UCF put together a 17-point third quarter that brought the Knights within one score. Tulsa still found a way to pull away as the losing continues.
It came in a rush. The opportunity to win and make a game of it — something UCF had not seen in a very long time this season.
Down 24-3 at the beginning of the third quarter, Brendin Straubel ended one of those momentum-destroying drives to start the third quarter with an interception. The Knights went 71 yards in nine plays for Taj McGowan to score his first career touchdown.
A 24-10 score seems much more manageable.
It sounds better once Tulsa fumbled the ensuing kickoff to set up UCF for a field goal. A 24-13 score sounds doable no matter the 0-9 record.
When Chequan Burkett intercepts another pass to set up a 3-play, 38-yard touchdown drive and that is a ball game.
The Knights had a chance yet again in the second half thanks to 17 third-quarter points. But that chance was short lived.
Tulsa collected itself and scored a touchdown. It forced a fumble on a punt and had a pick-6. The Golden Hurricane withstood the last blast from the Knights. A last stand to get that first win before time runs out on this forgettable 2015 season.
Tulsa still managed to win 45-30. UCF’s momentum was short lived and that momentary glimmer of hope extinguished quickly. The Knights are still missing 60 minutes of play good enough to win them a game. And so 0-10 it is in this disaster of a season with a bye week and two Thursday night games to go.
Justin Holman completed 22 of 41 passes for 293 yards, with two touchdowns against two interceptions. Taj McGowan managed only 11 carries for 38 yards as the Knights once again failed to establish much of a run game and relied solely on Holman.
Tre’Quan Smith picked up 131 yards on seven receptions, including an amazing catch around a Tulsa defender.
Nossa, olha só essa recepção do Tre'Quan Smith, wide receiver de UCF. pic.twitter.com/nIhcNPQHG5
— CollegeCast – perfil reserva (@OCollegeCast2) November 7, 2015
Tulsa, on the other hand, got 168 yards on 19 carries from Ramadi Warren and 19 carries for 82 yards from D’Angelo Brewer. Conner Floyd caught three passes for 72 yards and two touchdowns.
UCF’s defensive depth was tested and found wanting yet again. Tulsa gained 425 yards total on the day. At least UCF held its own with 412 total yards of offense.
The Knights just continue to be in such large deficits that Holman has had to force plays. And he has had to force plays anyway.
That is life as an 0-10 team.
UCF showed signs of life and so maybe the team can sneak one of these final two games at home, to salvage something from this disappointing season. At this point saving The Basement a week of free beer seems like a positive goal.
Ultimately it was another loss for the Knights. Much of the same, even if it was a little better.
