UCF and Tulane will square off for the eighth time Friday in Orlando. Kickoff is slated for 8 p.m. at Bright House Networks Stadium on ESPNU.
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UCF enters the contest 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the American Athletic Conference, while Tulane is also 3-2 overall but 0-1 in the American. The Knights opened conference play with a 47-29 win over ECU last week. The Green Wave fell to Navy 21-14 in its conference opener back in Week 3.
The Knights and Green Wave both feature solid rushing attacks. Tulane is No. 19 in the nation and No. 2 in the AAC, averaging 246.6 yards per game on the ground. UCF is No. 25 and No. 4 at 232.0 yards per game.
Both defensive units are stout, as well. Tulane ranks No. 17 in the nation and No. 2 in The Amerian in total defense, allowing just 309.0 yards per game. UCF is No. 32 in the country and No. 4 in The American in that category, giving up 350.6 ypg.
Tulane is No. 4 in the nation in turnover margin, averaging a +1.60 turnover ratio per contest. Meanwhile, the Knights forced five turnovers last week at East Carolina.
THE SERIES
Friday marks the eighth meeting between Tulane and UCF on the gridiron. The Knights lead the all-time series 5-2. The Green Wave have never defeated UCF in Orlando, with the Knights holding a 3-0 home record in the series. The Knights are 1-0 in Friday night matchups with Tulane.
Last year's game saw Tulane pick up a 45-31 victory in New Orleans. The Green Wave scored 17 points in 2 1/2 minutes in the first half and 14 in less than one minute in the second. Those two outbursts were enough to defeat UCF.
The last time these two teams met in Orlando (during the 2014 season), the Knights escaped with a 20-13 win.
SCOUTING THE GREEN WAVE
Tulane's scheme mimics the Knights as they both run the ball efficiently and have stout defenses.
Offensively, the Green Wave have pounded the rock, averaging 246.6 yards per game on the ground. Dontrell Hilliard garners a bulk of the load and is averaging 76.8 yards per game and scored a team-high five touchdowns.
Tulane's defense ranks No. 17 in the nation and No. 2 in The Amerian in total defense, allowing just 309.0 yards per game. The Green Wave also sit at No. 4 in the nation in turnover margin, averaging a +1.60 turnover ratio per contest.
LAST TIME OUT FOR UCF
For the first time in nearly six years, the UCF football team scored in all phases of the game. It showed on the scoreboard, as the total team effort led to a 47-29 victory over ECU.
Adrian Killins got the scoring started for the Knights with a 100-yard kickoff return to tie the game early in the second quarter. The defense was next, recording a safety to give the Knights a 9-7 lead. Finally, the offense got into the act when Dontravious Wilson scored the first of his two TDs late in the second period.
The Knights' defense made a string of big plays to start the second half. Back-to-back sacks and a tackle for-loss gave ECU minus-22 yards on their first possession of the third quarter. UCF took over at the Pirate 35-yard line after a short punt. Two plays later, freshman Jawon Hamilton went in from two yards out to put UCF up 23-7 just 2:30 into the second half.
ECU scored back-to-back touchdowns to make it 23-21, but Wilson's second touchdown of the game followed by a Brendon Hayes pick-six made it 37-21 Knights.
UCF added a field goal and the two teams traded TDs in the last 1:14 to account for the final tally, 47-29.
