09-10 at Michigan - Images by UCF KnightsANN ARBOR, Mich. (UCFKnights.com) - No. 5 Michigan defeated UCF 51-14 Saturday afternoon at Michigan Stadium.
Despite the loss and the score, Knights head coach Scott Frost saw positives for his team.
"We came in here and out-hit those guys today," Frost said. "Standing on the sideline, there's no doubt which team was hitting harder. Our guys came in hungry. It's rare that you can come into Michigan and rush for (nearly) 300 yards on them, while they had to run a fly sweep in the fourth quarter to get to 100."
Of course, there were areas to improve.
"We need to fix some things in pass defense. We've got to find ways to throw the ball on offense," Frost said. "There's a lot to fix. But there's also a lot to feel excited about."
The Wolverines took advantage of great field position after partially blocking two UCF punts and a field goal attempt in the first quarter. Michigan scored on drives of 42, 57 and 45 yards to grab a 21-0 lead after one period of play.
The Wolverines added a field goal and touchdown early in the second quarter to go on top, 31-0. The first appearance of UCFast then gave the Knights a lift.
True freshman Adrian Killins took his first carry of the game - and the second of his collegiate career - 87 yards for a record-tying touchdown. Killins went around he right end and outraced the Michigan defense for the score. It tied Kevin Smith's school record for longest rush in school history. Michigan added a field goal before halftime to make the score 34-7 at intermission.
The Knights put together a five-play, 72-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter to make the score 44-14. Dontravious Wilson went up the middle and scored from 34 yards out.
The Wolverines made it 51-14 early in the fourth quarter on a 30-yard touchdown pass to account for the final score.
Strong Rushing Offense & Defense
- The Knights rushed for 275 yards. That's the highest output on the ground for the Knights since Oct. 27, 2012, when UCF ran for 278 at Marshall.
- UCF out-rushed Michigan, 275-119.
Killins' Kruise to the End Zone
- Killins 87-yard touchdown tied Kevin Smith's school record for longest run from scrimmage. Smith did it on Nov. 3, 2007 against Marshall.
- That play is also tied for second-longest play from scrimmage in UCF history. Breshad Perriman's 91-yard TD reception against South Carolina in 2013 is the longest.
- Killins showed his speed on his touchdown run, which should come as no surprise. He won the FHSAA State Championship 200-meter dash the past two years.
"We've been having success with that in practice. Once I get into the secondary, I know I can't get caught. Thanks to my receiver Cam Stewart, he sealed the deal for that touchdown downfield. It was a great experience." - Killins
Defensive Standouts
- Linebacker Chequan Burkett recorded a game-high nine tackles. Most of those stops came after Burkett replaced Demeitre Brim, who left the game after a targeting penalty.
- Burkett also tallied one tackle for loss and a passes broken up.
- Safety T.J. Mutcherson recorded a career-best three tackles for-loss, including his second career sack.
Miscues Hurt
- The Knights saw two punts and two field-goal attempts blocked by Michigan, giving the Wolverines great field position early in the game.
- Two UCF fumbles were lost deep in its own territory. While the defense held Michigan out of the end zone following both turnovers, they did result in six Wolverine points on field goals.
Big Crowd
- Attendance at Michigan Stadium for Saturday's game was 109,295. That's the largest crowd the Knights have ever played in front of.
- The previous record for largest audience to witness UCF play was 104,745 when the Knights visited Ohio State in 2012.