Frost: UCF's Loss Against Pittsburgh Was Team's First Test
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After a 73-6 bludgeoning in Week 1, UCF suffered it's first loss of the season against Pittsburgh on the road last Saturday.
The offense sputtered, managing just one touchdown in the rainy terrain, and falling 12-7 to extend the program's road-losing streak to ten.
But, head coach Scott Frost feels like this game will pay dividends for the Knights as they inch closer to Big 12 play.
"I think that was a really good road test for us against a team that I think is gonna do really well in the ACC," Frost said on Wednesday. "And I think if we'd have played the same type of game 12 months ago, we'd have got beat pretty bad."
The differences from Frost's first year back with the program compared to this one have been stark, with UCF's bench boss frequently talking about a raised level of expectations and facilities around the facilities.
Entering a game against Georgia State, where the Knights are heavily favored, Frost is looking to put good film on tape.
"I think our biggest improvement's got to come after game two now, because we didn't get tested in game one," Frost added.
Of course, the level of play from Bethune-Cookman to Pittsburgh is going to be very different, and UCF found that out the hard way.
In Week 1, the Knights ran rampant, rushing for 360 yards and seven touchdowns.
But, against the Panthers, UCF averaged less than one yard per carry, running the ball just 22 times total.
UCF's offensive line struggled against Pitt's beefy interior, and failed to give the Knights' backs many holes to run through.
Speedy tailback Duke Watson was limited to just six carries for 10 yards, which is not a recipe for success going forward.
As one of the more explosive players on the offense, Watson needs the ball in his hands more.
In Week 1, the Louisville transfer took his first touch as a member of UCF to the house, bursting free for a long score.
Georgia State is susceptible to giving up big plays, surrendering a 61-yard score in Week 1, and allowing multiple 40-yard receptions against Kennesaw State.
With starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III sidelined for this Saturday, expect Frost to lean on the run game early and often, while setting up shot plays for whoever is taking snaps.
Right now, it seems that Keyone "Lights Out" Jenkins will get the nod to start on Saturday, but as UCF's history suggests, multiple QBs could see action.
UCF looks to bounce back against Georgia State Saturday at 7:00 p.m. from the Bounce House.
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