We are a little over a month away game 1 vs FAMU, thanks to @Knightshift I am going to be re-watching all 13 games between now and then. Will be posting my notes from each game with a focus on what went right and what went wrong every drive for the offense and defense. Going to try and focus and not dwell on things like "I'm going to miss KZ, which I am."
Figured everyone else can use the week to re-watch the same game and add their own thoughts to the thread as well. Good way to re-live the season and maybe discover some new things and remember other moments.
Will try and focus on some of the players who will be returning and some of the younger ones who may have a bigger role.
If people remember there was real angst during this game we trailed 17-14 late 2nd half and there were criticisms of CJH and CRS. Some real TAKES back in this old thread, some stating no way we are making a NY6 and claiming FAU would win 10 games and average 40 points a game. (They went 3-5 in Conference USA) Along with some providing patience and those people were very right!
https://ucf.forums.rivals.com/threads/ucf-vs-fau-game-thread.66009/page-4
The offense did pretty much whatever they wanted, it did seem at time they were held back by interesting play-calling but KZ was dialed-in.
The defense was pretty bad, it mostly just came down to tackling the tackling was so BAD.
FAU Game
FAU Drive 1 First play Screen and Bam Moore blows it up, great play. 3rd down FAU runs screen sweep and it is blocked perfectly, first down. Then FAU tried to throw pop pass on play-action to TE. No was the QB saw PAT, threw it right to him, Pat made the play and had a nice return as well!.
UCF Drive 1 Play Action slant to Gabe, one of UCF’s most successful plays, whatever QB plays needs to be able to make that throw. A couple successful designed QB runs. Then a Zone read Milton keeps and walks into the end zone for 12 yards. 4 plays 40 yards 7-0 UCF
FAU Drive 2 You can see why Kerriith Whyte got drafted. 2 explosive returns and just looks quick. Also noticed Nate Evans was already getting time with the starters, made a nice play on Motor and looked good in coverage vs him. FAU does incredible job on QB pouch punt. Downs it inside the 10.
UCF Drive 2 AK gets stuffed on 2 straight runs up the middle. Sets up 3rd and long UCF gets a first on a PI call on FAU. Next play PA Bomb to Nixon and Milton justttttt misses him. Another 3rd down conversion, this was a pinpoint throw to Coulbs while being pressured. Then Staple CJH quick Play Action on-on-one Deep ball to Gabe who beats his man for about 40. Then easy TD to Snelson out of the slot. Runs a great Delay route, he is an excellent route runner out of the slot. Nice pump fake from KZ as well, cool play-design. Wyatt Miller was hurt on the play don’t think he returned.
FAU Drive 3 Special teams kickoff coverage was horrendous in this game. Stop them on first 3 plays, a Nice rush by Trysten Hill, then a nice Open field tackle by Gibson. Fau does another great pouch punt.
UCF Drive 3 Nice nifty run by Otis to start the drive. They then called Gab for blocking to early on the Pass to Snelson which is OPI, big penalty that put hem way behind the chains. 3rd and 3 KZ had Otis wide open to pick up the first, but incompletion was caused by #53 Hudianck got beat badly off the ball which killed the drive.
FAU Drive 4 We actually did a great job early vs Singletary, 3 straight runs for him cause a 4th and 4. B Hayes had some nice penetration on 2 of the plays. FAU then for the first time went to a normal punt formation and I remember screaming they were gonna watch the fake. They didn’t and FAU picked up 20+ to get the first. It was a really rough day for Nick Toth and his unit. Richie Grant is so good, made a great open-field tackle to prevent a big play. Then on 3rd down a missed tackle by SBB on the QB leads to a first down. More missed tackles on the QB then Joey Connors with a Facemask that gives FAU a first from inside the 15. On 3rd and 8 FAU runs a sweet counter draw for a TD. Basically fooled everyone on UCF. 14-7 UCF, all comes back to that Fake Punt.
