ORLANDO – Despite outgaining its opponent for the fourth time in as many games, the UCF football team was handed its first loss of the 2024 season Saturday evening, as the Colorado Buffaloes earned a 48-21 win against the Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium. In the first meeting between the teams, CU jumped out to an early lead and never relinquished it en route to the victory.
“Congratulations to Colorado. They outplayed us, they outcoached us. They're a good team,” said UCF head coach Gus Malzahn. “I'm real disappointed for our fans. They brought it today with everything and we talked about seizing the moment, we didn't get it done.
“I just told our team that in the game of football and in life, you learn the most about yourself in major adversity and we didn't get it done.”
Looking to put a bow on a great day for the program after hosting Big Noon Kickoff with one of the largest crowds in the history of the show, the Knights fell short in their pursuit.
Entering the game as one of the nation’s top offenses, UCF (3-1, 1-1 Big 12) tallied 461 yards of total offense but had four turnovers, which proved to be the difference. Colorado (4-1, 2-0) compiled 418 yards with 290 through the air and 128 on the ground, but the Buffs were 4-for-4 on red zone attempts and only had one turnover.
Part of the Knights’ Achilles heel was that three of their turnovers came in the red zone, as the Black and Gold were 2-for-5 when driving inside the 20-yard line. UCF was just 6-of-18 on third down, unable to extend drives to trim the deficit against Colorado.
UCF forced a turnover on the opening drive of the game, as linebacker Deshawn Pace picked off a Shedeur Sanders pass to give the Knights great field position on his eighth career interception and second of the season. After moving the ball down to the five-yard line, CU’s Preston Hodge intercepted a pass in the back of the end zone to regain possession for the Buffaloes.
Following the turnover, Colorado scored on its next three drives to jump out to a 21-7 lead midway through the second quarter. KJ Jefferson scored on a quarterback keeper to trim the margin to seven at 21-14 before two field goals from the Buffaloes within the final three minutes of the half to take a 27-14 advantage into halftime.
Receiving the ball after the intermission, UCF saw its nine-play, 38-yard drive end after Colton Boomer’s 55-yard field goal attempt missed wide left. Colorado converted on the ensuing drive, following a couple big passing plays from Sanders and Micah Welsh finished off the drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown to push the Buffs’ lead to 34-14 and they never looked back.
Jefferson finished the game 20-for-35 with 284 yards passing and a pair of touchdowns, while matching his career high with 20 rushing attempts for 76 yards and a score. Running back RJ Harvey was held to fewer than 100 yards rushing for the first time this season but tallied 169 all-purpose yards thanks to 92 receiving yards and 77 rushing. He logged his second receiving touchdown of the season on a career-long 75-yard grab.
Xavier Townsend found the end zone for the first time this season, reeling in a 15-yard touchdown reception late in the third quarter as UCF looked to mount a comeback. Trent Whittemore snagged a career-long 54-yard reception and Kobe Hudson had two catches for 39 yards.
Defensively, linebacker Ethan Barr tallied eight tackles and Ladarius Tennison notched seven. Malachi Lawrence secured his first sack of the season and Nyjalik Kelly added his second sack of the season in the contest.
The Knights will return to action at Florida next weekend with Saturday’s game set for 7:45 p.m. on SEC Network from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.