UCF could easily be sitting here this morning, heading to the midway point of its regular season, riding high after one of the more stunning offensive displays in Knights history.
Instead, the translation left Josh Heupel's crew (2-2 overall, 1-2 in American Athletic Conference games) to mull what might have been.
When Heupel talks about trying to ensure his team is on the ride side of one play that makes a difference, his players understand. The fine line between winning and losing was never more narrow than it was Saturday at the Liberty Bowl.
Here are some takeaways from that UCF trip to Memphis:
- Complementary football. That's a subject that likely will be mentioned this week following consecutive UCF losses (for the first time in four years). The offense needs to complement the defense—which needs to complement the special teams. If all that doesn't happen, all the yards and tackles for losses in the world may not be enough. The Knights will be seeking the right equation this week.
- Second-half blues. The Knights aren't going to score on every possession (are they?), yet double-digit halftime advantages the last two Saturdays didn't prove to be enough. UCF will find ways to effectively keep its foot on the gas pedal on both sides of the ball after intermission.
- Let's not jinx anyone, but . . . here's the secret sauce. UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel focused his offseason work on the fact all of his 2019 interceptions came in the three games the Knights lost. And so there's little question that a big part of the UCF success on the offensive side this fall has come because, even with all the brassy passing statistics, Gabriel has thrown only two interceptions in 2020—one when his throwing arm was hit as he threw and a second on a tipped ball. Meanwhile, of the top 11 teams nationally in passing yards per game, eight of them have thrown three or fewer interceptions so far this fall—one thrown by BYU, two each by UCF, Florida, Clemson, Alabama and SMU—and three each by LSU and Memphis. The Knights need that trend to continue.
- Let's hang our hat on these. If nothing else, the Knights have designated themselves as a tough out on any given Saturday. That's because UCF has the most prolific offense (ranks number one nationally at 636.3 yards per game) and passing game (also number one at 439 yards per outing) in America. The Knights are fifth nationally in scoring (43.8) and also have recovered more fumbles (nine) than any other team. UCF is fifth in the country in turnover margin (plus-1.75)—and only one team in the country (Syracuse with 16) has gained more turnovers than the Knights' 13.
- Will it be home sweet home again? It's edging toward late October and World Series time, and yet the Knights so far have played only a single home game. UCF now plays three of its next four at the Bounce House—Saturday against Tulane, Nov. 14 vs. Temple and Nov. 21 vs. current unbeaten Cincinnati. The Knights saw their program-record 21-game home win streak end a few weeks back at the hands of Tulsa, so UCF will try to start a new one this week against Tulane.