If there was ever any lingering questions concerning who should be the starting quarterback, Matt Grothe has answered his critics. Grothe, who completed 23 of 33 passed for 341 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception, helped in leading the Bulls to a 24-17 win at UCF by completing a pass to seven different receivers. This victory breaks a seven year losing streak in road openers and improves the Bulls’ record to 3-0 for only the second time in the team’s 10 year history. On the other hand, a loss by the Golden Knights drops their season record to 1-2 as well as their overall record to 0-10 against teams from the Big East.
Entering the game, many were wondering whether the Knights would be able to establish a running attack due to starter Kevin Smith being suspended because of a violation of team rules. Jason Peters, who normally plays fullback, was given the starting spot and was very successful at times. He ended the game with 17 carries for 93 yards. On the opening drive of the game, the defense of the Bulls made an immediate impact. With 10:30 remaining in the first quarter, Steven Moffett, under heavy pressure, under threw his receiver to a waiting Trae Williams for the third week in a row. This was the first turnover of the season for UCF.
After the turnover, Grothe threw a swing pass to Ean Randolph who cut to the opposite side of the field, thanks in part to two outstanding blocks made by S.J. Green. The result was a 52 yard gain. Later in the drive on a 3rd and goal from the seven yard line, Grothe hit Marcus Edwards at the three yard line who then walked into the end zone to give the Bulls an early lead. For the game, Edwards had 3 catches for 28 yards and a touchdown. The following drive for the Knights ended the same way. On 2nd and 11 from the Knights 45 yard line, Moffett, under heavy pressure from Chris Robinson, threw a play action pass that was once again intercepted by Trae Williams on an over the shoulder catch as he outran the wide receiver. UCF was able to hit a short a field goal to get on the board after a 16 play drive that went for 79 yards in 6:29. Then with 2:15 left in the half, Steven Moffett, who finished the game completing 19 of 43 for 217 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions, hit Willie Thornton on a 37 yard touchdown pass. This caused USF to enter halftime trailing for the third week in a row.
In the third quarter, Mike Benzer’s name was called on to kick a 30 yard field goal. Benzer, who is 0-5 during his career, nailed it as the third quarter came to a close. The next time USF got the balls they decided to dig deep into the playbook. On second and nine, Grothe handed the ball off to Ean Randolph who pitched to Amarri Jackson who then threw a 31 yard touchdown pass to Amp Hill. This put USF on top 17-10.
Prior to Saturday’s game, USF had outscored opponents 48-0 in the second half. The shutout would have continued if not for a blocked punt which resulted in a 31 yard return touchdown by Blake Carter in the fourth quarter. The play occurred after Alverado fumbled the snap and had his punt blocked by Jordan Richards. On the following drive, Grothe led the Bulls down the field 68 yards off of 9 plays to score the game winning touchdown. The score came on third and 15 when Grothe completed a 28 yard touchdown pass to Ean Randolph. For the game, Randolph had 5 catches for 127 yards and 1 touchdown and Taurus Johnson, who made a big catch on the final drive, had three catches 42 yards.
UCF was given one last chance to drive the length of the field and tie the game. Moffitt repeatedly completed passes to Mike Walker, who was the game’s leading receiver with 12 catches for 133 yards. UCF found themselves facing a fourth and six with 30 seconds left. As Moffitt dropped back, he once again faced heavy pressure and was brought down by Chris Robinson to secure the USF victory.
