ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF football team is off to its best start in program history at 9-0. Powered by the best scoring offense in the nation, the No. 12 Knights can set a new program record for consecutive wins with a victory Saturday against a Temple squad in its first year under head coach Geoff Collins.
What a difference a year makes.
In 2016, UCF entered Week 7 of Scott Frost's first season as a head coach looking to make a statement against a veteran Temple team that would eventually go on to win the American Athletic Conference Championship.
The Knights jumped out to a 25-7 lead in the second quarter, before the Owls' defense, which finished the year ranked third in the nation in total defense and 11th in scoring defense, shut the Black and Gold out for the final 42:34 of the game.
After cutting the deficit to five points late in the fourth, Temple quarterback Phillip Walker found Keith Kirkwood in the end zone for the game-winning touchdown with one second remaining.
"I'm sick to my stomach, we let one get away. Those things can't happen," Frost said after the game last year. "We've all got to do a better job finishing. It's a learning process for all of us and those are all lessons you don't want to learn. "
Through nine games of the 2017 season, the Knights have learned a few lessons.
UCF has left quite a few teams in the rearview mirror this season, holding an average margin of victory of 27.9 points. However, that does not mean that opponents have rolled over when UCF has taken the lead. The Black and Gold fended off late drives at Navy and SMU to remain perfect.
Think Frost used that 2017 clash as a motivator this week? No chance.
"Last year was a tough game," Frost stated earlier this week at his press conference. "But we're not going to focus too much on that. Every year is a new year. If our kids draw a little bit more motivation from that, then that's fine, but we're certainly not going to think about it too much. We're a new team, and they're a new team."
The Owls are in a much different spot than a year ago. Then head coach Matt Rhule guided Temple to the 2017 American Athletic Conference Championship before departing for the same position at Baylor at the end of the season.
Enter Geoff Collins to take the reins. Following a rocky start, the former defensive coordinator at Mississippi State and Florida has the Owls gaining momentum and just one win away from bowl eligibility. Temple has found its stride with three wins in its last five games, and a win against 9-0 UCF would be make Collins' first year with the Owls even more of a success.
"We have to be ready for a fight up there," Frost added on Thursday. "They're improving as a football team. They're excited about where they are. We have to go up there and be ready to win in a physical game."
One year later, the Knights are in a vastly different position, but just like last season, UCF is preparing for a challenge when the Knights face Temple on the road Saturday at noon on ESPNU.
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