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ORLANDO — In a commanding performance, No. 11 BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff led the Cougars to a 37-24 victory over UCF on Saturday, throwing for 228 yards and two touchdowns while also scoring once on the ground.
BYU (8-0, 5-0 Big 12) dominated the clock, maintaining possession for nearly 40 minutes throughout the game. The Cougars made the most of key scoring opportunities, particularly during critical moments.
The scoring began for BYU with a 62-yard touchdown stride from Retzlaff to Chase Roberts just 27 seconds before halftime, giving the Cougars a comfortable 14-point lead heading into the locker room. After the break, BYU orchestrated a 10-play, 72-yard drive, finishing it off with a one-yard touchdown pass from Retzlaff to tight end Mata’ava Ta’ase.
In terms of offensive production, BYU outshined UCF (3-5, 1-4) with a total of 483 yards to 350. Running back LJ Martin was a standout, rushing for 101 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, while teammate Hinckley Ropati added 83 yards on 13 attempts. BYU cruised through the game after notching the first 17 points.
UCF’s only bright spot came through running back RJ Harvey, who put up an impressive 127 yards on 16 carries. He made a notable 54-yard run down to the two-yard line, followed by a touchdown on the subsequent play. Harvey later added another two-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter.
However, UCF struggled significantly on the offensive front. Quarterback Jacurri Brown faced difficulties, throwing two interceptions in the second half as the Knights attempted a comeback. He ended the game with 8 completions on 17 attempts for a mere 96 yards and two picks. Freshman Dylan Rizk took over in the fourth quarter, finishing with 102 yards on 6-for-10 passing.
In a creative moment, BYU executed a trick play where holder Sam Vander Haar faked a field goal by tossing the ball between his legs to kicker Will Ferrin, who gained eight yards for a first down. This drive ended with one of Ferrin’s three successful field goals.
UCF also faced a significant setback losing their leading wide receiver, Kobe Hudson, early in the game. Hudson made a catch on the first play but was injured during the tackle, leaving the field with minimal weight on his right leg and did not return. This season, he has tallied 27 catches for 509 yards and three touchdowns.
Looking ahead, BYU is making a strong case for inclusion in the College Football Playoff, remaining undefeated as they take a bye week before facing their rival Utah in two weeks. Meanwhile, UCF has suffered five consecutive losses, and their hopes of bowl eligibility hinge on winning three of their remaining four games.
Next up, BYU will take a break before heading to their rivalry matchup against Utah on Saturday, November 9, while UCF will host its annual Space Game against Arizona next week.
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