UCF Drive 4 As great as AK is, his vision and patience and ability to press the hole is just not a good as McCrae’s. Should have had a huge run if he waited for block to set up, instead ran right into defender. Then on 3rd down JJ gets neat off the line which collapses the pocked, KZ tries to scramble and gets sacked. Mac gets bumped on the punt, flops fakes an injury with great comedy, but only gets the 5 yard penalty FAU ball.
FAu Drive 5 Bad missed tackle by Bam Moore, who didn’t wrap up Motor leads to a huge run. UCF is in Cover 3 and Clarke almost makes an insane one handed catch, great play. Leads to a 4th and 7 Easy slant for a first down, They put RB in motion, Mitchell #12 followed him which left his zone wide open for a Slant. UCF LB’s and corners struggled with communication on these plays all year. Especially Clarke. Then UCF bitten again by scrambling QB as Robison picks up huge gain. Then Moore misses another on-on one tackle vs Motor that leads to a TD. UCF Dline also could not get off any blocks this drive, notably Trysten Hill was not out there. 14-14
UCF Drive 5 UCF was forced into a 3rd down after they tried Play action bomb, but clearly no one was open KZ had to throw it away. Then on 3rd and 6 KZ threw a strike to COulbs. KZ was in the zone in this game, only times offense didn’t get things going I feel he was let down by play-calling and O-line. After an underwhelming AK run we had 4th and short, went for it (Which was the right call), but it was a bizzare play only 3rd and 3 and it seemed like KZ’s only real option was Coulbs over the middle, he scrambled and basically threw it away. However on 2nd look, Otis ran an option route and was open on the other side of the field. 3 straight stops for FAU
FAU Drive 6 This time Bam made a nice open field tackle on Motor, went low and tripped him up. Another QB run picks up first down although I kind of think he was short. Causey makes a nice play on first down to stop the designed run for a lost. Hayes had good penetration to force him outside as well. UCF gets a stop on 3rd and 12, but #12 Eric Mitchell with a terrible roughing the passer penalty to give them a First down, terrible play by him. 2 big edge rushes for FAU off the edge, UCF Dline getting blown of the ball. Titus not setting the edge. However on the next play him and Trysten blow the play up for a big loss. White then beats Pat to the edge for a pretty big gain, huge speed mismatch. FAU then has a 4th and 1 and UCF stuffs the QB sneak, but FAU gets bailed out by a Pre-snap penalty and gets to kick a FG shades of 2017 AAC championship vs Memphis. FG good 17-14 FAU
If people remember fans in here were PISSED at this point, go back and look at the game thread of this game, people were mad at both Shannon and CJH.
UCF Drive 6 Only 1:34 left in first half. We went 4 wide plus Otis at RB so almost 5 wide, which meant Marlon was n the game, he starts it of with a 9 yard catch. Then Snelson over the middle into FAU territory. Snelson over the middle again from the other side this time, down to the 21, then super fast tempo trips to the left. Fake the screen Marlon wide open over the middle, makes the safety miss TD. 5 plays 78 yards 1:03 21-17 UCF
FAU Drive 7 Tries to run Wildcat then QB throw and Bam Moore drops one of the easiest picks you will see after Causey crushed the QB, rough game for Bam. Jasinski fills in nicely for TFL on Motor.
UCF Drive NA One play 10 yard run end of half
2nd half UCF Drive 7 Olivia Dekker is very attractive. Nice throw on PA from KZ to Nixon over the middle out near midfield. Followed by a big play to Coulbs into FAU territory. Greg McCrae finally n the game, the running game hadn’t gotten going really in the first half. McCrae picked up a first down on a nice sweep with #53 pulling. On 2nd and goal really well designed QB draw for a TD, McCrae runs into the flat, KZ fakes it to him, middle of the field is wide open for a TD. Trevor Elbert made a nice block filling in for the injured Wyatt Miller on that drive 28-17 UCF
FAU Drive 8 Motor starts with a nasty cut on Clarke who had talked some shit before the game. B Hayes then made an excellent play to swim inside and stop Motor for a loss. 3rd and short and a great play by SBB to break up the pass to the flat to the TE, showing why he was initially recruited as a safety. PUNT
UCF Drive 8 Starts with Good Field position after a dumb penalty by FAU. Nice run by AK after Temp to pick up first down inside the 40. Another solid block by Trevor Elbert. Taj in the game and picked up 2 first downs on some real physical runs. Bad drop by Coulbs, he did have an issue with drops this year, 2nd one I have counted so far. Then highlight reel TD run by KZ, fakes the sweep good block by JJ then shakes two defenders, one of which was particularly nasty side step for the TD. Very quickly went from 14-17 to 35-17 UCF.
