to finish with the worst record in college football.