It was a night to remember for John Rhys Plumlee as he showcased his skills in both baseball and football for UCF. In just seven minutes, Plumlee went from playing seven innings of UCF’s 12-3 win over Memphis on the baseball diamond to joining the football team on the sideline, thanks to the efficient coordination of the school’s athletics department.
Plumlee wasted no time in making an impact in both sports. On the baseball field, he went 2 for 3 at the plate with a powerful two-run triple to open the scoring. Then, on the football field, he completed 10 of 17 passes for 236 yards, throwing two long touchdowns, including a 70-yard bomb to Kobe Hudson and a 35-yard back shoulder fade to Javon Baker, and also throwing one interception.
“It’s something that I’ll never forget,” Plumlee said, reflecting on the opportunity to play both sports. “Coach Malzahn, I remember being on the phone with him when I was in the transfer portal and telling him, ‘Hey, coach, I want to play football but I also want to play baseball.’ He gave me his word. For him to follow through with that, and to go through the lengths he’s gone through — and (UCF baseball coach Greg) Lovelady, too — to give me the opportunity to do what I love to do is really special.”
Noticeably Faster Tempo: New Offensive Coordinator’s Impact on UCF Football
With new offensive coordinator Darin Hinshaw at the helm, UCF’s football team showcased a noticeable increase in tempo and a promising vertical passing game. Hinshaw’s strategic approach brought a rhythm to the game, with the team moving faster as the night wore on.
“I thought the timing was good,” said Coach Malzahn. “Obviously, the defense got the best of us in the first quarter but in the second (quarter) we got some first downs and some tempo. We’ll continue to work on getting faster.”
The ‘Nauts initially faced some challenges, stalling on their first three drives and turning the ball over on their fourth. However, they quickly found their groove in the second quarter, scoring four touchdowns in just 4 minutes and 20 seconds, gaining an impressive 280 yards in just 15 plays.
Bowman Bounces Back: UCF’s Running Back Shows Promise
Demarkcus Bowman, UCF’s talented running back, had a challenging start to the game with a fumble on his first touch of the evening. However, the true freshman quickly made amends and showcased his exceptional speed, ripping off gains of 20-plus yards.
“You saw it, he’s got real speed. He’s a home run waiting to happen,” praised Coach Malzahn.
Bowman, who was named Mr. Football after his senior year at Lakeland, had previously spent time at Clemson and Florida before joining UCF. He rushed six times for 61 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown, showing his potential to be a valuable asset to the team alongside returning starter RJ Harvey, Johnny Richardson, and Jordan McDonald.
Transfer Portal Opens: UCF’s Roster Outlook
As the NCAA’s transfer portal opens for the final 15 days of April, UCF is anticipating some additions to their roster, including cornerback Decorian Patterson, who committed to the team on Thursday. However, there is also the possibility of significant losses, as experienced last year when top receiver Jaylon Robinson entered the portal and left for Ole Miss, among others.
