UCF's First Step: a UCF-South Carolina State Recap
(Note: yes this is a day later, but hey I was celebrating.)
When Scott Frost came to UCF he promised that UCF would be fun. That the team would be a joy to watch. That potential commits would want to come and play for this team because of the style. That the UCF fans and alumni would be excited to watch this team play on both sides of the ball.
Well we got that and more yesterday. Before we go into greater detail, I want to mention some records that were broken yesterday. Yesterday, UCF's total offense output of 466 yards was more yardage than the team had in any game last season. The 38 points scored last night would have been the highest point total last year. Prior to the shutout last night, the last time UCF had shut out an opponent was against USF in 2014. The 91 plays used by UCF last night were the most that the Knights had used since 1992. But more important the Knights got their first win in 640 days. Yes, that is right ladies and gentlemen our collective nightmare is over. UCF finally won a ha,e and oh was it glorious.
UCF was utterly dominant yesterday on both sides of the ball. In every facet, UCF was the better team. In the statistical categories, UCF led in total yards(446-223), first downs(28-12), turnovers(3-2 though a UCF turnover came in garbage time), and possession(32:22 to 27:38). Now I know that this was a game against South Carolina State and that it was only the first game, but it was oh so important. Coming off of a winless season, a season where UCF was the worst team in college football, the team needed this. The players needed to get their confidence back after that miserable season, the coaching staff needed this to show that UCF could be special once everything falls into place, and the fans needed this after watching whatever last year was. To get this first win is tone setting.
It's not just the fact that UCF won, it is how they did it. I haven't seen a UCF team decimate a team like that since 2013. Offensively, the team struggled early, but then picked it up. It was like a flash, if you blinked, UCF would be in South Carolina State territory. So much different than the run, run, run, punt strategy from last season. This was the hyper aggressive offense we had been promised (even went 3/4 on fourth down)c Sure Justin Holman got off to a bad start: 6-18 to start off, but then he recovered going 8-12 in the second half. Many, including yours truly, thought about bringing in Patti. But Frost stuck with Holman and the faith the coach showed was rewarded. Once Holman found his rhythm, he was unstoppable scoring 3 total touchdowns and throwing for 193 yards. More important Holman had 0 turnovers a large improvement from previous incarnations of Holman. Then there is Jawon Hamilton who made his debut for UCF and rushed for 56 yards. In fact 8 different players combined for 201 yards rushing. This would have been the biggest single game rushing total last year. Then there is Tre'Quan Smith, the lone bright spot from last year, who once again shined. He led the team with 65 yards and a spectacular touchdown. Oh and let us not forget Tristan Payton who is finally being used correctly throwing for 24 yards. Yes there were a few bumps, but once this offense got going, it was a machine.
While all the focus was on the offense, the defense was the better unit. You want to talk domination? Look at what this defense did last night. The switch from 4-3 to 3-4 was much better than expected and makes you wonder why didn't UCF run this defense sooner. The 3-4 seems like a natural fit for these athletes. Whereas the defense last year looked slow and lost, this defense looked faster and more aggressive. Sure the defense only got 1 sack, but they mauled South Carolina State's offense all night. Whenever a SCSU player received the ball, there were 3 or 4 defensive players to make the stop. Oh and they were ball hungry. UCF forced 3 turnovers(2 fumbles and a highlight interception). The star player of course was Shaquem Griffin who recently converted from defensive back to linebacker. Shaquem flew over the field pressured the qb, got the only sack, and forced a fumble. I'll talk about the brilliance to switch him from DB to LB later in the week. Then there is 17 year old Trysten Hill, a defensive end that originally picked UVA, but ended up at UCF. He was a bull yesterday and mauled the offensive line. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets double teamed as the season progresses. He is a force. But the person who deserves the most credit is defensive coordinator Erik Chinander. He is a mastermind. He has rebuilt this once proud UCF defense and I am so excited to see where this unit is ranked during the season.
When I write my UCF book I think I will title it "The (attempted) Assassination of the UCF Football Team by the Coward Brent Key". There is a part of me that is still angry about last year. Yesterday only fueled that. You see UCF has talent, has the players to win, but they needed coaching. I fully believe that after the FIU loss that the UCF coaching staff checked out last year. That the staff stopped coaching these kids and left them to fend for themselves. But now UCF has a coaching staff that is building something special. A staff with passion and knowledge to win. And I for one cannot wait for what the end product will look like. Last night was the first step in that journey and it was a hell of a first step.
I will have a breakdown and analysis and Michigan preview(along with a Liverpool article) probably tomorrow. But for now let us rejoice and celebrate.