|
| Final |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
T |
| USF |
7 |
0 |
3 |
14 |
24 |
| UCF |
0 |
10 |
0 |
7 |
17 |
|
South
Florida |
Central
Florida |
| Pass |
Matt Grothe
23/33 341 yds, 3TD, 1INT |
Steven Moffett
19/43 217 yds, 1TD, 2INT |
| Rush |
Matt Grothe
22/70 yds, 3TD |
Jason Peters
17/93 yds |
| Rec |
Ean Randolph
5/127 yds, 1TD |
Mike Walker
12/133 yds |
|
|
|
Scoring Summary
|
| 1st Quarter |
| USF |
TD |
6:52 |
MARCUS EDWARDS 7 YD PASS FROM MATT GROTHE
(MIKE BENZER KICK) |
| 2nd Quarter |
| UCF |
FG |
6:07 |
MICHAEL TORRES 22 YD FG |
| UCF |
TD |
2:15 |
WILLIE THORNTON 37 YD PASS FROM STEVEN
MOFFETT (MICHAEL TORRES KICK) |
| 3rd Quarter |
| USF |
FG |
0:00 |
MIKE BENZER 30 YD FG |
| 4th Quarter |
| USF |
TD |
11:05 |
BENJAMIN WILLIAMS 2 YD PASS FROM MATT
GROTHE (MIKE BENZER KICK) |
| UCF |
TD |
7:14 |
BLAKE CARTER 31 YD BLOCKED PUNT RETURN
(MICHAEL TORRES KICK) |
| USF |
TD |
3:20 |
EAN RANDOLPH 27 YD PASS FROM MATT GROTHE
(MIKE BENZER KICK) |
|
|
|
|
| PASSING |
| |
CP/AT |
YDS |
TD |
INT |
| M Grothe |
21/31 |
302 |
3 |
1 |
| A Jackson |
1/1 |
31 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
| PASSING |
| |
CP/AT |
YDS |
TD |
INT |
| S Moffett |
19/44 |
219 |
1 |
2 |
|
| RUSHING |
| |
ATT |
YDS |
AVG |
TD |
| M Grothe |
21 |
73 |
3.5 |
0 |
| W Smith |
4 |
14 |
3.5 |
0 |
| B Williams |
8 |
5 |
0.6 |
0 |
| A Jackson |
1 |
5 |
5.0 |
0 |
| E Randolph |
2 |
3 |
1.5 |
0 |
| K Dorsey |
1 |
2 |
2.0 |
0 |
| T Johnson |
1 |
-2 |
-2.0 |
0 |
|
|
| RUSHING |
| |
ATT |
YDS |
AVG |
TD |
| J Peters |
20 |
98 |
4.9 |
0 |
| P Smith |
6 |
32 |
5.3 |
0 |
| S Moffett |
8 |
10 |
1.3 |
0 |
|
| RECEIVING |
| |
REC |
YDS |
AVG |
TD |
| E Randolph |
5 |
126 |
25.2 |
1 |
| A Hill |
3 |
52 |
17.3 |
0 |
| T Johnson |
3 |
40 |
13.3 |
0 |
| C Erskin |
1 |
29 |
29.0 |
0 |
| M Edwards |
3 |
28 |
9.3 |
1 |
| W Bleakley |
2 |
22 |
11.0 |
0 |
| S Green |
1 |
16 |
16.0 |
0 |
| C Hill |
1 |
10 |
10.0 |
0 |
| D Gordon |
1 |
8 |
8.0 |
0 |
| B Williams |
1 |
2 |
2.0 |
1 |
|
|
| RECEIVING |
| |
REC |
YDS |
AVG |
TD |
| M Walker |
12 |
133 |
11.1 |
0 |
| W Thornton |
1 |
37 |
37.0 |
1 |
| C Rabazinski |
3 |
20 |
6.7 |
0 |
| R Ross |
1 |
20 |
20.0 |
0 |
| J Peters |
1 |
7 |
7.0 |
0 |
| M Merritt |
1 |
2 |
2.0 |
0 |
|
| KICK
RETURNS |
| |
NO. |
YDS |
AVG |
TD |
| T Johnson |
1 |
42 |
42.0 |
0 |
| M Jenkins |
2 |
27 |
13.5 |
0 |
|
|
| KICK
RETURNS |
| |
NO. |
YDS |
AVG |
TD |
| C Francis |
1 |
14 |
14.0 |
0 |
| K Jackson |
1 |
13 |
13.0 |
0 |
|
| PUNT
RETURNS |
| |
NO. |
YDS |
AVG |
TD |
| E Randolph |
2 |
33 |
16.5 |
0 |
|
|
| PUNT
RETURNS |
| |
NO. |
YDS |
AVG |
TD |
| B Carter |
0 |
31 |
Infinity |
0 |
| J Richards |
1 |
22 |
22.0 |
0 |
| J Burnett |
1 |
16 |
16.0 |
0 |
|
| INTERCEPTIONS |
| |
NO. |
YDS |
AVG |
TD |
| T Williams |
2 |
-4 |
-2.0 |
0 |
|
|
| INTERCEPTIONS |
| |
NO. |
YDS |
AVG |
TD |
| S Rashad |
1 |
15 |
15.0 |
0 |
|
Talk about it On
USFnation.com Message Boards
USFNation.com - Get it
First, Get it Fast!
|