Gabriel throws 4 TD passes in victory

ORLANDO — If there was any uncertainty surrounding the UCF quarterback competition, Dillon Gabriel put it to rest after the true freshman threw three touchdown passes in the first quarter during the No. 17 Knights’ 45-27 win over Stanford on Saturday in front of an announced sellout crowd at Spectrum Stadium.

It was the second consecutive start for Gabriel, who led the Knights to a road win over FAU last week.

“It’s a big win for the program and the kids are excited about it,” Knights coach Josh Heupel said. “They’ll enjoy it tonight and move on to the next one.”

Brandon Wimbush, who started the season opener against Florida A&M, made a brief appearance in the first half on a second-and-goal.

Redshirt freshman Quadry Jones entered the game late in the fourth in a mop-up role.

Redshirt sophomore Darriel Mack Jr., who was cleared by team doctors earlier in the week after missing all of preseason camp and the first two weeks of the season while recovering from surgery on a broken ankle, didn’t see action.

UCF (3-0) extended its regularseason winning streak to 25 games dating to 2017. It was also the 17th consecutive home win for the Knights dating back to 2016.

Gabriel was 22 of 30 passing for

347 yards and four touchdowns. “I feel like we just did our job and that’s the main thing,” Gabriel said. “We stayed together as a unit, with everyone believing in each other, and it worked out.”

UCF jumped out to a 21-0 lead midway through the first quarter. After a Stanford (1-2) score, the Knights added another touchdown and extended their lead to

28-7. The score was 38-7 at intermission, with UCF amassing more than 400 yards in the first half.

Gabriel’s four touchdown passes went to different receivers. He became the first UCF quarterback to throw four touchdown passes in a game since McKenzie Milton did it against Pittsburgh on Sept. 29, 2018.

UCF tailback Greg McCrae finished with a season-high 109 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

It was McCrae’s first 100-yard rushing game since he rushed for

206 yards during the Knights’ victory over Memphis in the American Athletic Conference championship game on Dec. 1, 2018.

Aaron Robinson nearly gave UCF its first defensive touchdown of the season after intercepting a tipped pass from Stanford quarterback K.J. Costello on the second possession of the game for the Cardinal. Robinson appeared to find the end zone, but officials later determined that he had stepped out of bounds inside the

5-yard line.

McCrae scored on the next play, but for Robinson, who missed much of last season after suffering a concussion in the season opener against UConn, the opportunity to make an impact with a big early play meant a lot.

“Just thinking back on all the adversity I’ve been through, it made that pick feel a little bit more special for myself and for my teammates,” Robinson said.

It was the second takeaway by the Knights in as many weeks.

UCF travels to Pittsburgh next Saturday for a meeting with the Panthers.