Dylan Rizk goes from benchwarmer to savior with win over Arizona

As Dylan Rizk exited the UCF locker room at FCB Mortgage Stadium, a small group of family and friends greeted him with a boisterous cheer.

The redshirt freshman quarterback had plenty of reasons to celebrate following his first career start on Saturday, leading the Knights to a 56-12 win over visiting Arizona. The victory snapped a five-game losing streak and kept the program’s record in Space Games a perfect 8-0.

For Rizk, the fourth quarterback to start a game this season, it all came down to patience.

“I always knew there was a plan for me,” Rizk said. “Coach Gus [Malzahn] and Coach [Tim] Harris Jr. always told me to be ready. You never know when your time comes. I was prepared when my time came.”

Rizk looked like a veteran quarterback despite having just 15 dropbacks in three games in his two seasons with the Knights. His performance last week in a 37-24 loss to BYU, where he guided the team to two late touchdowns, earned him the right to start against the Wildcats.

Matt Murschel can be reached at moc.lenitnesodnalro@lehcsrumm