FAU Drive 9 Another big return for White. More zone coverage troubles for UCF linebackers, this time Pat allows a big play. Great run by Motor on 3rd down, again Bam Moore can’t bring him down. Bam then does make a really nice play to break up a pass, maybe could have picked it off, but would have been a very tough play. FAU runs a sweet play for a TD.Fake the sweep to white Robison steps up then throws it back to him on a wheel route for a TD, he is QUICK! Someone had him in man coverage, but bit on the fake, could not tell who. 35-23 UCF, 2 point conversion fails for FAU
UCF Drive 9 They KZ designed runs killed FAU, another big one for him out towards midfield followed by a 12 yd pass to Gabe. PI on Fau gets UCF in the red zone. Then comes a UCF CJH staple play. Tempo, Play Action Slant to Gabe TD on an RPO Who then proceeds to talk shit to the FAU defender which I love. 42-23 UCF
FAU Drive 10, you will never guess but another big return by White for FAU. On 3rd and 2 Trysten Hill destroys an Olineman and makes a TFL to force 4th down. FAU goes for it on 4th and 2, QB keeper for a first down. ERIC Mitchell completely losses his leverage overacts on the fake, Kyle Gibson still has a chance to bring him down the first down, but Robison is able to dive for the first down. Then on 3rd and long UCF in zone, Clarke should have had a pick but misreads the ball and gives up a huge play. Then FAU tries to run a similar play to the one they scored the TD on, but UCF is in man and #12 Eric Mitchell stays with the TE the ball is underthrown and he makes a nice play on the INT.
UCF Drive 10 Back to Back good Greg McCrae runs to end the 3rd quarter, 2nd one is perfect example of why he is good, patience presses the whole then accelerates for the first. Botched mess point, deflected pass end up derailing the drive around midfield.
FAU Drive 11 Big Motor run, where no one could get of their blocks, most notable Turnier #7 and Johnson #29. Richie Grant obliterates a man over the middle to break up the play initially gets called for targeting but it goes overturned as it should have. 3rd and 7 and FAU picks up first down in the slot after a Keenan Johnson missed tackle. Whyte shakes Gibson out of his shoes for a first down. Motor runs in another td, Luyanda did not set the edge, also may have been held. 42-29 UCF
UCF Drive 11 This I think was one of our longer drives of the season, we actually ran the play clock down and just ran the ball down FAU’s throat, killed their will. 12 plays 75 yards in 6 minutes.. They put Taj in the 2nd half of the drive and they just leaned on the FAU front 7. TD run was 6 yd TAJ run Big Cock Block from my boy Hescock and Elbert clear out the left side and FAU wanted no part of tackling Taj, very weak attempt to tackle him. TD 49-29
FAU Drive 12 Nice pressure by Luyanda forces an incompletion. 2nd down a nice play by Charlton to shed a block and get Whyte on the ground. Then on 3rd down Pick Six for SBB! UCF brought a blitz Gibson got his hands up deflected the Pass and a pretty nifty return by SBB 56-29 UCF
FAU Drive 13 Last Chance U star Deandre Johnson in for FAU! Pretty much kept it o the ground. On the big TD by White Charlton gets sealed pretty easily then Bam Moore misses another tackle, man he didn’t allow a catch in coverage, but a rough day for him, then White out-runs everyone. He is also very good. A couple guys who red-shirted Dyllon Lester and Jermaine McMillan were out there. 56-36.
UCF Run clock out not a completed drive
UCF 49 points on 12 possessions 4.0833 Pretty dominant number.
