Knights defense has more than enough

Unit down four starters but plays its ‘best’

A short-handed UCF defense stepped up in a big way, shutting down Houston and preserving a

44-21 road win Saturday. The Knights (4-2, 3-2 AAC) forced twoturnoversandheld the

Cougars(2-2, 1-1AAC) toa seasonlowinpoints whilehandingthem their first conference loss.

“I thought itwas the best defensive effort of the season,” UCF coachJoshHeupel said. “I told the guys that in the locker room. The turnoverswere big – Eriq Gilyard early in the game and Richie [Grant] in the fourth quarter.”

The UCF defense entered the game ranked next-to-last in the league in total defense, allowing

33 points and 482 yards pergame. UCF was without four starters on defense, with defensive tackle Kenny Turnier, defensive end Randy Charlton, linebacker Erik Mitchell and defensive back Antwan Collier all missing the trip. Injureddefensive backBrandonMoore also did not travelwith the team, according to a source.

Collierwas arrested bycampus policeThursdayandchargedwith carrying a concealedfirearmwithout a license and driving with a suspended or revoked license, according toOrangeCounty court records.

Thesource declined toconfirm the players’ absenceswere related to a traffic stop early Thursday morning involving nine players that culminated with Collier’s arrest.

“I’m really proud of the guys playing through adversity this week, it was a little bit different than anything we’ve faced recently,” Heupel said in response to playingwithout four starters.

Added quarterback Dillon Gabriel, “I’m really proud of each and every guy that just came in and acted like it was their time. I’m super happy for those guys.”

UCF’s defense didn’t allow a point and gave up just 185 yards through the first half. The Cougars’ only points were the result of a 34-yard fumble return by linebacker Grant Stuard, who scooped up the football following a sack ofDillon Gabriel late in the first quarter.

The Knights sacked quarterback Clayton Tune three times in the first half and posted five tackles for loss.

Safety Richie Grant and defensive linemen Cam Goode and NoahHancockall registeredsacks through the first 30minutes.

“It was absolute domination,” said Grant, who recorded his first career sack. “Exactly what we asked fromeach other during the week in our preparation to go out here on Saturday. Sure, we made some mistakes but at the end of the day it was exactly what we asked for.”

The defense also forced a takeaway for the seventh consecutive game when linebacker Eriq Gilyard ripped the ball out of the handsof aHoustonreceiverwhen the Cougars were deep in UCF territory.

Grant added an interception in the fourth quarter, his thirdof the season and the 10th of his career.

Houston scored its first offensive points of the game midway through the third quarter when running back Kyle Porter dove into theendzonetocut the lead to

23-13. TheCougarscameupshort on a two-point conversion.

UCF’s offense continued its hot start, amassing 358 yards in the first half led by Gabriel, who becamethe eighth quarterback in school history to throw for 6,000 career passing yards.

ButwhileGabrielopenedthings up by passing for 255 yards in the first half, the sophomore struggled in the third quarter. At one point, hethrewsevenconsecutive incomplete passes. Gabriel spent much of the game under duress andwas sacked a season-high six times. Three of those sacks came on third downs.

The six sacks were the most sacks since Gabriel was sacked six times during a loss toTulsa on Nov. 8, 2019.

The Knights rushed for a season-high 353 yards led by Otis Anderson, who finished with a season-high 170 yards and a touchdown.

Bentavious Thompson (87 yards) and Greg McCrae (107 yards) both added rushing touchdowns.

UCF finished with 681 yards of offense, the fifth time the Knights have crossed the 600-yardthreshold this season.