Oct. 17, 2015
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Temple - Images by UCF Knights
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (UCFKnights.com) - Two Temple fourth-quarter touchdowns proved to be the difference Saturday night at Lincoln Financial Field as the Owls picked up a 30-16 victory over UCF.
The Knights took advantage of four Temple turnovers to build a 16-14 lead after three quarters. But UCF couldn't hold on and was outscored 16-0 in the final 15 minutes.
"We had opportunities and didn't take advantage of some things," UCF head coach George O'Leary said. "Give Temple credit. They took advantage of the plays they had to make today. But we had opportunities out there. When you get the ball in great field position, you've got to put points on the board, and we didn't get that done."
After Temple jumped out to a 14-3 lead, a big defensive play pulled the Knights pulled within four. UCF hadn't recorded an interception through the first six games. But Shaquill Griffin made the first one of 2015 count. He picked off Temple QB P.J. Walker at the Knights' 19-yard line and raced 81 yards untouched for the pick-six to make it 14-10 midway through the second quarter.
Matthew Wright added a 27-yard field goal with one minute remaining in the first half to get the Knights within one, 14-13, at the intermission. Wright also converted from 41 yards out on the first possession of the second half to put UCF on top 16-14 and that's where the score stood going into the fourth quarter.
A 65-yard punt return on the first play of the fourth quarter set the Owls up with great field position. Two plays later Jahad Thomas rumbled in from 22 yards out to give the Owls a 22-16 lead after the two-point conversion. Another Thomas TD and another two-point conversion with 4:54 remaining put the game out of reach. Thomas rushed for 199 yards and three touchdowns for Temple.
The Owls opened the game with a nine-play, 73-yard drive to grab a 7-0 lead. The Knights cracked the scoreboard just before the end of the first quarter. Wright converted a 48-yard field goal to make it 7-3. Temple pushed its lead to 14-3 early in the second quarter when Walker tossed a 3-yard touchdown pass to Ventell Bryant.
Griffin Can Fly
- Shaquill Griffin's second quarter pick-six was the second interception of his career.
- It was UCF's first interception of the season and the first returned for a touchdown since Lyle Dankenbring took one to the house against UAB on Nov. 24, 2012.
- Griffin's 81-yard return is the fourth-longest interception return in UCF history. The former high school track star was untouched as he raced down the UCF sideline for the score.
"In the locker room today, we were like `Who's going to make the first play?' I was quick to raise my hand. It happened and I'm glad it did. I saw the receiver sit down ... and I knew Drico (Johnson) had me over the top with the other route. I kind of sat down and he threw it right to me." - Griffin
Spreading the Wealth
- When Joey Puopolo hauled in a Justin Holman pass in the second quarter, he became the 20th Knight to catch a pass this season.
- That's the most receivers ever to catch at least one pass in a season for the Knights.
Story by Andy Seeley; Photos by Brad Helton