UCF's Fast-Paced Offense Carries The Day In Atlanta

The University of Central Florida Bests Georgia Tech 49-21 In Jackets’ 2020 Home Opener

Unlike so many things in today’s world, they were every bit as good as advertised. The stories about UCF’s offense turned out to be true. No hype. No hyperbole. Just relentless pace and precision, blending together to yield yards and points–along with a strong road win. It was a satisfying way for the visitors to open their 2020 campaign.

Not that they played a squeaky clean game. UCF gave up 2 turnovers and committed 8 penalties. And they did hit “pause” in the 3rd quarter when they were held to 100 yards and no points, allowing Tech to pull briefly back within 7. But the Knights’ firepower re-appeared in the 4th quarter as the play count mounted and depth issues wore Tech down. For the game, the Knights converted 10 of 16 third down plays and ran the ball for 4.8 yards per carry, earning 31 first downs. Those numbers speak to thorough offensive dominance and easily explain the 49 point total.

The Knights scorched Tech’s defense for a whopping 660 yards, including 417 through the air. All told, the Central Florida ran 92 plays, mostly at “race-pace”, which clearly pushed Jacket defenders .

Georgia Tech had prepared for UCF’s fast pace, Coach Geoff Collins said post-game. Nevertheless, the Knights ran their offense at a rhythm quick enough to disrupt not just Tech’s execution, but also their defensive plan. On several occasions the play started as Tech defender’s were still settling into their stances. There were several “participation” penalties on the Yellow Jackets, as substituted players did not get off the field in time. At least one Tech time-out was spent to avoid another such penalty. The overall effect was like hitting in a batting cage with the pitching machine working a little too quickly for comfort, making another heave every few seconds–there was simply  insufficient time to get fully set for the next go. Of course, making defenses uncomfortable is a worthy purpose for any offense. And while there are times when a football team will hurry so much that they disrupt themselves (like a basketball team hell-bent on running a fast-break from every possession), that was not the case with UCF. For Coach Josh Heupel’s Knights, the furious pace is the foundation of their offensive approach. On this day, the precise passing and crisp decision-making of sophomore QB Dillon Gabriel allowed the offense to move well at breakneck speed. And, let’s say it, on a few occasions the referee crew seemed a bit eager to accomodate the administrative urgency sought by UCF–not that it likely mattered in the grand scheme.

Meanwhile, note this: Tech’s offense was not exactly pedestrian. They gained 471 yards of their own, a pretty stout total on a normal day. That included 227 yards on the ground, at a healthy 5-plus yards per carry. QB Jeff Sims again showed his ability to scramble and he did well in the short passing game, though his long throws were less accurate. There were, however, 2 problems that were seen for the second consecutive week. Namely, turnovers and kicking woes, each of which ended long early drives with no points.

After Tech’s quick punch-in TD on their first possession, UCF answered to tie it up at 7-all. 2 of Tech’s next 3 possessions went over 60 yards, ending deep in Knights’ territory–but with no points payoff . QB Jeff Sims lost a fumble inside their 10, and just a bit later, Tech PK Jude Kelley had yet another field goal attempt blocked, this one from 37 yards out (prompting Collins to later switch, successfully, to PK Gavin Stewart for the next PAT opportunities).

Those kinds of misfires always hurt, but playing against the nation’s #13 team who boasts a heavy arsenal of offensive weapons, a tall mountain just gets that much steeper to climb.

Tech’s savvy senior linebacker David Curry, in postgame remarks, lamented the Jackets’ mistakes, and asserted that they could have won the game. Yes, they could have won– the game felt closer than the final margin suggested–but it would taken a near-flawless game to do so. Flawlessness is in extra-short supply everywhere early in this pandemic-plagued football season of 2020, with all of it’s fits and starts. The resulting hectic demands placed on coaches and players led to far less preseason practice time than in a normal year. Everybody in the several competing conferences (Power 3.5?) is having to jump some version of the same hurdles. As an obvious example, the University of Central Florida had multiple players opt out for the 2020 season. So Tech does not claim a disproportionate disadvantage on account of Covid, nor would they want to do so. Collins’crew proudly–and demonstrably– subscribes to the “next man up” philosophy, as we heard from the players again postgame.

Still it’s very clear that the Jackets’ overall talent level is up a good bit from a season ago, and that the roster depth is better as well. Even missing 4 or 5 starters (known as ”above-the-liners” in Collins’ parlance) they competed effectively Saturday and stayed within range of a very good UCF team that plays not only with strong talent, but an edgy purpose. The Knights are elite AAC members who could be nicknamed the “Dangerfields”–“we don’t get no respect!” they’ve said over the past several years. That mindset assures their weekly opponent that the Knights will not show up flat. In this game UCF kept their push going well into the 4th quarter when they scored 3 more times to put the game away.

The contest began in a manner that gave Tech fans hope. Jahmyr Gibbs, making his college debut after missing the FSU game on quarantine, instantly showed why he has been described as “dynamic”. With the opening kickoff, Gibbs raced straight ahead before veering sharply toward the left sideline, leaving a couple Knights in his wake. He was finally taken down just outside UCF’s 20 yard line. It took Jeff Sims just 3 plays to find the endzone on a keeper. Jude Kelley converted the PAT and Tech was up 7-0 with less than a minute gone.

In the absence of RB Jordan Mason, Gibbs was the featured back for Tech. He scored his first collegiate touchdown in the 2nd stanza on a short pass from Sims. In the 4th quarter, he gave a national TV audience a glimpse at his substantial talent. Gibbs took a Sims handoff, veered right and jetted 33 yards into the front corner of the endzone for Tech’s final score. He ended the game with 219 all-purpose yards.

Geoff Collins cited his pride in how well his Jackets competed, especially given the numerous players who had not been available for this game vs the Knights. He also complimented his opponent, and cited the numerous tie-ins between Georgia Tech and his former employer, UCF. Looking at the big picture, you had to say that the main difference between Tech’s Week One win and Saturday’s loss was the quality of the opponent. The Knights’ wealth of talent, combined with a confident offensive identity and a refusal to stop “mashing on the gas” make them a formidable foe– for anybody. Don’t be surprised if they finally garner substantive national acclaim in 2020, perhaps rendering that Rodney routine a bit moot in the process.

Collins’ Yellow Jackets take on Syracuse next week in upstate New York. Tech will be looking for a 2nd ACC road win. UCF plays at East Carolina in a game that will not serve them well in their quest for nationwide props.

Patrick Conarro

RamblinSports