TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Alec Holler made a leaping, one-handed catch for a landing on a 14-yard go from Mikey Keene with 20 seconds remaining to lead No. 25 UCF to a 46-39 win over South Florida on Saturday night time and earn a spot within the American Athletic Conference championship game.
“That was a wild catch, wasn’t it?” UCF coach Gus Malzahn mentioned. “That’s a play we’ve been working on for about four-five weeks. We almost called it two plays earlier. That’s the kind of play that wins championships.”
Keene accomplished a 41-yard go to Javon Baker for a primary down on the South Florida 29. Keene added a 10-yard run on a keeper to get the ball to the Bulls’ 15 and arrange Holler’s leaping, twisting game-winning seize for UCF (9-3, 6-2 AAC).
“I definitely knew I had caught, and when I peeked over at the scoreboard and saw my foot kind of dragged,” Holler mentioned. “So I knew it was good.”
South Florida (1-11, 0-8) acquired the ball to the UCF 32, however the Bulls’ last-ditch try went out of the top zone.
UCF will play at No. 19 Tulane (10-2, 7-1) within the AAC title game on Saturday.
The Knights scored on their first 4 possessions of the game to take a 28-0 lead halfway by way of the second quarter. But South Florida stormed again, scoring 22 factors in a 3:44 span of the third quarter to pull inside 31-29, forcing two turnovers to arrange touchdowns.
“We were in control of the game in the first half, really in control,” Malzahn mentioned. “I think we turned the ball over on back-to-back plays and we had three turnovers in the second half. We didn’t play our best defensively and still found a way to win.”
South Florida even took a 39-38 lead with 7:02 remaining within the game when Bulls quarterback Byrum Brown reeled off a 42-yard TD run off an possibility keeper.
“These young men battled their tails off,” South Florida interim coach Daniel Da Prato mentioned. “I hurt for being so close. I’m just so damn proud to be a Bull.”
The Knights answered with a 13-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Keene throwing a 4-yard landing to Kobe Hudson to make it 38-29. Keene was 15 of 19 for 129 yards and two touchdowns.
“I’m proud of our guys for their resilience for the adversity that happened throughout the game,” Keene mentioned. “Rivalry games are never (easy).”
UCF beginning quarterback John Rhys Plumlee had eight carries for 133 yards and a landing earlier than he left the game with a pulled hamstring. He was additionally 9-for-9 passing for 73 yards and a landing.
Brown threw for 140 yards and rushed for 109 and a landing. Brian Battie rushed for 144 yards and two touchdowns for the Bulls.
COMEBACK KEENE
For the second time this season Keene got here off the bench to lead UCF to a late game-winning landing. Keene mentioned he attracts off the expertise of getting 10 begins final season and getting ready like a starter. “It’s all a mentality, in my opinion,” Keene mentioned. “John and I have a great relationship. We talk throughout the week and prepare together.”
THE END OF THE WAR … FOR NOW
With UCF heading into the Big 12 subsequent season the “War on I-4” between the 2 faculties will probably be on hiatus. The collection began in 2005 and had a four-year hole between 2009 and 2013 earlier than it was restarted. The earliest the collection may probably resume is 2026, when each groups have a gap of their non-conference schedule.
THE TAKEAWAY
UCF: Plumlee’s well being will probably be an enormous issue going into subsequent week’s AAC title in opposition to No. 19 Tulane in New Orleans. Keene’s expertise coming off the bench proved key to one other late win for the Knights. UCF, which received six straight in opposition to rival USF, will head to the Big 12 subsequent season.
South Florida: The Bulls will announce their new head coach Monday after Jeff Scott was fired on Nov. 6. Whoever takes over may inherit some younger expertise on offense, particularly Brown — so long as he and others resolve not to enter the switch portal.
UP NEXT
UCF: Will play at No. 19 Tulane (10-2, 7-1) within the AAC (*25*) Game subsequent Saturday
South Florida: Season is over.
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