UCF hopes to add another milestone against rival Cincinnati
When UCF and Cincinnati were members of the American Athletic Conference, neither school felt there was much of a rivalry between the two.
UCF already had a natural in-state rivalry with USF that was fueled by years of bad blood regarding realignment. Later, there would be a pseudo-rivalry with Memphis that lasted several seasons as the two battled for AAC supremacy from 2017-18.
But when UCF moved to the Big 12 this summer, those rivalries quietly disappeared, leaving the program without one.
Enter Cincinnati (2014, ’20-21), which, along with UCF (’13-’14, ’17-’18), had captured at least a share of seven AAC titles during the past decade.
The two schools have played several classic games:
In ’18, then-No. 11 UCF hosted No. 19 Cincinnati, drawing ESPN’s College GameDay to campus for the first time. The Knights would run away with a 38-13 win on their way to an AAC title and a berth in a New Year’s Six Access Bowl.
In ’19, Cincinnati would upset then-No. 18 UCF, 27-24.
In ’20, then-No. 11 Cincinnati scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to rally past host UCF, 36-33. The Bearcats would win a conference title and a spot in a New Year’s Six Access Bowl.
In ’22, Mikey Keene would lead a second-half comeback as RJ Harvey scored with 48 seconds left as UCF upset then-No. 20 Cincinnati, 25-21 at FBC Mortgage Stadium.
“There’s been some big-time games in the last few years,” said UCF coach Gus Malzahn. “Our players look forward to playing this one. Last year, there was a great atmosphere and a good one for us.”
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UCF (3-5, 0-5 Big 12) and Cincinnati (2-6, 0-5 Big 12) are searching for their first conference win Saturday, giving this game an extra meaning.
“I’m surprised that we’ve lost five in a row. That’s the only thing that’s really on my mind,” said Malzahn.
Coaches: Malzahn, 3rd season at UCF, 21-14 (98-42 overall); Scott Satterfield, 1st season at Cincinnati, 2-6 (78-54 overall).
Quick slant: This is the ninth overall meeting between the two, with the series split 4-4. … UCF has lost two straight road games in this series and last won at Nippert Stadium in 2017 when McKenzie Milton threw four first-half touchdowns as the Knights jumped out to a 37-16 halftime lead before cruising to a 51-23 win.
About UCF (3-5, 0-5 Big 12): Quarterback John Rhys Plumlee needs to shake off his worst outing of the season after throwing 3 interceptions and fumbling late against West Virginia. The good news is he rushed for 45 yards, which was the highest total since returning from a right knee injury that forced him to miss three games. … Running back RJ Harvey put together his third straight 100-plus yard rushing performance against WVU last week. He’s the first Knight since Latavius Murray (2012) to rush for 100 yards in three consecutive games.
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About Cincinnati (2-6, 0-5 Big 12): Emory Jones leads all Big 12 quarterbacks in rushing with 441 yards. The Florida transfer also ranks seventh in the conference in passing yards (1,601). …Running back Corey Kiner ranks eighth in the conference in rushing yards (642), while teammate Myles Montgomery (357 yards) averages 7 yards per carry. …Malik Vann is the top-rated edge rusher in the Big 12, according to Pro Football Focus, with the sixth-year defensive end earning an 81 grade.
3 things to watch
Stopping the run. The inability to stop the run has been a recurring theme with UCF. The Knights are allowing an average of 261 yards and nearly four touchdowns per game on the ground against conference opponents. Cincinnati is sixth nationally in rushing yards (222), with the Bearcats running for 200-plus yards in six of their eight games, including 288 against Baylor and 277 against Oklahoma State.
Take care of the football. UCF has been careless, giving up 14 turnovers, including a season-high four in the loss to West Virginia last week. Nine of the 14 miscues have been interceptions thrown by Plumlee (7) or Timmy McClain (2). The Knights have lost the turnover battle in six of their eight games.
Win the fourth quarter. While the Knights have started strong in many games, they’ve been unable to put together four quarters, particularly in conference play. They’ve been outscored 84-34 in the fourth during this five-game losing streak and 104-64 for the season.
Where: Nippert Stadium
When: 3:30 p.m.
TV: FS1; Radio: AM 740/FM 96.9 The Game, SiriusXM Ch. 382
Weather: 62 degrees, 1% rain chance
Favorite: UCF by 4 points
Online: orlandosentinel.com/ucf-knights; @osmattmurschel on Twitter.
