Sept. 18, 2011
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By Marc Daniels
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Football can be a game of inches and split-second decisions. Sometimes those few moments can determine the outcome of a game. That was the case as UCF suffered its first loss of the season before an FIU-record crowd in south Florida.
The 17-10 setback stings a bit more, and not because FIU is not a good team. In fact, the Panthers might be a very good team with a shot at double-digit wins and another conference title.
Two turnovers led to 14 FIU points and were really the difference in the contest. Even if UCF does not score at the end of the first half, they still would have had a 7-0 lead and control of the game. Instead, pressure led to the fumble by Jeff Godfrey and the return for a FIU that changed momentum. Whether Godfrey's arm was going forward when he got hit is something a Sun Belt officiating crew had to decide and their decision upheld the score and suddenly it was 7-7.
UCF's second turnover was a dagger. Josh Robinson touched a wobbly ball after a punt and FIU recovered at the UCF 9 yard line and scored one play later after one of nine UCF penalties.
For so many games UCF won key categories on the stat page. Usually, UCF wins the turnover, penalty, defensive sacks and time of possession battle. On this night, they lost all four.
The stat sheet would tell you UCF's defense played well enough to win. They allowed only 204 total yards. The group limited FIU's spread passing attack to126 yards and did not allow receiver T.Y. Hilton to break any big play.
But Godfrey was sacked six times and felt pressure throughout most of the night. It was a frustrating game for a team that had been able to control the trenches over the last dozen games dating back to last year.
George O'Leary constantly preaches the need to win all three phases of the game and how important special teams is. But he also talks about the importance of the little things and how they can add up. On this night, too many little things added up and UCF could not overcome those things which led to the season's first loss.
Knights notes and more: Tremendous showing by the UCF fans who were out in droves and likely made up a third of the record crowd at FIU...Fans will notice a different look to FIU Stadium when UCF returns in 2013. The press box will switch sides and the lower bowl will expand capacity up to 45,000...Despite the loss, the UCF defense has allowed just one offensive touchdown in the last 16 quarters and that drive totaled nine yards...The FIU game saw UCF's streak of nine-straight games with an interception come to an end...George O'Leary will try again for career win 100 at BYU this Friday. The Cougars dropped a 54-10 decision to in-state rival Utah late Saturday night. BYU had seven turnovers in the first non-conference game between the two schools in the 113 year history of the rivalry...BYU was held 11 yards on 22 rush attempts...This will be UCF's second trip for a game in the state of Utah. In 2001, the Knights lost a 30-27 game in Logan,against Utah State...It will be UCF's first game against a current independent school...Props to UCF baseball coach Terry Rooney who competed against me in an 1980s music challenge on my radio show. Coach knows his baseball as well as great hair bands of the 80s...Reminder with the Friday game at BYU, O'Leary's radio show will be Wednesday this week at The MOAT Sports Grille...Final thought: After traveling to and from south Florida, I have no love for the lovebug.
Marc Daniels' From the Press Box runs several times per month on UCFAthletics.com. Listen to Marc during UCF football, men's basketball and baseball radio broadcasts on the UCF Sports Network. Each weekday, Marc hosts The Beat of Sports on ESPN Radio 1080 in Orlando.