FAU 36 Points on 13 possessions 2.77 pretty bad, but not awful for the UCF defense, was nice to have 3 turnovers for the 3rd straight game and the Pick-6.
Yards Per Play
UCF 6.6
FAU 5.8
Figured everyone else can use the week to re-watch the same game and add their own thoughts to the thread as well. Good way to re-live the season and maybe discover some new things and remember other moments.
Will try and focus on some of the players who will be returning and some of the younger ones who may have a bigger role.
If people remember there was real angst during this game we trailed 17-14 late 2nd half and there were criticisms of CJH and CRS. Some real TAKES back in this old thread, some stating no way we are making a NY6 and claiming FAU would win 10 games and average 40 points a game. (They went 3-5 in Conference USA) Along with some providing patience and those people were very right!
https://ucf.forums.rivals.com/threads/ucf-vs-fau-game-thread.66009/page-4
The offense did pretty much whatever they wanted, it did seem at time they were held back by interesting play-calling but KZ was dialed-in.
The defense was pretty bad, it mostly just came down to tackling the tackling was so BAD.
FAU Game
FAU Drive 1 First play Screen and Bam Moore blows it up, great play. 3rd down FAU runs screen sweep and it is blocked perfectly, first down. Then FAU tried to throw pop pass on play-action to TE. No was the QB saw PAT, threw it right to him, Pat made the play and had a nice return as well!.
UCF Drive 1 Play Action slant to Gabe, one of UCF’s most successful plays, whatever QB plays needs to be able to make that throw. A couple successful designed QB runs. Then a Zone read Milton keeps and walks into the end zone for 12 yards. 4 plays 40 yards 7-0 UCF
FAU Drive 2 You can see why Kerriith Whyte got drafted. 2 explosive returns and just looks quick. Also noticed Nate Evans was already getting time with the starters, made a nice play on Motor and looked good in coverage vs him. FAU does incredible job on QB pouch punt. Downs it inside the 10.
UCF Drive 2 AK gets stuffed on 2 straight runs up the middle. Sets up 3rd and long UCF gets a first on a PI call on FAU. Next play PA Bomb to Nixon and Milton justttttt misses him. Another 3rd down conversion, this was a pinpoint throw to Coulbs while being pressured. Then Staple CJH quick Play Action on-on-one Deep ball to Gabe who beats his man for about 40. Then easy TD to Snelson out of the slot. Runs a great Delay route, he is an excellent route runner out of the slot. Nice pump fake from KZ as well, cool play-design. Wyatt Miller was hurt on the play don’t think he returned.
FAU Drive 3 Special teams kickoff coverage was horrendous in this game. Stop them on first 3 plays, a Nice rush by Trysten Hill, then a nice Open field tackle by Gibson. Fau does another great pouch punt.
UCF Drive 3 Nice nifty run by Otis to start the drive. They then called Gab for blocking to early on the Pass to Snelson which is OPI, big penalty that put hem way behind the chains. 3rd and 3 KZ had Otis wide open to pick up the first, but incompletion was caused by #53 Hudianck got beat badly off the ball which killed the drive.
FAU Drive 4 We actually did a great job early vs Singletary, 3 straight runs for him cause a 4th and 4. B Hayes had some nice penetration on 2 of the plays. FAU then for the first time went to a normal punt formation and I remember screaming they were gonna watch the fake. They didn’t and FAU picked up 20+ to get the first. It was a really rough day for Nick Toth and his unit. Richie Grant is so good, made a great open-field tackle to prevent a big play. Then on 3rd down a missed tackle by SBB on the QB leads to a first down. More missed tackles on the QB then Joey Connors with a Facemask that gives FAU a first from inside the 15. On 3rd and 8 FAU runs a sweet counter draw for a TD. Basically fooled everyone on UCF. 14-7 UCF, all comes back to that Fake Punt.
UCF Drive 4 As great as AK is, his vision and patience and ability to press the hole is just not a good as McCrae’s. Should have had a huge run if he waited for block to set up, instead ran right into defender. Then on 3rd down JJ gets neat off the line which collapses the pocked, KZ tries to scramble and gets sacked. Mac gets bumped on the punt, flops fakes an injury with great comedy, but only gets the 5 yard penalty FAU ball.
