UCF storms past Sam Houston St. to start season 2-0

In what is quickly becoming a familiar theme for UCF, the Knights relied on a dominant ground game and a stingy defense to manhandle visiting Sam Houston State 45-14 on Saturday night.

UCF (2-0, 0-0 Big 12) entered the game with the top rushing offense in the nation and looked the part against the Bearkats, running for 384 yards and 6 touchdowns.

“I’m really proud of our team,” said coach Gus Malzahn. “It was a convincing win against a quality opponent. It was a good measuring stick of where our guys are.”

RJ Harvey finished with a game-high 126 yards — his fourth straight 100-yard performance — and 4 rushing touchdowns. It was the first time the preseason Doak Walker Award candidate scored four rushing touchdowns in a game, and it tied a school record held by several players, including Isaiah Bowser against Bethune-Cookman on Sept. 11, 2021.

Eight of UCF’s 17 rushing attempts in the first quarter went for 10 yards or longer.

“We go at each other at every practice,” Harvey said. “We’re pushing each other hard every day. I’m so grateful for them because they push me and make me a better running back.”

The game started at 7:02 after a 30-minute lightning delay that cleared FBC Mortgage Stadium before warmups. Both teams took to the field at 6:10 to allow for a 50-minute warmup period after showers drenched the field.

Quarterback KJ Jefferson rebounded from a slow start last week against New Hampshire by completing seven of his first eight pass attempts, finishing 12 of 15 for 169 yards. The 6-4, 250-pound fifth-year senior also accounted for 50 rushing yards.

Receiver Kobe Hudson led all receivers with 104 yards on 5 catches, highlighted by a 53-yard catch in the second half. It was Hudson’s first 100-yard receiving game since totaling 138 yards against Kansas State on Sept. 23, 2023.

Sam Houston (1-1, 0-0 CUSA) relied on some trickery to get on the scoreboard when receiver Noah Smith took a pitch from quarterback Hunter Watson before lofting a perfect pass to a wide-open Simeon Evans, who raced 64 yards for a touchdown.

It was Smith’s third touchdown pass of his career and the first touchdown the Knights have allowed this season.

UCF amassed more than 500 yards of offense for the second consecutive game while holding Sam Houston to under 300 yards.

After registering two turnovers last week against New Hampshire, UCF’s defense forced two more against the Bearkats as safety Sheldon Arnold and cornerback Mac McWilliams intercepted passes by Watson.

UCF finds the right balance with helmet communication

The Knights have four interceptions through two games and didn’t have that many until Game 4 against Kansas State last season.

Defensive end Nyjalk Kelly secured the team’s first sack of the season when he brought down Watson in the second quarter.

“It felt good getting a sack after being injured last year and only playing in five games,” said Kelly, who finished with 6 tackles,  “getting back out there with my teammates and the coaches believing in me.”

UCF improved to 2-0 to open a season for the second consecutive year, with the Knights winning five straight regular-season non-conference games.

UCF opens its Big 12 slate with a road trip to Fort Worth to face TCU on Saturday (7:30 p.m., FOX). The Knights were 1-4 on the road in their first season in the conference.

Matt Murschel can be reached at moc.lenitnesodnalro@lehcsrumm