Written by Manuel DeLeon
Orlando- In front of an energized Camping World Stadium, UCF(6-7,4-4) and Arkansas State(8-5,8-1) kicked off the 2016 AutoNation Cure Bowl, and didn’t disappoint. Both teams came into the contest relying mostly on their defenses to keep them in games, with ASU’s defense ranked 42nd in the nation. From the coin toss ASU felt disrespected. If the Knights weren’t going to give ASU the respect they warranted, they were going to take it, and take it they did, routing the Knights 31-13.
On a beautiful night, things couldn’t have started any uglier for the Knights as their first three drives ended in punts. Looking to secure its first bowl victory since defeating Baylor 52-42 in the 2014 Fiesta bowl, UCF couldn’t seem to get over the early miscues. The Knights average 53.9 penalty yards per game, they surrendered 42 in the first quarter alone.
Taking advantage of the UCF rocky start, Arkansas St. jumped out a 17-0 lead in the first. The Red Wolves began the scoring, when Redshirt Junior Johnston White made a beeline for UCF Punter Caleb Houston blocking his kick in the end zone. Freshman safety B.J Edmonds was at the right place at the right time falling on the ball giving ASU the 7-0 lead early. As things continued to go downhill for the Knights, the Red Wolves were able to capitalize. On the ensuing drive ASU Redshirt Sophomore QB Justice Hansen(12-26-205-3TDS) found Junior tight end Blake Mack for a 67 yard pass down the middle, marking the longest pass in Cure Bowl history. Seconds later Jansen would find Senior wide receiver Kendall Sanders who made an amazing toe tapping touchdown grab in the back of the endzone making it 17-0 after a ASU field goal.
Looking to stay in the game, the Knight defense stepped up in the 2nd quarter, holding the Red Wolves to zero points and 12 yards heading into halftime. Seeing the defense step up, Quarterback McKenzie Milton led the Knights on their best drive of the night, marching 48 yards down the field. He would connect with Redshirt Senior wide receiver Taylor Oldham from 11 yards out for the touchdown, the first of TO’s career making the score 17-7. The Knights would add a 45-yard field goal from Matthew Williams to close out the half 17-10.
Coming out of the locker-room, UCF looked poised to make it a game, until Jansen found Kendall Sanders, who had a career night, for a 75 touchdown catch and run, taking only 51 seconds off the clock. Besides a field goal from their kicker UCF was unable to produce any points as the ASU defense stiffened. Both defenses made it hard for any back to find running room, as only 22 rushing yards were gained as a whole, through the 3rd.
With the offense sputtering, UCF’s defense found it difficult to contain the ASU offense. The Knights offense failed to get past the 50 yard in the first quarter and was only 3 of 18 on 3rd down putting its defense at a disadvantage. When the Knights defense was on the field it was Redshirt Senior linebacker Demeitre Brim, who made his presence known leading the team with 14 tackles and a forced fumble. He did what he could, but to no avail. Junior linebacker Shaquem Griffin chipped in 7 tackles along with redshirt senior D’rico Johnson.
The Knights found it tough to get in a rhythm all night as its offense only rushed for 12 yards. Trying to find a spark, Head Coach Scott Frost turned to Senior QB Justin Holman to spell the struggling Milton, but it was more of the same as the balled bounced the Red Wolves way the whole night. Milton would finish 22 of 39 for 175 yard, with one touchdown and an interception. The Red Wolves dominated the Knights offensive line all game, getting to the quarterback six times during the game.
Late in the fourth, ASU put it away after quarterback Justice Jansen found Kendall Sanders again for their 3rd touchdown hookup of the game. Sanders would finish with 127 yards and 3 touchdowns on 5 receptions. After posting career numbers, Sanders could go out the way he wanted saying, “I felt like it was a great way to go out.”