FAu Drive 5 Bad missed tackle by Bam Moore, who didn’t wrap up Motor leads to a huge run. UCF is in Cover 3 and Clarke almost makes an insane one handed catch, great play. Leads to a 4th and 7 Easy slant for a first down, They put RB in motion, Mitchell #12 followed him which left his zone wide open for a Slant. UCF LB’s and corners struggled with communication on these plays all year. Especially Clarke. Then UCF bitten again by scrambling QB as Robison picks up huge gain. Then Moore misses another on-on one tackle vs Motor that leads to a TD. UCF Dline also could not get off any blocks this drive, notably Trysten Hill was not out there. 14-14
UCF Drive 5 UCF was forced into a 3rd down after they tried Play action bomb, but clearly no one was open KZ had to throw it away. Then on 3rd and 6 KZ threw a strike to COulbs. KZ was in the zone in this game, only times offense didn’t get things going I feel he was let down by play-calling and O-line. After an underwhelming AK run we had 4th and short, went for it (Which was the right call), but it was a bizzare play only 3rd and 3 and it seemed like KZ’s only real option was Coulbs over the middle, he scrambled and basically threw it away. However on 2nd look, Otis ran an option route and was open on the other side of the field. 3 straight stops for FAU
FAU Drive 6 This time Bam made a nice open field tackle on Motor, went low and tripped him up. Another QB run picks up first down although I kind of think he was short. Causey makes a nice play on first down to stop the designed run for a lost. Hayes had good penetration to force him outside as well. UCF gets a stop on 3rd and 12, but #12 Eric Mitchell with a terrible roughing the passer penalty to give them a First down, terrible play by him. 2 big edge rushes for FAU off the edge, UCF Dline getting blown of the ball. Titus not setting the edge. However on the next play him and Trysten blow the play up for a big loss. White then beats Pat to the edge for a pretty big gain, huge speed mismatch. FAU then has a 4th and 1 and UCF stuffs the QB sneak, but FAU gets bailed out by a Pre-snap penalty and gets to kick a FG shades of 2017 AAC championship vs Memphis. FG good 17-14 FAU
If people remember fans in here were PISSED at this point, go back and look at the game thread of this game, people were mad at both Shannon and CJH.
UCF Drive 6 Only 1:34 left in first half. We went 4 wide plus Otis at RB so almost 5 wide, which meant Marlon was n the game, he starts it of with a 9 yard catch. Then Snelson over the middle into FAU territory. Snelson over the middle again from the other side this time, down to the 21, then super fast tempo trips to the left. Fake the screen Marlon wide open over the middle, makes the safety miss TD. 5 plays 78 yards 1:03 21-17 UCF
FAU Drive 7 Tries to run Wildcat then QB throw and Bam Moore drops one of the easiest picks you will see after Causey crushed the QB, rough game for Bam. Jasinski fills in nicely for TFL on Motor.
UCF Drive NA One play 10 yard run end of half
2nd half UCF Drive 7 Olivia Dekker is very attractive. Nice throw on PA from KZ to Nixon over the middle out near midfield. Followed by a big play to Coulbs into FAU territory. Greg McCrae finally n the game, the running game hadn’t gotten going really in the first half. McCrae picked up a first down on a nice sweep with #53 pulling. On 2nd and goal really well designed QB draw for a TD, McCrae runs into the flat, KZ fakes it to him, middle of the field is wide open for a TD. Trevor Elbert made a nice block filling in for the injured Wyatt Miller on that drive 28-17 UCF
FAU Drive 8 Motor starts with a nasty cut on Clarke who had talked some shit before the game. B Hayes then made an excellent play to swim inside and stop Motor for a loss. 3rd and short and a great play by SBB to break up the pass to the flat to the TE, showing why he was initially recruited as a safety. PUNT
UCF Drive 8 Starts with Good Field position after a dumb penalty by FAU. Nice run by AK after Temp to pick up first down inside the 40. Another solid block by Trevor Elbert. Taj in the game and picked up 2 first downs on some real physical runs. Bad drop by Coulbs, he did have an issue with drops this year, 2nd one I have counted so far. Then highlight reel TD run by KZ, fakes the sweep good block by JJ then shakes two defenders, one of which was particularly nasty side step for the TD. Very quickly went from 14-17 to 35-17 UCF.
