UCF’s road only gets tougher
After Louisville, plenty of challenging AAC matchups await Knights
Friday’s game between UCF and Louisville wasn’t finished in time for this edition. Go to orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights for full coverage.
While most of the focus is on UCF’s first away game against Louisville, the remainder of the season brings more tough road matchups in the American Athletic Conference for the Knights.
In fact, UCF’s four remaining road opponents have a combined 5-3 record through the first two weeks. Compare that to the 3-8 combined record of UCF’s five remaining home opponents, the Knights don’t have any vacations planned in conference play.
Playing on the road means handling a rowdy atmosphere for the Knights, which is something redshirt senior offensive lineman Cole Schneider loves.
“It comes with the territory,” Schneider said. “We’ve had two home games so far, they’re cheering us on. It’s time to go on the road and hear the boos. Fight the adversity. We’re ready for that challenge.”
Following a bye week after Louisville, UCF travels north to face Navy on Oct. 2. Although the Knights are 2-0 in this all-time series, the Midshipmen often have put up a fight running the triple-option offense. In 2017, UCF won in Annapolis 31-21 but led by just three early in the fourth quarter.
Navy is 0-2 this year. Cincinnati has yet to lose. The Bearcats are ranked No. 8 in the country, averaging 45.5 points a game. Senior quarterback Desmond Ridder has completed 72% of his passes and thrown for six touchdowns in two games.
This game will have massive implications on the race to host and potentially win the AAC championship, with the Bearcats entering as the favorite. UCF is picked to finish second. The Knights are 1-19 all-time against ranked teams on the road.
After winning three straight over the Bearcats from 2016-18, UCF has dropped the past two meetings, including a 27-24 loss at Nippert Stadium in 2019. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel threw three interceptions.
UCF will then host Memphis before traveling to Philadelphia to take on Temple.
This is likely the easiest road game for the Knights, who have won four straight over the Owls while averaging nearly 50 points per game.
In the eight-game history between the two programs, Temple only has won at home once, 30-16, in 2015.
November is a favorable month for UCF as it only leaves the state once. SMU hosts UCF on Nov. 13 for a showdown in Dallas. SMU hasn’t lost this year, averaging 45.5 points a game. UCF only has lost once on the road to the Mustangs, 38-17, in 2011.
SMU tends to be a strong road opponent with the last two games in Texas being decided by seven points or less.
Add in the cooler temperatures in mid-November and this matchup could have a big impact on the conference race down the line.
“There’s going to be a lot of noise,” Schneider said. “We have to be able to hone in on snap counts, hone in on calls. We just need to focus on communication once we go on the road.”