ORLANDO – Following UCF football’s 34-9 victory over North Carolina, the Knights’ offensive line group was honored as Big 12 Offensive Line of the Week.
The UCF offensive line’s play was a story of resilience in tribute to offensive line coach Shawn Clark. The unit responded by allowing zero sacks in the Knights’ victory, the first time this season and the first since Oct. 19, 2024 at No. 9 Iowa State. The Black and Gold controlled the game with three scoring drives of 13 plays or more, including a final march of 18 plays for 93 yards and a touchdown that took over 10 minutes off the clock in the fourth quarter to ice the game.
In addition to keeping the quarterback clean against the Tar Heels, UCF’s offensive line graded out as the second-best pass blocking performance in the Big 12 Conference this week. According to PFF, UCF’s starting five averaged a 74.86 grade in pass blocking, second to BYU at 76.08. So far this season, UCF’s offensive line as a whole has posted a 75.3 grade.
Fifth-year Knight Paul Rubelt led the pass block grade in the offensive line group with an 86.5 clip. On the season, Rubelt is ranked the No. 28 tackle in the FBS in pass block grade.
Rubelt earned his third straight starting nod along with Gaard Memmelaar, Carter Miller, Keegan Smith and Preston Cushman this week. Patrick Barnett, Jabari Brooks, Cameron Kinnie and Owen Spell also saw snaps in the contest.
The offensive line’s honor this week is the second Big 12 weekly award the Knights have earned. Jaden Nixon was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week in UCF’s 68-7 victory over N.C. A&T in Week 2.
About UCF Athletics
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.