Making the Grade: Knights Crushed by #6 Texas Tech, 48-9

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For those who have ever wondered how much of an advantage schools with significant donations for NIL have over those that don’t, you’ve got a case study for that in the 48-9 beatdown of the UCF Knights at the hands of the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Special Teams: C-

There were some mental errors throughout the day. The first two offensive drives of the game started on the UCF 15 thanks to inadequate kickoff returns. That’s without bringing up a penalty on a free kick.

To be fair, the reason the free kick even happened was thanks to a punt by Anthony Venneri that pinned the Red Raiders on their 2. The Knights’ punter finished his day averaging 45.2 yards per kick with two downed inside the 20 and two over 50 yards, featuring a long of 54.

Kicker Noe Ruellas didn’t see action kicking field goals as UCF was down big early.

Defense: F

14 points allowed in the first 5:30 is a rough start. 21 within the first 5 seconds of the second quarter only makes matters worse. Texas Tech put up 24 second-quarter points to head into the half up 38-2.

To the defense’s credit, they assured the Knights wouldn’t be shut out on the scoreboard. They drew a holding penalty on Texas Tech offensive lineman Howard Sampson in the endzone that led to a safety by rule.

A rough day was predictable for the Knights, missing guys like Malachi Lawrence and Braeden Marshal, but even the defensive tackles had a tough day where the Red Raiders scored on eight of 12 drives (within striking distance for nine when Texas Tech kneeled out the clock).

Offense: F

Tayven Jackson started the game at quarterback. The offense produced three yards in those two opening drives. Davi Belfort took over in the third drive of the game in a drive where they produced negative-4. The Knights didn’t convert on a 1st down until a minute into the second quarter.

UCF head coach Scott Frost would have Jackson take the lion’s share of the snaps as he completed 27 of his 33 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown with an interception.

The problem with UCF’s offense continues to be a lack of explosiveness. One of the biggest plays on the day was former UCF and current Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter getting hit with a roughing the passer foul on Jackson.

The running game was rendered basically useless as the trenches were a liability for UCF against a defense that expected them to try to move the ball on the ground with only one scholarship running back, Jaden Nixon. Apparently, the $7 million spent assembling their defensive line was well spent.

Nixon finished the day carrying 15 times for 32 yards.

UCF converted four third downs on 13 attempts while committing seven penalties.

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