TAMPA, Fla. – After a slow start from both UCF and Florida, the Gators would be the first to get on the board with a two-yard Dameon Pierce rushing TD, capping off an eight-play 58-yard drive. This made it 7-0 Gators with 1:22 left in the first quarter.
The Knights would answer on the ensuing possession with a ten-play 74-yard drive, resulting in a three-yard TD run from Isaiah Bowser. UCF elected to go for two but were unsuccessful, leaving the Gators out in front 7-6 with 12:29 left in the 2nd quarter.
Looking to answer with consecutive scores, Florida lined up for a 51-yard Chris Howard field goal that fell short as his foot kicked the ground before the ball.
The Knights would answer the misstep from UF with a nine-play 49-yard drive that ended with a 34-yard Daniel Obarski field goal. This gave UCF their field lead of the game at 9-7, with 6:16 left in the 1st half.
Emory Jones got the Gators offense back to work quickly, using his legs and arm to lead his squad back into the red zone. However, the Knights defense would stand tall and limit Florida to a field goal, which Howard pushed through from 26-yards out to make it 10-9 UF with 1:36 left on the 2nd quarter clock.
This is where things stood at the end of the 1st half.
Halftime Stats-
UCF
Passing
Mikey Keene – 8 of 13 for 48 yards
Rushing
Five rushers combined for 98 yards, led by Isaiah Bowser with 39 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries
Receiving
Ryan O’Keefe 4 receptions for 23 yards
Florida
Passing
Emory Jones – 9 of 22 passing for 88 yards
Rushing
Three rushers combined for 145 yards led by Emory Jones with eight carries for 66 yards
Receiving
Justin Shorter – 2 receptions for 34 yards
Written By: Adrian Beecher