After starting 0-4, ASU went on to win a share of the Sun Belt Conference title, something no one saw them accomplishing. After the win over the Knights, the ASU celebration could be heard throughout the stadium. Head coach Blake Anderson couldn’t be more happy for his players and staff stating “ I don’t think it’s possible to explain just how hard this season has been; exhausting. They’re excited, that’s just pure joy.”
On a beautiful night, things couldn’t have started any uglier for the Knights as their first three drives ended in punts. Looking to secure its first bowl victory since defeating Baylor 52-42 in the 2014 Fiesta bowl, UCF couldn’t seem to get over the early miscues. The Knights average 53.9 penalty yards per game, they surrendered 42 in the first quarter alone.
Taking advantage of the UCF rocky start, Arkansas St. jumped out a 17-0 lead in the first. The Red Wolves began the scoring, when Redshirt Junior Johnston White made a beeline for UCF Punter Caleb Houston blocking his kick in the end zone. Freshman safety B.J Edmonds was at the right place at the right time falling on the ball giving ASU the 7-0 lead early. As things continued to go downhill for the Knights, the Red Wolves were able to capitalize. On the ensuing drive ASU Redshirt Sophomore QB Justice Hansen(12-26-205-3TDS) found Junior tight end Blake Mack for a 67 yard pass down the middle, marking the longest pass in Cure Bowl history. Seconds later Jansen would find Senior wide receiver Kendall Sanders who made an amazing toe tapping touchdown grab in the back of the endzone making it 17-0 after a ASU field goal.
Looking to stay in the game, the Knight defense stepped up in the 2nd quarter, holding the Red Wolves to zero points and 12 yards heading into halftime. Seeing the defense step up, Quarterback McKenzie Milton led the Knights on their best drive of the night, marching 48 yards down the field. He would connect with Redshirt Senior wide receiver Taylor Oldham from 11 yards out for the touchdown, the first of TO’s career making the score 17-7. The Knights would add a 45-yard field goal from Matthew Williams to close out the half 17-10.
Coming out of the locker-room, UCF looked poised to make it a game, until Jansen found Kendall Sanders, who had a career night, for a 75 touchdown catch and run, taking only 51 seconds off the clock. Besides a field goal from their kicker UCF was unable to produce any points as the ASU defense stiffened. Both defenses made it hard for any back to find running room, as only 22 rushing yards were gained as a whole, through the 3rd.
With the offense sputtering, UCF’s defense found it difficult to contain the ASU offense. The Knights offense failed to get past the 50 yard in the first quarter and was only 3 of 18 on 3rd down putting its defense at a disadvantage. When the Knights defense was on the field it was Redshirt Senior linebacker Demeitre Brim, who made his presence known leading the team with 14 tackles and a forced fumble. He did what he could, but to no avail. Junior linebacker Shaquem Griffin chipped in 7 tackles along with redshirt senior D’rico Johnson.
The Knights found it tough to get in a rhythm all night as its offense only rushed for 12 yards. Trying to find a spark, Head Coach Scott Frost turned to Senior QB Justin Holman to spell the struggling Milton, but it was more of the same as the balled bounced the Red Wolves way the whole night. Milton would finish 22 of 39 for 175 yard, with one touchdown and an interception. The Red Wolves dominated the Knights offensive line all game, getting to the quarterback six times during the game.
Late in the fourth, ASU put it away after quarterback Justice Jansen found Kendall Sanders again for their 3rd touchdown hookup of the game. Sanders would finish with 127 yards and 3 touchdowns on 5 receptions. After posting career numbers, Sanders could go out the way he wanted saying, “I felt like it was a great way to go out.”
After starting 0-4, ASU went on to win a share of the Sun Belt Conference title, something no one saw them accomplishing. After the win over the Knights, the ASU celebration could be heard throughout the stadium. Head coach Blake Anderson couldn’t be more happy for his players and staff stating “ I don’t think it’s possible to explain just how hard this season has been; exhausting. They’re excited, that’s just pure joy.”