The UCF Knights' ground game was in full throttle during their season opener against New Hampshire, where they bulldozed their way to a 57-3 victory on Thursday night. The Orlando-based team amassed 454 rushing yards led by senior captain RJ Harvey's impressive 142-yard performance, contributing to what became the second-highest single-game rushing total for the program, as reported by ClickOrlando.
Running back Peny Boone made a splash too, bursting through for a 59-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Even with having to round up significant help from transfers to enhance their defensive depth, it's hard to ignore the Knights' offense. The mentioned contributions came right after Cincinnati and Ole Miss transfers Deshawn Pace and Ladarius Tennison immediately made their presence felt, intercepting a pass and blocking a punt consecutively, setting up scores that solidified UCF's lead.
Quarterback KJ Jefferson’s debut was mixed, eventually rallying to finish with two touchdowns and 164 yards on 7-for-14 passing, a rocky start that was seemingly anti-climactic considering the preseason hype he enjoyed, according to the ClickOrlando article. Beyond the impressive offensive showcase, the Knights' defense was equally formidable against an overmatched New Hampshire, limiting the Wildcats to just one field goal and a dismal 162 total yards.
In their own backyard, Gus Malzahn's outfit proved to be disciplined as well, committing only three penalties in the entire game, a stat that bodes well for UCF's potential this season. As UCF Knights reported, Malzahn expressed his pride in the team's ability to not beat ourselves, highlighting not just the skill but the strategic focus of his team. Harvey continued his march as a formidable offensive weapon, his performance undeniably a central piece to this commanding win.
Defensive contributions were equally notable, with the Knights' second interception by East Carolina transfer Antione Jackson crucially turning the tide in UCF's favor. On the heels of Jackson's pivotal play, Myles Montgomery added to the scoring fray, notching a 49-yard catch and a 25-yard touchdown rush. "Defensively, we played a big-time game," Malzahn stated, as per UCF Knights, pointing to the pivotal plays that essentially locked the game down for the home team. Next up for the Knights is Sam Houston, a game that will provide another opportunity to build on their early season momentum.
