UConn blows out UCF as season goes from bad to worse

It went all downhill from there in UCF’s 40-13 loss to Connecticut.

UCF mustered a field goal in each half as quarterback Justin Holman was intercepted three times, twice before the half and the Huskies turned those into TDs. Shirreffs plowed in on a one-yard keeper two plays after Jhavon Williams’ 19-yard interception put the ball on the UCF 9, then, after an Obi Melifonwu interception, Shirreffs connected with Noel Thomas for a 16-yard touchdown with 49 seconds left in the half. It doesn’t look like the 0-5 Knights will get their first win of the season in this game.

After that game, UConn head coach Bob Diaco started recommending a trophy be built for the game, citing his experience in coaching for games like Louisville-Cincinnati’s Keg of Nails and Iowa-Minnesota’s Floyd of Rosedale trophy.

While UConn had everything going, the struggles of the injury-riddled UCF offense kept any sort of rivalry from developing.

True freshman D’erren Wilson and redshirt freshman C.J. Jones didn’t help Holman find his rhythm after missing nearly four entire games as each dropped passes that would have gone for first downs and big numbers through the air.

“We just have a lot of kids out there who aren’t ready yet”, O’Leary said. “Too many easy scores, too many dumb mistakes”.

After Connecticut took the lead 7-3 on a touchdown run by Akreel Newsome, a mis-communication on the kickoff gave the Huskies a safety. Newsome’s touchdown was set up when Ellis Marder recovered a fumbled punt return on the UCF 16.

Holman finished 27 of 50 for 255 yards with an 11-yard touchdown to Nick Patti with 1:38 remaining.

UConn’s offense compiled 426 total yards and UCF’s staggered in at 315 after a 65-yard drive that resulted in a touchdown in its final possession.

So, when UConn actually did decide to take the trophy to the game, Central Florida wasn’t having it. The Knights” mascot, Knightro, held up a sign in the middle of the game, showing meme taken from the 2004 movie “Mean Girls, ‘ mocking UConn’s feeble attempts to make the game a rivalry.