UCF’s Defense Gives Knights Road Win Over Houston Cougars

Oct 2, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Central Florida Knights running back William Stanback (28) rushes during the second quarter as Houston Cougars linebacker Efrem Oliphant (50) attempts to make a tackle at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Alexander had already registered a takeaway to help put points on the board for the UCF Knights during the third quarter.

His second takeaway sealed a UCF win.

As Houston quarterback Greg Ward Jr. ran for the end zone on 1st and goal Alexander hit him as he dove forward knocking the football free for a touchback to secure a 17-12 road win the Knights.

With the win, UCF (2-2) have now won 10 straight conference games.

Houston (2-3) had closed the gap in the fourth quarter to five points as Kyle Bullard hit 51 and 49-yard field goals.

It was Bullard who opened the scoring in the first quarter on a 39-yard field goal, a lead Houston held until UCF nudged ahead on a Justin Holman 6-yard touchdown pass to Jackie Williams with 9:27 left in the second quarter that had been set up by a Clayton Geathers interception.

Bullard would kick another field goal with 1:58 left in the half to close the gap to one.

However, a 10-point burst by UCF over a 2:02 period built the Knights a commanding lead.

Holman hit Breshad Perriman for a 52-yard score and then Alexander picked off John O’Korn, who had started the game at quarterback for the Cougars. Moffitt then hit a 42-yard field goal after the Cougars went 3 and out.

Bullard’s two field goals got the Cougars close in the fourth before Alexander forced the fumble with 23 seconds left to seal a Knights win.

Holman completed just six passes for 101 yards and two scores. William Stanback led the Knights in rushing with 44 yards while Dontravious Wilson added 36.

The Knights mustered just 228 yards of offense while converting 5-of-14 third down conversions.

UCF’s defense surrendered 331 yards of offense but routinely came up big when Houston crossed into UCF territory. The Cougars went 6-of-16 on third down while having the football for nearly 33 minutes.

Alexander, Geathers and Jordan Ozerities had nine tackles each for UCF while Troy Gray had seven as well as a tackle for loss. Defensive lineman Jaryl Mamea was a beast as he had three sacks while Thomas Niles and Jamiyus Pittman had a sack each.

O’Korn started the game at quarterback but was benched in favour of Ward Jr. after he threw his second interception. Houston put up 214 yards passing and 117 yards on the ground.

The Knights play again on Thursday next week when they host BYU.