UCF rallies from 21 down to earn road win over TCU

FORT WORTH, Texas — UCF coach Gus Malzahn wanted his team to be able to handle adversity.

So he put his players under stress throughout summer camp, running them through scenario after scenario, all with the intent of helping them push through difficult times.

The Knights (3-0) rallied from 21 points down in the third quarter to pull out a stunning 35-34 win over TCU on Saturday night. That marked their largest comeback since they rallied from a 21-point deficit to beat Boise State on Sept. 2, 2021.

RJ Harvey rushed for 180 yards and scored three touchdowns to help fuel the comeback for his fifth straight 100-yard rushing game dating to last season.

Quarterback KJ Jefferson shook off a slow start to pass for two touchdowns — a 29-yarder to Harvey and a 27-yarder to receiver Kobe Hudson, who  finished with 145 yards for his second consecutive 100-yard game.

Jefferson’s 20-yard touchdown pass to Hudson with 42 seconds left gave the Knights the win.

TCU jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead as Hoover found an early rhythm, connecting on 10 of his first 15 passes for 114 yards.

UCF ready for prime-time showdown against TCU

The sophomore found receiver Eric McAlister for a 14-yard score on the Horned Frogs opening possession. On their next possession, Hoover needled a throw between two UCF defensive backs as receiver Savion Williams snagged the ball for an 18-yard touchdown.

It was another slow start for Jefferson, who misfired on four of his first five pass attempts. With the passing attack stuck in neutral, the Knights leaned heavily on a rush attack that entered the game ranked No. 1 in the country.

But the fifth-year starter would heat up on the third possession, connecting on three passes to tight end Randy Pittman (18 yards) and Hudson (15) before finding Harvey on a wheel-route for a 29-yard touchdown.

On the next TCU possession, Hoover found Williams on a diving 16-yard touchdown that pushed the score to 21-7 with 10 minutes left in the first half.

UCF put together an impressive 6-minute at the end of the first half only to have Boomer’s 27-yard field goal blocked.

Harvey would score twice in the second half, once on a 1-yard scramble and then again on a 27-yard run at the start of the fourth quarter. He finished with 180 rushing yards, his fifth consecutive 100-yard rushing performance dating back to last season.

Jefferson had 201 passing yards with 2 touchdown passes.

UCF has a bye week before hosting Colorado at FBC Mortgage Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Matt Murschel can be reached at moc.lenitnesodnalro@lehcsrumm