Latest statement game for Knights
The No. 14 UCF football team’s season opener at Georgia Tech on Saturday appears to be another statement game opportunity for the Knights.
It looks like another opportunity to tout the program’s recent success on a national scale, with the Knights and the Yellow Jackets facing off in a game airing at 3:30 p.m. on ABC (WFTV-Channel 9).
Yet there’s more on the line than bragging rights against a Power 5 opponent.
During a season overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic, Saturday’s contest at Bobby Dodd Stadium is the first time UCF players and coaches have had a chance to play a game since late December.
“The guys are really excited to go play,” said UCF coach Josh Heupel, who enters his third season leading the Knights. “It’s been a long journey, a long process to get to this point, and now we actually get to go play this thing.
“First game out there is a lot of excitement and probably some nerves from some of our guys as well, but let’s go play ball and have some fun.”
UCF opens the season on the road for the first time since 2018, with the team looking to extend its streak of winning four consecutive openers.
The Knights return numerous starters from a 2019 team that won 10 games. UCF’s offense has been ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring and total offense for three consecutive seasons.
“They do as good of a job as anybody in the country in pushing the tempo,” Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Andrew Thacker said of UCF. “When people think about their offense, they probably get stigmatized with explosive skill players and the big sexy plays. But they’re a physical bunch and part of that is they’re very good on the offensive line.
“The Power 5 of Group of 5 or whatever that means, that doesn’t hold true for this UCF team.”
Added Tech defensive back Zamari Walton, “I think it’s going to be a big test this week. I think we just have to come to do what we have to do to get the job done and not overthink it.”
Georgia Tech (1-0, 1-0 ACC) is coming off an upset win at Florida State last week. The Yellow Jackets capitalized on three turnovers and overcame three blocked kicks to earn their second consecutive win in the series with the Seminoles.
Georgia Tech quarterback Jeff Sims looked impressive in his first collegiate start, going 23 of 34 passing for 277 yards and a touchdown. He also led the team in rushing with 64 yards on 13 carries and became the first true freshman to lead Tech to a win in a season opener.
UCF coaches are familiar with Sims, whom they targeted in recruiting when he played at Sandalwood High in Jacksonville.
“I thought Jeff played really well the other night,” Heupel said. “I thought he was smart in his decision-making besides a few critical ones down in the red zone area, but I thought he managed the game really well for his first time being out on the field.
“I think it’s critical for us that we create negative plays and put them into third-and-long situations and try to put him in uncomfortable situations.”
Sims was 5 of 7 passing for 48 yards on third downs against FSU, with one of his two interceptions coming on a third-and-13 during the team’s opening drive.
UCF junior linebacker Eriq Gilyard, who also grew up in Jacksonville and attended Trinity Christian Academy, is familiar with Sims.
“He’s very good with his feet and I think Florida State did a pretty good job in the first half containing him, but the second half he had some plays where he made things happen with his feet,” Gilyard said. “We just have to stick to our assignments and do our job and everything will manage itself and we’ll be good.”