#Knightlanta Report
Sami Kincaid is in #Knightlanta to keep Knight Nation up-to-date on what the UCF football team is up to as we lead into Monday's Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Click the play button above or the "watch" link to the right to check out the second #Knightlanta Report of the week.
#Knightlanta Feature – Tre Neal's Heroics Lead to Homecoming
Neal grabbed the game-winning pick in The American Championship
Junior safety Tre Neal could be forgiven if he got a big head after making one of the most memorable plays in UCF history. His interception in double overtime vs. Memphis secured the American Athletic Conference Championship for the Knights and lifted them into Monday's Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
But it is his big head – in the literal sense – that Shaquem Griffin credits for Neal being in position to make that play.
"He has a big head. I guess that's why he's so smart," Griffin said.
Neal's football IQ – and maybe even a bit of clairvoyance or ESP – helped put him in position to make one of the plays that has defined the Knights' season. With UCF leading 62-55 and Memphis looking to tie the game in the second overtime, Neal had a premonition on the sideline and he made sure to remind his teammates what to do if they secured a turnover.
"For some reason I had a feeling that a turnover was going to have to happen," Neal said. "I was just telling people we've got to get an interception or a fumble or anything. 'Just fall on it on the ground.'"
That's exactly what happened. And it just so happened that Griffin and Neal were the two key players on the play.
Memphis was threatening to send the game to a third overtime. On second-and-goal from the UCF 9-yard line, Griffin came free and pressured Riley Ferguson, the Tigers' quarterback. Ferguson rushed his pass attempt and threw it right to Neal. The Atlanta native secured the ball, heeded his own advice and fell to the ground.
"He's that guy who knows what's going on," Griffin said. "He knows what's coming at him before it's even happening. It's good when you have a guy like that who studies so much that they know everything that's happening around them."
Neal's play secured a trip home to Atlanta for him and many of his teammates who are from the Atlanta area. But that's not what thrilled him most about being part of securing a championship and a historic bowl matchup for the Knights. Like it has been all season for the Black and Gold, it was about his brothers on the field.
"It's humbling. All these guys, I know they've worked just as hard as me. I know that if any of them were in the same position, they would have made the same play," Neal said. "But it just so happened that God wanted it to be me. I know that it was one of the biggest (plays) in the history (of UCF). I'm just happy I was able to make a play for my team."
Neal and his teammates will aim to make history once again on Monday, taking on Auburn in the 2018 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at 12:30 p.m.
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