UCF touts rally over TCU as one of ‘best’ wins

Dave Wilson, ESPN Personnel WriterSep 15, 2024, 01:42 AM ET Close Dave Wilson is a college football reporter. He previously worked at The Dallas Early Morning News, San Diego Union-Tribune and Las Vegas Sun.FORT WORTH, Texas– Gus Malzahn’s transformation at UCF passed a frenetic very first Huge 12 test Saturday night as the Knights rallied from 21 points down in the 3rd quarter to beat TCU 35-34. UCF didn’t lead up until 36 seconds were left in the game,

when KJ Jefferson, among 50 new players in the program this season, tossed a 20-yard strike to Kobe Hudson, who took a shot on the play at the goal line however hung on to the ball.”He simply kept stating,’Just give me a

shot, give me a shot. I know I’m going to make the play,'” Jefferson stated of Hudson.Added Hudson: “That is the best win I ever had in my life.

” Malzahn ranked it at the top of his four-year UCF

profession, comparing it to his first season when the Knights installed a 21-point comeback to beat Boise State.Editor’s Picks 2 Related “The difference is we were on

the roadway [versus TCU], and this was an extremely gifted group,”Malzahn said.TCU’s Josh Hoover threw for 402 yards and four goals, finishing 35 of 52 passes with his main target, Jack Bech, catching 9 passes for 200 lawns, consisting of a 50-yard touchdown early in the third quarter to offer the Horned Frogs a 28-7 lead.UCF streamlined its offense in the 2nd half, according to Malzahn, to focus on feeding RJ Harvey,

the Knights’All-Big 12 back who ran for 1,416 yards last season. Harvey ended up with 29 brings for 180 backyards and 2 goals and likewise caught one pass for 29 yards and another rating.”He is among the very best backs in college football, “Malzahn stated.”I believe weekly he’s proven that.”UCF finished 2-4 on the roadway last

year in its first year in the Huge 12, part of a 6-7 season. Malzahn said he wanted to find a veteran

quarterback to action in this year and Saturday’s outcome was why he desired his offense to run through the hands of Jefferson. The QB stated he was in pain from a crash on the second drive however declined to come out of the game.” I believe you just saw it,”Malzahn stated.” He’s a veteran guy. He didn’t flinch and he was real favorable. I indicate he wasn’t healthy, guys. He’s a ruffian.

“ UCF wideout Kobe Hudson, right, celebrates his late touchdown catch and called Saturday night’s win the very best of his life. AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez The game’s drama lasted up until the clock ended. Initially, the Knights needed to kick the winning extra point, which wasn’t an offered, thinking about TCU obstructed 3 kicks in the game– two basket attempts and an extra point attempt. After Colton Boomer delivered, TCU got the ball back and drove to the UCF 40, where real freshman kicker Kyle Lemmermann attempted a 58-yard field goal as the last seconds checked off the clock. The kick had the distance but missed out on wide to the right.Jefferson stated he had his face covered attempting to prevent viewing the kick.” Coach Malzahn strolled by me and said, ‘Reveal your face and view it, we have actually got this won already. Let’s prepare yourself to enjoy the minute

,'”Jefferson said.UCF is 3-0 heading into a bye week, with Colorado up next in Orlando, Florida, on Sept. 28. In a wide-open Huge 12 race, the Knights hope the self-confidence from the comeback win carries over.” We’ll carry this the rest of the year and we’ll go

down fighting,”Malzahn stated.”We will believe at the end.”