2011 Predictions & Game Story
Week 9 - Memphis at UCF
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Oct. 29 at UCF 41 … Memphis 0
CFN Analysis: COMING
(AP) ORLANDO, Fla. -- Central Florida quarterback Jeff Godfrey rushed for one touchdown and threw for another to break out of a recent slump as the Knights dominated Memphis 41-0 on Saturday.
Knights' receiver Quincy McDuffie caught Godfrey's touchdown pass and added another rushing score. UCF's defense also came alive after a recent slump with a season-high three sacks.
The win snapped a two-game losing streak for UCF (4-4, 2-2 Conference USA) and keeps it in the hunt in Conference USA's East Division.
Memphis (2-7, 1-4) was shut out for the second time this season and lost for the fifth time in six games.
The Tigers struggled to move the ball against the Knights all game and were short-handed when leading receiver Tannar Rehrer left the game in the first half after taking a hard hit.
After two weeks of getting spotty play from its offense, the Knights clicked from the outset Saturday with 21 first-half points. Also, in what has been UCF's calling card in its wins this season, it dominated time of possession, holding the ball for just over 40 minutes for the game.
Godfrey, who has struggled at times with his accuracy, completed 14 of 17 passes for 200 yards. He also led the Knights with 97 yards rushing on 10 carries.
Knights coach George O'Leary said earlier this week that he wouldn't hesitate to use backup quarterback Blake Bortles Saturday if Godfrey got into trouble against the Tigers. But with Godfrey playing well, he didn't insert Bortles until the game was well in hand.
Memphis found some offensive traction in snapping a four-game losing streak at Tulane last week, but struggled to get first downs early on Saturday and never recovered. The Tigers had just six for the game.
UCF's defense had a lot to do with the Tigers' sluggishness, limiting Memphis to a scant 134 offensive yards. Junior defensive end Troy Davis, who had 5.5 sacks last season, also recorded his first sack of 2011.
UCF started fast on its opening possession of the game, needing just four plays to set up a 29-yard touchdown scamper by Godfrey.
It set the tone with the Knights scoring two more times in the half, while holding the Tigers to only four first downs 82 total yards.
Godfrey topped his season-high rushing in the first half with 90 yards, and was accurate through the air, connecting on 9 of 12 passes.
The Knights racked up 334 yards on offense in the opening 30 minutes on the way to 505 for the game. They were 5 for 8 on third down and 2 for 2 on fourth-down attempts.
Memphis (2-6) at UCF (3-4) Oct. 29, 4:00
Here’s The Deal … What the heck has happened to UCF? The defending Conference USA champs, who looked so good following a Week 2 blowout of Boston College, has lost four of five games since. Last Thursday night’s loss to winless UAB was especially egregious for a program that started the season with Top 25 aspirations. While it’s not too late to regroup, the Knights recognize that there’s no longer any margin for error for winning the league’s East Division.
Memphis will descend upon Orlando with an unusual bounce in its step. The Tigers, for the first time since last September, have defeated a fellow FBS member, nearly doubling up Tulane at the Superdome. It was a much-needed victory for the players and their head coach, Larry Porter, who has been saddled with the distractions associated with a 3-17 start to his tenure. His fledgling group of kids can use the next four games to get a jump on the 2012 season.
Why Memphis Might Win: Not only is UCF not nearly as daunting a hurdle as it was a few weeks ago, but the Tigers now have the confidence that comes with finally winning a league game. The team showed a spark on both sides of the ball last week, scoring three touchdowns, and keeping the Green Wave in check when it mattered most. Unproven in September, the younger have started to asserts, and limit the mistakes. On offense, rookie QB Taylor Reed has almost a full season of snaps on his resume, and versatile veteran Billy Foster has proven to be an asset as both a runner and a receiver. The improving defense is getting its marching orders from an underrated front seven boasting all-star candidates in DT Dontari Poe, DE Frank Trotter and LB Terrence Thomas.
Why UCF Might Win: Returning to BrightHouse Networks Stadium, where the Knights haven’t lost in 2011, might be just what the program needs to get back on track. Despite the school’s recent struggles, the defense has remained solid, ranking no lower than No. 12 nationally in run defense, pass defense and total D. The youth of Memphis will get exposed by the speed and tenacity of UCF, which has all-star contenders at every level. LB Jonathan Davis and defensive backs Josh Robinson and Kemal Ishmael, in particular, will spy an average collection of Tigers skill position players, keeping them from picking up yards after contact.
What To Watch Out For: What’s up with UCF QB Jeff Godfrey, a microcosm for the problems in Orlando this season? The rookie revelation in 2010 has been unable to recapture his 2010 form, throwing just two touchdown passes all season. He got benched for a time last week in favor of redshirt freshman Blake Bortles, who’ll be ready for action if Godfrey struggles again this week. This should be a positive game for the woeful Knights passing game, which will be challenged by a Memphis secondary that’s already allowed 19 touchdown passes this season.
What Will Happen: At least for one weekend, UCF should be able to restore the order, and perform a lot closer to its potential. Back in its familiar setting, the Knights will manhandle the skittish Memphis offense, and force a bunch of turnovers, short drives and three-and-outs. The offense, while still in need of serious fine-tuning, will get a boost from the D, which will put up points of its own, and provide the struggling attack with a shorter field with which to navigate.
CFN Prediction: UCF 30 … Memphis 10
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