ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF and Houston will square off the for the eighth time Saturday in Houston. The kick is set for noon ET on ESPNU.
UCF enters the contest 4-3 overall and 2-1 in the American Athletic Conference. After spotting UConn a 13-0 lead last week, the Knights outscored the Huskies 24-3 and held UConn scoreless in the second half of a 24-16 win. Houston is 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the AAC after dropping a 38-16 decision at SMU last week. SMU took advantage of two early turnovers in the contest to build early momentum.
Third downs could be a real key to watch in Saturday's matchup. Houston is No. 13 in the nation and No. 2 in the AAC in converting third downs. Meanwhile, the Knights are No. 8 (NCAA)/No. 1 (AAC) in stopping opponents on third down.
Houston is stout against the run, allowing just 98.5 yards per game on the ground, which ranks No. 6 in the nation and No. 1 in the AAC. UCF is rushing for 189.9 yards per game (No. 51/No. 5).
THE SERIES
Saturday marks the eighth meeting between Houston and UCF on the gridiron. The Knights lead the all-time series 5-2.
While UCF owns the advantage in the all-time series, Houston blew out UCF 59-10 in last year's UCF Homecoming game. Prior to last season's blowout, there had only
been one other double-digit margin of victory (a 51-31 win by Houston in 2006).
While Houston's two wins have been by an average of 34.5 points, the Knights have won the close ones. UCF's victories in the series have been by scores of 31-29
(2005); 37-32 (2009); 40-33 (2010); 19-14 (2013) and 17-12 (2014). That's an average margin of victory of 4.8 points in the Knights' wins over the Cougars.
SCOUTING THE COUGARS
The Cougars' are led offensively by Greg Ward, Jr., who serves as a dual-threat quarterback, leading the team in passing and rushing. Ward has a combined 19 touchdowns on the season.
Houston is stout against the run, allowing just 98.5 yards per game on the ground, which ranks No. 6 in the nation and No. 1 in the AAC.
Matthew Adams anchors the defense with 49 total tackles. Ed Oliver leads the team in tackles for loss with 10.5.
LAST TIME OUT
UCF spotted UConn 13 points to open the game, then outscored the Huskies 24-3 to take a 24-16 AAC victory Saturday at Rentschler Field.
UConn led 6-0 after the first quarter, as the Knight defense stymied the Huskies deep in UCF territory twice to force field goals. UConn finally broke through with 9:41 left in the first half when Arkeel Newsome scored from three yards out to make it 13-0.
The Knights responded to that touchdown with a 93-yard scoring drive. Two true freshmen hooked up for the first UCF score of the day as Dredrick Snelson hauled in a 22-yard reception from McKenzie Milton to make it 13-7. UConn extended its lead to 16-7 late in the first half with a field goal at the 1:25 mark.
Milton and the Knights answered with a 75 yard, nine play drive. With one second left in the first half, Milton found tight end Jordan Akins on a 19-yard touchdown pass.
The Knights took the opening possession of the second half 75 yards, capped by a Milton-to-Adrian Killins 39-yard touchdown pass, putting UCF on top for the first time in the contest. Less than one minute into the fourth quarter, Wright hit a career-long 50-yard field goal to put the Knights on top 24-16.
