Orlando, Fla. — On Saturday, RJ Harvey was instrumental in UCF’s successful outing, rushing for 184 yards and scoring three touchdowns, while new quarterback Dylan Rizk contributed with 209 yards in the air and one touchdown pass. This impressive performance led UCF to a decisive 56-12 victory over Arizona, breaking a five-game losing streak for the Knights.
The Knights (4-5, 2-4 Big 12) demonstrated a revitalized spirit during their annual Space Game, following significant coaching changes earlier in the week. UCF parted ways with defensive coordinator Ted Roof and assigned play-calling responsibilities from head coach Gus Malzahn to offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr.
UCF’s offensive production reached 602 yards, marking its highest total since their opening game against the FCS New Hampshire. Rizk’s promotion to starting quarterback proved beneficial. The team exhibited faster ball distribution, which was particularly highlighted towards the end of the first half when Rizk executed a remarkable 48-yard Hail Mary pass to tight end Randy Pittman Jr., securing the senior’s first touchdown this season among only 17 receptions overall.
Pittman further contributed, scoring another touchdown in the latter stages of the game, finishing with five receptions for 80 yards, both of which were season highs. Rizk showcased versatility by completing passes to seven different receivers, alleviating previous woes in distributing the ball effectively throughout the season. Among those was a 40-yard touchdown to Jacoby Jones, who recorded five catches for 106 yards, achieving his second consecutive game with over 100 yards after a quiet start to the season.
UCF maintained a strong ground attack, accumulating 308 rushing yards. The standout was Harvey, whose 184 yards came from 22 carries, with touchdown runs of 17, 18, and 19 yards. Arizona (3-6, 1-5) struggled to keep pace with UCF’s offensive surge. The Wildcats managed a mere 261 total yards and were limited to just five rushing yards. Quarterback Noah Fifita completed 24 of 33 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns, with star receiver Tetairoa McMillan catching six passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. Chris Hunter also had a notable performance with seven catches for 102 yards.
The Knights’ defense proved tenacious, sacking Fifita four times and tallying 10 tackles for a loss. Arizona’s struggles were compounded when Quali Coney fumbled during the Wildcats’ second possession amidst rainy conditions, allowing Harvey to score his first touchdown, expanding the lead to 14-0. This loss marked Arizona’s fifth consecutive defeat.
Dylan Rizk’s introduction as UCF’s fourth starting quarterback this season came after he led two late touchdown drives in last week’s game against No. 9 BYU. Entering the game with only 11 previous pass attempts, Rizk’s performance suggests that he may solidify his role moving forward, especially with Brown contributing in running situations as well.
Moreover, Tetairoa McMillan approached multiple all-time receiving records at Arizona. With six catches and a touchdown, McMillan surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the second consecutive season, becoming the first player in Arizona’s history to achieve this milestone in back-to-back years. His cumulative career receiving yards reached 3,170, closing in on Dennis Northcutt for third place in the school’s all-time rankings, while Bobby Wade holds the top record.
The Wildcats, facing dire circumstances, require victories in their remaining three games — against Houston, TCU, and Arizona State — to reach bowl eligibility. On the other hand, UCF’s offensive refresh has ignited hope, indicating they are finding their rhythm after the quarterback change and shift in play calling.
Looking ahead, Arizona is set to take a break before hosting Houston on November 15, while UCF will travel to Arizona to battle Arizona State.