Can FAU knock off No. 16 UCF in Orlando?
Lane Kiffin takes his Florida Atlantic (2-1) football team to Central Florida (2-0) Friday night for an ESPN nationally-televised game against the No. 16 ranked Knights.
A victory for FAU would go a long way in validating Kiffin’s quest to turn the Owls into a top 25 team and it would give the program its signature win.
A loss would send FAU back to focusing on the goal of defending its Conference USA title against against the likes of division foe Marshall (2-0) and markedly-improved North Texas – which blasted Arkansas on the road Saturday, 44-17.
UCF is coming of that banner 2017 undefeated (13-0) season.
The Knights – who have won at UConn (56-17) and at home vs. South Carolina State (38-0) – had their game cancelled Saturday at North Carolina because of Hurricane Florence.
Some will say the off week would help UCF, while others would argue FAU’s extra game experience would be a plus.
Either way, you can count on Kiffin to push the Owls’ offense as far as it will go. And if FAU can get another 5-touchdown performance from running Devin Singletary, it just might pull off the upset.
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where/TV/Radio: Spectrum Stadium, Orlando, ESPN/106.3 FM
Line: UCF is a 13-point favorite
Did you Know: The teams have met only one other time, in 2003 with UCF winning 33-29
About FAU: Owls blew out to a 29-0 first-quarter lead at home in their 49-28 win against Bethune Cookman. Singletary’s 5-TD day was an FAU record. The Owls leading rusher against Bethune Cookman was junior Kerrith Whyte, who had 100 yards in 15 attempts. Freshman Chris Robison (64-93-3, 799 yards, 4 TDs), who was one of the few bright spots in the season-opening loss at No. 5 Oklahoma, will again play a pivotal role on the road. He did throw two interceptions against Bethune Cookman. The real task is on FAU’s defense to stop a high-scoring UCF offense (47.0 points per game). Linebacker’s Rasah Smith (19 tackles, 2 interceptions) and Azeez AlShaair (13 tackles) have led the Owls defensively. And should the game come down to a kick, FAU would trot freshman Vladmir Rivas out. He has converted 8 or 9 extra points and 2 of 3 field goals – with a long of 34.
About UCF: Remember the Knights were 13-0 under then-coach Scott Frost in 2017, which included a 34-27 win over Auburn in the Peach Bowl. That’s because 14 starters return from that team, which is now coached by Josh Heupel. The Knights defense is currently ranked No. 5 in the nation in point allowed – 8.5. UCF’s quarterback is junior McKenzie Milton threw for a school record 37 TDs last season and was the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year. He will go against an FAU defense that has allowed 118 points in three games. In two games this season, Milton is 45-27-3 for 589 yards and 6 touchdowns. Adrian Killins (17-127 3 TDs), Darriel Mack (5-112, 1 TD) and Greg McCrae (10-105, 1 TD) have shared the running duties in two lopsided wins. Sophomore Gabriel Davis, who started all 13 games as a freshman, is the leading receiver with 15 catches for 151 yards (2 TDs). UCF’s offense is ranked 2nd nationally and has rushed for 612 yards and passed for 606.
Photos contributed by: Bob Markey / www.MarkeySportsPhoto.com Courtesy of www.FAUOwlsNest.com
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