Making the Grade:Bears Maul Knights 30-3

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There was plenty of buzz with UCF Knights Football coming out of the bye that they would have a shot at beating the Baylor Bears. That is not what happened as the Knights were mauled by the Bears 30-2 in a fourth Big 12 loss.

Special Teams: C

Return coverage was decent for UCF, but the punting from Anthony Venneri was only about average. On four attempts he averaged 34.3 with none landing inside the 20.

Kicker Now Ruelas booted in a 45-yarder, but missed a 53-yard try.

Defense:

It was a frustrating start on the opening drive of the game for UCF. The Bears were forced to 3rd down three times — twice with 3rd and long. Yet, UCF was losing by seven before the offense took the field. Then, as the best passing defense in the conference heading into the contest, they gave up a second passing touchdown in as many drives — (and nearly three, which was dropped by Josh Cameron, who had already hauled in a score before that point.)

This wasn’t to say the defense didn’t make any plays throughout the day. They finished the game with nine tackles for loss. Malachi Lawrence also forced a fumble that was recovered by Derrick Leblanc which set up the UCF field goal (the only points in the game) to make the halftime score, 20-3. Leblanc left the game in the fourth quarter with an injury.

Offense: F

Throughout the day, it felt like the Knights were panicking when they had the ball. How much of that was being down on the scoreboard before ever taking a snap with the ball? How much of that was desperation to turn the homecoming win into the first winning streak in conference play? There’s no telling, but the only certainty was that nothing was working.

The Bears’ defense was seen as a liability against the run, and the first four offensive plays were passes. On run plays, they are trying direct snaps to the running back that were fumbled and “tricky passes” with eligible offensive linemen running routes on a 4th and 1.

It had the feel of a pasta chef throwing things against the wall, hoping for something to stick — and then it got worse in the 4th quarter when UCF quarterback Tayvon Jackson threw two interceptions.

Tayven Jackson started at quarterback as predicted, finishing his day throwing for 151 yards on 18 completed passes in 33 attempts with no touchdowns and two interceptions.

Myles Montgomery finished with 50 rushing yards on 12 carries, and Duane Thomas Jr. posted eight catches for 77 yards receiving.

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