The UCF Knights are off to a smashing start this season after they hammered out a dominant 57-3 win over New Hampshire Wildcats on Thursday at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
The Knights have just proven to be one of the Big 12’s teams to watch this season. They displayed their full array of offensive and defensive weapons, which propelled them to a 54-point victory on opening night.
1-0 pic.twitter.com/E7fmG4FelP
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) August 30, 2024
UCF’s blowout victory also highlighted a handful of players who put up outstanding statistics in their first game and are anticipated to play an important role in the team’s future success.
KJ Jefferson – 4.5 Stars
Jefferson, who achieved legendary status in Arkansas after playing five seasons with the Razorbacks, has lived up to expectations. He completed seven of 14 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns, drawing cheers and praises from more than 44,000 fans at the stadium.
KJ Jefferson’s UCF debut:
164 passing yards
2 passing TDs
39 rushing yards
1 rushing TD
How we feelin Knight Nation? pic.twitter.com/WzvM8ilNWo
— JFS_Sports (@JFS_Sports) August 30, 2024
Great things are expected from Jefferson in his final college football season. After posting a competitive 3-6 record (6-7 overall) in its debut season in the Big 12 last year, UCF Knights have set the bar higher for this season as the program aims to compete with the conference big guns such as Utah, Kansas State, Kansas, Oklahoma State, and Baylor for the Big 12 championship and perhaps a place in the College Football Playoffs.
RJ Harvey – 4 Stars
Running back RJ Harvey also shined under the spotlight on Thursday, running for 142 yards on 11 carries with two touchdowns. The Knight’s No.1 running back electrified the crowd with his shifty moves and long runs, including a 60-yard rush that set him up for a one-yard TD run in the next play, giving the Knights a commanding 22-0 lead. Harvey is expected to be the head of what’s going to be a fearsome running back lineup that also consists of Penny Boone and Myles Montgomery.
What a half for RJ Harvey. ????
1 of the best in the Nation.
???????????? ???????? ???????? ????????????????#Big12FB | ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/2pf2cPtmsL
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) August 30, 2024
Kobe Hudson – 4 Stars
With the departure of Javon Baker, who now plays for the New England Patriots, Kobe Hudson is now the No.1 downfield target for Jefferson. Hudson played like one in the game against New Hampshire, recording two receptions for 61 yards.
UCF’s Kobe Hudson just dunked on a New Hampshire defender ????????@UCF_Football | @kfizzzy pic.twitter.com/DLFAV0vKnt
— College Football Network (@CFN365) August 30, 2024
DeShawn Pace – 4 Stars.
A new face in the UCF’s defensive line is linebacker DeShawn Pace. Pace, who joined UCF this summer via the transfer portal, led the Knights with five tackles (3 solo) and one interception that resulted in a 37-yard return. Pace played four seasons with the Cincinnati Bearcats, recording 247 total tackles (121 solo), three sacks and six interceptions.
Deshawn. Pace.
PLAYMAKER pic.twitter.com/zJIFKjxRef
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) August 30, 2024
Penny Boone – 3 Stars
Penny Boone formally introduced himself to UCF fans after he broke free for a 59-yard rushing touchdown to increase the Knights’ lead to 43-3 in the third quarter. Boone, a transferee out of Toledo, finished with 81 rushing yards on 7 carries and one touchdown. Penny Boone hasn’t shown his full potential yet in this game. It’s time for this running back to have his breakout game.
Peny Boone goes 59 yards for 6!
What an embarrassment of riches for UCF at RB pic.twitter.com/okVFIWftjk
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) August 30, 2024
UCF will next play Sam Houston at home on September 7 before taking on their first real test against TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium on September 14.