FAU Drive 9 Another big return for White. More zone coverage troubles for UCF linebackers, this time Pat allows a big play. Great run by Motor on 3rd down, again Bam Moore can’t bring him down. Bam then does make a really nice play to break up a pass, maybe could have picked it off, but would have been a very tough play. FAU runs a sweet play for a TD.Fake the sweep to white Robison steps up then throws it back to him on a wheel route for a TD, he is QUICK! Someone had him in man coverage, but bit on the fake, could not tell who. 35-23 UCF, 2 point conversion fails for FAU
UCF Drive 9 They KZ designed runs killed FAU, another big one for him out towards midfield followed by a 12 yd pass to Gabe. PI on Fau gets UCF in the red zone. Then comes a UCF CJH staple play. Tempo, Play Action Slant to Gabe TD on an RPO Who then proceeds to talk shit to the FAU defender which I love. 42-23 UCF
FAU Drive 10, you will never guess but another big return by White for FAU. On 3rd and 2 Trysten Hill destroys an Olineman and makes a TFL to force 4th down. FAU goes for it on 4th and 2, QB keeper for a first down. ERIC Mitchell completely losses his leverage overacts on the fake, Kyle Gibson still has a chance to bring him down the first down, but Robison is able to dive for the first down. Then on 3rd and long UCF in zone, Clarke should have had a pick but misreads the ball and gives up a huge play. Then FAU tries to run a similar play to the one they scored the TD on, but UCF is in man and #12 Eric Mitchell stays with the TE the ball is underthrown and he makes a nice play on the INT.
UCF Drive 10 Back to Back good Greg McCrae runs to end the 3rd quarter, 2nd one is perfect example of why he is good, patience presses the whole then accelerates for the first. Botched mess point, deflected pass end up derailing the drive around midfield.
FAU Drive 11 Big Motor run, where no one could get of their blocks, most notable Turnier #7 and Johnson #29. Richie Grant obliterates a man over the middle to break up the play initially gets called for targeting but it goes overturned as it should have. 3rd and 7 and FAU picks up first down in the slot after a Keenan Johnson missed tackle. Whyte shakes Gibson out of his shoes for a first down. Motor runs in another td, Luyanda did not set the edge, also may have been held. 42-29 UCF
UCF Drive 11 This I think was one of our longer drives of the season, we actually ran the play clock down and just ran the ball down FAU’s throat, killed their will. 12 plays 75 yards in 6 minutes.. They put Taj in the 2nd half of the drive and they just leaned on the FAU front 7. TD run was 6 yd TAJ run Big Cock Block from my boy Hescock and Elbert clear out the left side and FAU wanted no part of tackling Taj, very weak attempt to tackle him. TD 49-29
FAU Drive 12 Nice pressure by Luyanda forces an incompletion. 2nd down a nice play by Charlton to shed a block and get Whyte on the ground. Then on 3rd down Pick Six for SBB! UCF brought a blitz Gibson got his hands up deflected the Pass and a pretty nifty return by SBB 56-29 UCF
FAU Drive 13 Last Chance U star Deandre Johnson in for FAU! Pretty much kept it o the ground. On the big TD by White Charlton gets sealed pretty easily then Bam Moore misses another tackle, man he didn’t allow a catch in coverage, but a rough day for him, then White out-runs everyone. He is also very good. A couple guys who red-shirted Dyllon Lester and Jermaine McMillan were out there. 56-36.
UCF Run clock out not a completed drive
UCF 49 points on 12 possessions 4.0833 Pretty dominant number.
FAU 36 Points on 13 possessions 2.77 pretty bad, but not awful for the UCF defense, was nice to have 3 turnovers for the 3rd straight game and the Pick-6.
Yards Per Play
UCF 6.6
FAU 5.8
