ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF and Tulsa will square off for the 10th time Saturday in Orlando. The Knights will recognize 20 senior prior to their final home game at Bright House Networks Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on ESPNews.
The Knights enter the game 6-4 overall and 4-2 in the American Athletic Conference. UCF is coming off a 24-3 victory over Cincinnati. Tulsa is 7-3 overall and 4-2 in American Athletic Conference play. The Golden Hurricane dropped a 42-40 decision to West Division leading Navy last week.
Saturday's game could be an interesting matchup of a defensive-oriented team vs. an offensive-oriented squad. The Knights rank No. 20 in the nation in scoring defense and No. 30 in total defense -- allowing just 20.6 points and 360.3 yards per game. The Golden Hurricane are No. 12 in scoring offense and No. 8 in total offense -- averaging 42.2 points and 518.5 yards a contest.
THE SERIES
The Knights and Golden Hurricane have some history. The two have played for a conference title three times back in Conference USA. Tulsa was 2-1 in those league championship matchups. In addition, three of the last five meetings were decided by less than a touchdown.
Tulsa has won five of the last six meetings. UCF's last victory in the series came in the most recent matchup in Orlando -- a 31-7 victory for the Knights on Nov. 14, 2014. In Orlando, UCF holds a 3-2 edge in the series.
BOWL-BOUND TURNAROUND
For the seventh time in 10 years, UCF will be playing in the college football postseason. The Knights had a one-year hiatus from bowl action in 2015, after going winless last season. No team since the 2005 UCF squad has gone from winless-to-bowl game in a one-year span.
To this point in the season, UCF is currently enjoying the biggest turnaround in the nation from 2015 to 2016. The Knights have won six more games than last year. Eastern Michigan and Wyoming are currently +5 over last year's win total.
SCOUTING THE GOLDEN HURRICANE
Tulsa has a balanced offensive attack that accounts for almost 250 yards rushing and passing per game. The Golden Hurricane have kept the chains moving with the fourth-most first down nationally at 283.
Offensively, Tulsa owns the No. 32 passing offense in the country. Dane Evans has registered 2,614 yards through the air and 22 touchdowns. The running back duo of James Flaunders and D'Angelo Brewer have each eclipsed 1,000 yards in the campaign and totaled 19 touchdowns.
Tulsa ranks 12th in The American in total defense, allowing 536.2 yards per game. The Golden Hurricane have forced 16 turnovers, ranking 54th nationally. Trent Martin leads the Tulsa defense with 75 tackles and two interceptions. A total of 12 tackles for loss have been tallied by Jesse Brubaker.
LAST TIME OUT
For the seventh time in 10 years, the Knights are going bowling. UCF picked up its sixth victory of the season Saturday, stopping Cincinnati, 24-3.
A big special teams play changed the momentum midway through the third quarter. With UCF leading 10-3, the Knights' defense forced a three-and-out. On Cincinnati's punt attempt, sophomore Tre Neal broke through the protection and blocked a Bearcat punt. Senior Justin McDonald scooped the ball up at the Cincinnati 23-yard line and raced into the end zone untouched to put UCF on top, 17-3.
The defense looked to get into the scoring act in the fourth quarter. Senior Errol Clarke -- who already had three sacks -- was all over Cincinnati QB Hayden Moore. Moore tried to throw it away, but it went right to junior defensive lineman Seyvon Lowry, who returned it 42 yards to the end zone, but a live-ball celebration penalty negated the touchdown.
Three plays later, Freshman running back Jawon Hamilton broke through the right side of the line and cruised to a 25-yard touchdown. The Matthew Wright PAT made it, 24-3.
The Knights grabbed a 3-0 lead midway through the first quarter on a 22-yard Wright field goal. On its next possession, true freshmen McKenzie Milton and Dredrick Snelson hooked up for a one-yard touchdown pass, capping a 10-play, 56-yard scoring drive.
