Peach Bowl

The UCF Knights knock off Auburn and finish the season as the only undefeated team.

ATLANTA – Brandon “Bam”

Moore was extremely emotional after UCF defeated Auburn in the Peach Bowl. It was two-fold for the redshirt sophomore from Sanford. First came the emotion of being a part of a team that accomplished the biggest victory in school history to cap a brilliant 13-0 season.

More so, however, came the memory of his father, who died from gunshot wounds two summers ago as Moore was headed into his senior season at Seminole High. The victory not only meant the end to the season but it also meant Moore had to say goodbye to a man who had taken over an important father-figure role in Moore’s life.

UCF head coach Scott Frost will head off to Nebraska now and it was a bittersweet ending for Moore.

“Coach Frost is everything, man. I won the most-inspirational award last night and he told me I’m like one of his sons,” Moore said in the locker room afterward as he fought back tears. “That man is such a special dude. Nebraska players don’t know what they’re getting from that guy. He’s such a cool, nice dude. It’s more than football with Coach Frost. You can see why everybody is crying in the locker room. I don’t think we’ll ever come across a guy that cares so much about his players like he did.”

Burkett makes lasting impression

Chequan Burkett made sure one of his last plays as a UCF football player was a memorable one.

The senior linebacker almost quit football for good earlier this year after going home Alabama to help his wife Megan raise their two children. With her support, she encouraged him to finish his last season with the team. The move paid off. Burkett got his first career picksix six late in the fourth quarter to key a 34-20 advantage and seal UCF’s perfect 13-0 season. His pick came following Matt Wright’s blocked field goal attempt. Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham pushed the ball up the field 20 yards and was looking to cross over into UCF territory after Brandon

Moore’s was called for being offsides.

Burkett picked off Stidham and ran it back 45 yards to push the final nail in the Tigers’ coffin.

“Is anybody chasing me,” Burkett wondered following his pick. “I knew throughout the game I was probably gonna get one because they got us on their route at the beginning of the game and my DB spoke to me saying if you play inside, you’ll be able to get you one. I played it, listened to my teammate, I jumped the route and ran it to the house. That was a wonderful feeling.”

Money grab

UCF tight end Jordan Akins entered the Peach Bowl with some extra incentive to grab touchdowns against Auburn.

Akins was told he’d get $100 for every touchdown scored courtesy of his uncle. His older brother said the bet was wagered during Christmas dinner.

The Atlanta, Ga. Native entered the game with four touchdowns on the season.