ANNAPOLIS, Md. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF football team was tested for the first time this season on Saturday at Navy. The No. 20/20 Knights showed their toughness and grit in a 31-21 road victory to improve to 6-0 for the first time in program history.
The Midshipmen (5-2, 3-2) came into the game leading the nation with 397.5 rushing yards per game, but the Knights' defense slowed down the Navy offense to 248 yards on the ground. UCF gave up a handful big plays, but came up big and forced three turnovers. Late in the second quarter when Navy had the ball in UCF territory, Kyle Gibson picked off Zach Abey's pass at the two-yard line. Later in the fourth quarter and up by three with 7:07 to play, Brandon Moore halted a Midshipmen drive with a punishing hit to jar the ball loose.
While the defense was relentless against the Navy triple-option, the Knights racked up 483 yards of offense, including 247 on the ground. Adrian Killins, Jr. rushed for 122 yards and two touchdowns. Otis Anderson sealed the win with a late 10-yard rushing touchdown to go along with his career-high 56 yards on the ground.
AK - BLINK AND YOU'LL MISS HIM
* After Navy tied the game up at 14-14 in the third quarter, Killins responded with a 79-yard touchdown run on the first play of the drive.
* Killins set a new career high for yards rushing, besting his 115 against Memphis earlier this season.
* The sophomore also added a 15-yard scamper up the middle in the second quarter. He now has five rushing touchdowns this season.
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO CATCH HIM!!
Adrian Killins answers back with a 79-yard scamper down the sideline ????
21-14#UCFast pic.twitter.com/dLWO85b1Az-- UCF Football (@UCF_Football) October 21, 2017
"It was a great feeling to see all that space in front of me. My coaches put that scheme in practice. The offensive line did a great job blocking that. Tre'Quan Smith honestly solidified that run. He cracked the corner and pressed him down. Once I get across the edge, I know no one is going to catch me, so I just finished the run."- Adrian Killins, Jr.
THEY CALL HIM BAM FOR A REASON
* Brandon Moore (Bam) came up big with a forced fumble, fumble recovery and an interception, all career firsts.
* The redshirt freshman tallied a pair of tackles in the win.
* Moore also chipped in on Gibson's interception, tipping the ball away from a Navy receiver and into his fellow defensive back's hands.
BAM ??#UCFierce pic.twitter.com/Su7tdgmJA9-- UCF Football (@UCF_Football) October 21, 2017
"We worked that play all week. Coach told me that my name was going to get called. We got the play, and I saw motion. All I had to was trigger and make the play. It was probably the biggest hit I ever put on somebody."- Bam Moore
HEAD COACH SCOTT FROST
On his team responding in a close game...
"When you get in a close game, you really need some heart. You need to play together. You need to have guys who will make plays when the game is on the line. I thought we had some guys step up at very important times."
On the momentum change on Killins' touchdown...
"That was huge. AK has been doing that for us for a year and a half. I thought they did a good job on defense. They mixed some things up. They were really trying to plug up the middle. I think they squeezed it down a little too much and AK found the edge and outran everybody. He's an eraser. He erased a tied game and gave us a seven-point lead."
On Otis Anderson stepping up late...
"We trust all our backs. It says a lot about how we feel about him when we have him in there at the end. He's a playmaker. I think he and AK get lost in the offense line. They can find a seam and exploit it. That last touchdown was huge, and I was happy for him."
On the Bam Moore turnover...
"We traded turnovers there. We certainly can't make that mistake with the interception. Maybe I should have had us in something different, but we have to take care of the football there. I thought the game was in jeopardy. We trapped the corner on an option, and the quarterback pitched it, and Brandon Moore made an unbelievable play there to really save the day for us. We were able to score to put the game out of reach. In a close game, it's one or two plays, and Brandon Moore made the play of the day tonight."
FROST BYTES
MARC DANIELS ON THE CALL
UP NEXT
The Knights return to Spectrum Stadium next Saturday to face Austin Peay. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. on ESPN3.
RISE AND CONQUER
The second season of UCF Football under head coach Scott Frost is now underway. Fans can explore all of the new ticket options at Spectrum Stadium by visiting WeRiseandConquer.com or calling (407) 823-1000.
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