As the AAC portion
A rising Knights defense faces strong Memphis offense
of the schedule arrives for unbeaten UCF, its close-knit defense is eager to build on the Knights’ early success and shut down Memphis’ potent offense.
UCF senior defensive lineman Jamiyus Pittman found himself engulfed by a sea of teammates, many of whom were slapping his helmet and shoulder pads in congratulations, after the 6-foot-tall defensive end registered his second sack against Maryland Saturday.
“It was a great feeling, but honestly I think I was happier when I saw Trysten’s [Hill] tackle for loss and when I saw Kyle Gibson’s interception,” Pittman said. “When they make plays, it makes me more excited than when I’m making plays.”
The Knights say that familyfirst mentality has helped UCF jump out to a 2-0 start.
It’s a bond that has only strengthened in the wake of Hurricane Irma, with many of players sharing close quarters while riding out the storm in dorms and later working sideby-side feeding members of the National Guard at Spectrum Stadium and filling hundreds of sandbags for residents in need.
“[We’re] very family-oriented as a unit,” said Mike Hughes, a late-arriving transfer from North Carolina who registered the team’s first defensive touchdown of the season on a 57-yard interception return.
“Everyone is playing as a unit.