On Saturday’s contest, UCF had difficulty establishing a firm foothold against the Duke Blue Devils. Duke was able to come away with a 30-13 win as a result.
Duke had 350 yards of total offense, but the Knights mustered only 326 yards. The total offensive numbers were misleading if looked at in isolation.
The importance of Duke going 7-14 on third downs was huge. UCF was solid by going 5-14, but not enough good production once in Duke territory spelled doom for UCF.
In addition, the Blue Devils won the time of possession battle, and the game flow more importantly, with a 34:28 to 25:32 advantage.
The Knights had a player they couldn’t contain going against them.
Duke’s quarterback, Riley Leonard, was the star of the show. Despite the fact that he didn’t compile gaudy stats, Leonard’s grit and will were what mattered. If the Blue Devils needed him to scramble, he scrambled. If they required a crucial first down pass against tight coverage, he delivered.
As a sophomore, Leonard was everything that the team needed and more. He completed 19-28 for 173 yards and no interceptions or touchdowns. He also rushed for 63 yards and two scores.
UCF simply could not get the offensive side of the football going in the final minutes of the game. Leonard capped off the scoring with a 3-yard rushing touchdown with 2:29 remaining.
During the first half, quarterback John Rhys Plumlee and the Knights scored just seven points, and during the second half they scored just six more. Duke’s cover-2 plays were strengthened by several all-out-blitz pre-snap looks that often resulted in all sorts of calls, as the Duke defenders bailed at the snap of the football quite often.
Keeping Plumlee upright was a problem for UCF’s offensive front, as well as a signal caller who often exited the pocket prematurely. Both issues plagued the team from the first quarter onward.
Elko gave a lot of credit to Duke’s defense and its staff, including head coach Mike Elko.
Plumlee completed the 2022 season with 14 carries for 21 yards rushing, no touchdowns, and one fumble lost. On the other hand, he was held to 21-34 for 182 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception in the last game. Those rushing totals were misleading because Duke’s defense sacked him six times. Sacks are counted against a player’s rushing stats in college football.
Despite UCF’s offense being the larger issue, there were some obvious moments where the Knights missed run fits and also missed tackles, those hurt.
UCF’s defensive squad was depleted due to Divaad Wilson turning pro and opting out of the match. Tre’mon Morris-Brash had a shoulder injury, Davonte Brown had moved to Miami, and Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste was amongst several missing Knights on defense.
Having those players being out allowed some younger defensive players to play like the twins, Demari Henderson and Ja’Cari Henderson, at safety and cornerback, respectively. Freshman wide receiver Xavier Townsend caught seven passes for 25 yards on offense, as another transfer—Ryan O’Keefe—decided to play at Boston College.
It may have not been the game we all wanted to see as the end of the season for the Knights but I stand excited to watch UCF take on some competition in the Big 12 this upcoming 2023 season. Until next time UCF Football, good job on a winning season.
