Knights expect Memphis to try everything to win
UCF hopes to bounce back from loss against Tulsa
The UCF football team is back on the road again facing an elimination game of sorts against one of its toughest competitors in Memphis.
The Knights return to the Liberty Bowl, the site of one of the program’s most memorable wins in recent history.
The last time UCF traveled to
Memphis, quarterback McKenzie Milton sparked a furious second-half comeback and led the Knights to a 31-30 win on Oct. 13, 2018. The two teams met again seven weeks later in Orlando in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game during which Darriel Mack Jr., playing in place of injured Milton, rallied the Knights during another second-half comeback en route to a 56-41 win.
The teams have combined to earn the Group of 5 spot in the New Year’s Six Access Bowl during the past three seasons (UCF 2017-18, Memphis 2019).
The loser of this year’s UCF-Memphis showdown will be eliminated from Access Bowl consideration.
“Expect the unexpected,” UCF redshirt junior cornerback Zamari Maxwell said. “It’s really prepping for war because you have to expect the unexpected with Memphis.”
UCF (2-1, 1-1 AAC) is looking to bounce back following a disappointing loss to Tulsa on Oct. 10. Mistakes hurt the Knights, who committed 18 penalties — including 11 false starts — as the Golden Hurricane rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit to hand the
Knights their first home loss since 2016.
Memphis (1-1, 0-1 AAC) opened the season against Arkansas State on Sept. 5, but the Tigers had to shut down football activities soon after when players tested positive for COVID-19. Three weeks later, the Tigers were back on the field, losing a 30-27 heartbreaker to SMU after the Mustangs hit a late field goal.
UCF has won 13 consecutive games in the series, including a pair of conference championships. As a result, the Knights
expect to get Memphis’ best shot when the game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The contest will air nationally on ABC (WFTV-9).
“We’re definitely aware of it, but we’re going to prepare for Memphis as we prepare for every other team with the same focus and the same mentality,” UCF receiver Jacob Harris said. “We know what’s at stake going into this game and we’re fired up to get out there and have a shot at Memphis.”
Memphis quarterback Brady White struggled during two games against UCF in 2018, completing 58% (34 of 58) of his pass attempts for 387 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. He added a rushing touchdown during the regular-season game.
But the past means nothing to UCF senior safety Richie Grant, who expects a strong effort from White.
“He knows how to manage the game and how to get the ball to his weapons,” said Grant, who recorded12 tackles the last time the Knights played in Memphis. “He’s a good QB and one of the top QBs in the conference and we can’t underestimate him.”
Memphis ranks last in the conference in passing defense, allowing nearly 387 yards per game. During the loss to SMU, the team was shredded for 474 yards and three touchdowns by Mustangs quarterback Shane Buechele.
First-year Tigers coach Ryan Silverfield, the assistant who took over after former coach Mike Norvell left for Florida State, knows the challenge his team faces trying to stop UCF and quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
“Speed, speed, speed,”
Silverfield said. “They play fast on offense. … Their quarterback is dynamic and I think he’s one of the best in the country. I think he’s got a strong arm and he’s accurate. He’s not afraid to run either. “
Gabriel is second in the country in passing yards per game (385) and second in the AAC in passing yards (1,155) and passing touchdowns (9).
The Knights don’t expect this matchup to be easy.
“The first thing that pops out on tape is they play hard,” UCF quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle said. “They fly around, and they’ll hit you. Just like always whenever UCF and Memphis play, it’s physical, it’s four quarters, it’s 60 minutes and the two teams are knocking each other around the entire game.”