A Day in Space with the Citronauts!
The University of Central Florida’s sixth annual “Space Game” was ready for takeoff.
It’s actually the start of the game.
In a game themed by space, the 6th Annual “Space Game” at UCF had an astronomical ending with the Knights beating the Temple Owls 13-70. The Thursday night game was televised by ESPN and boy did the Knights put on a show. This was the Knight’s fourth and final midweek game of the season.
The evening was filled with nostalgia, for the former glory of the school in the form of the mascot “Citronaut” and space references could be found throughout the entire evening. Everyone from the sideline staff to the fans in the stands sported “Space U” shirts and apparel instead of the traditional UCF gear.
A Bit of Historical History
In 1978, the Florida Technological University changed its name to Central Florida and became the Knights. Space exploration has remained a highly coveted craft at UCF with nearly 1/3 of the employees at Kennedy Space Center being UCF alumni.
Dominating UCF Offense Performance
Prior to the match, points could have been hard to come by. UCF ranked number 12 nationally in scoring defense, limiting opponents to 14.6 points per game, while Temple ranks number 13, limiting opponents to 16.8 points per game.
UCF has also led the nation in red zone defense, allowing just four touchdowns in 19 possessions inside their own 20-yard line.
In their last match, the Knights pulled away from SMU in the second half, posting 31 unanswered points in a 41-19 conference victory. John Rhys Plumlee tallied 300 passing yards for the third time in five starts, and Isaiah Bowser added three rushing touchdowns.
In addition to winning each of the last five matchups against UCF, Temple has been beaten 5-0 in Space Game competitions, scoring at least 40 points four times.
Plumlee had an outstanding performance, accounting for 373 yards and four touchdowns through the air as well as an additional 37 yards on the ground with three more touchdowns. All of UCF’s short-yardage touchdowns and a 25-yard pass to Kobe Hudson was included in the first half as the Knights built a 35-13 lead.
In the early part of the third quarter, Plumlee hooked up with Ryan O’Keefe for a 68-yard touchdown pass on back-to-back drives. Plumlee later threw an 64-yard touchdown pass to Hudson that increased the Knights’ lead to 56-13 midway through the third. Hudson finished with four catches for 121 yards receiving and O’Keefe had seven for 111.
Temple (2-4, 0-2) was limited to 293 yards of offense in UCF’s (6-0, 3-0) 737-yard performance. It was the Owls’ seventh straight loss to the Knights and the third time this season they were held to less than 400 yards. The Knights gained 798 yards of offense against Memphis on October 17, 2020, their most this season.
It was truly an experience to be at an annual “Space Game”. 7-0 is the record of the Knights’ spaced-themed games.
As UCF hits the road, the challenges for the season begin. With a solid win under the belt, turnovers limited, and penalties practically nonexistent, the Knights use this momentum and charge on against East Carolina.
