“In their first-ever Big 12 homecoming game, the UCF Knights squared off against the West Virginia Mountaineers in a formidable matchup. This pivotal encounter put their skills to the test, but it was marred by turnovers and on-field challenges, overshadowing what should have been a momentous occasion in their journey as Big 12 contenders. As the Knights review their performance, they confront the harsh realities of the hurdles faced during their inaugural Big 12 homecoming game, leaving them with critical areas for improvement as they progress through the season.”
Garrett Greene orchestrated a remarkable performance, scoring three touchdowns on the ground, while West Virginia’s defense exhibited its might with four crucial turnovers, including two interceptions by cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. This collective effort successfully thwarted the high-octane UCF offense, resulting in a 41-28 victory for the Mountaineers on a Saturday filled with gridiron action.
UCF’s signal-caller, John Rhys Plumlee, struggled under pressure, throwing three interceptions during the game, bringing his season tally to seven interceptions in just five games. His woes deepened when he fumbled the ball after a sack by Lee Kpogba late in the third quarter, with the Knights trailing by a mere three points.
This mishap paved the way for Greene’s third rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter, reinstating a comfortable 10-point cushion for the Mountaineers, who stand at 5-3 with a 3-2 record in the Big 12 Conference. Adding to the scoreboard, CJ Donaldson Jr. punched in another touchdown in the final quarter.
For West Virginia, a team that had seen its offensive line shuffled due to injuries, Greene’s stellar performance injected a much-needed dose of confidence.
“I love Garrett. I love him as my quarterback,” remarked offensive lineman Wyatt Milum. “He’s tough. Just having him as a quarterback as a leader, he really just gets us going. You never see him down. He’s always pushing and encouraging us.”
On the other side, UCF (3-5, 0-5) had opportunities but couldn’t overcome their four turnovers. The Knights’ first giveaway occurred when they were trailing 10-7 and driving toward the West Virginia 30. The second turnover followed their recovery of a West Virginia fumble while facing a three-point deficit. The final two turnovers essentially sealed their fate.
West Virginia capitalized on these mistakes, scoring 21 points off UCF’s turnovers. Notably, Beanie Bishop became the first West Virginia player to record two interceptions in a single game since Kenny Robinson’s feat against Texas Tech in September 2018.
Heading into the game, the Mountaineers had only managed to secure seven turnovers all season. This marked their first time forcing four turnovers in a game since November 2018 when they clashed with Oklahoma State.
“We knew we were going to need some takeaways,” emphasized West Virginia coach Neal Brown. “They are good on offense. I felt like the key was getting first downs on offense. This was a game we had to control the clock and get first downs. Those first downs eventually led to touchdowns.”
West Virginia controlled the clock impressively, notching 25 first downs and dominating time of possession with 36 minutes and 6 seconds. The fourth quarter saw them retain possession for 10 minutes and 4 seconds, firmly closing out the game.
UCF, in its inaugural season in the Big 12, continued to struggle in conference play, remaining winless. The Knights also suffered their first five-game losing streak since their winless season in 2015.
While the game remained closely contested for the first three quarters, UCF struggled to contain the Mountaineers in the final quarter. West Virginia outgained UCF 119-82 in the fourth quarter, largely due to their effective rushing game, which produced 99 yards in the final period.
“Defensively, we couldn’t stop the run, and that was very disappointing,” lamented UCF coach Gus Malzahn. “They’re really good at running the football, and we knew that. Their quarterback played well; we couldn’t get him off the field.”
On the ground, West Virginia showcased its prowess with a robust rushing attack, accumulating 253 yards. Greene, displaying his versatility, contributed 55 yards and three rushing touchdowns on 11 carries alongside 156 passing yards. He received ample support from West Virginia’s stable of running backs, with Donaldson amassing 121 yards on 17 carries, and Jahiem White adding 85 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, sealing the Mountaineers’ victory.
UCF’s struggles in defense against the run were evident, as they entered the game ranked 11th in the conference, conceding an average of 196.0 rush yards per game.
Turnovers continued to plague the Knights, with Plumlee throwing three interceptions. Furthermore, 10 of UCF’s 14 turnovers this season have occurred on the opponent’s side of the field, often squandering opportunities to score.
Despite the turnovers, Plumlee managed to accumulate 274 passing yards, connecting on 25 of 36 attempts, and added three touchdowns to his tally. He also contributed 45 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Beanie Bishop emerged as a standout performer, registering his third and fourth interceptions of the season. Known for his prowess in defending passes, he had entered the game leading the NCAA with 11 pass breakups. Notably, he added another pass breakup to his impressive defensive resume in the game against UCF, further solidifying his reputation as a ball-hawking cornerback. Coach Neal Brown playfully suggested that Bishop’s effectiveness might be causing him to become a target, but his ability to turn those breakups into interceptions highlighted his growth as a defensive playmaker.
Next Up
UCF has now lost two consecutive home games, something that hasn’t happened since 2016. Their next foe will come in the form of Oklahoma St, in an away game. Let’s hope the Knights can build up some much-needed momentum with a win next week.