The UCF Knights meet the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Saturday in week 2 college football action from the Bounce House on Saturday evening.
The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats will look to rebound after a narrow 38-28 loss to UTEP last time out. Shannon Patrick threw for 215 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception on 15 of 22 passing while Que’shaun Byrd led BC’s ground attack with 98 rushing yards and a touchdown. Aaron Thompson added 25 rushing yards and a score. Kemari Averett and Marcus Riley each had 72 receiving yards with a touchdown, with Averett logging 4 catches to Riley’s team-high 5 grabs. Darryl Powell Jr. also chipped in 41 receiving yards. Defensively, Caleb Sutherland had a team-high 13 total tackles including 9 solo tackles and a sack while Tekeven Thomas had a sack as well in the defeat.
The UCF Knights will attempt to carry their momentum from a 36-31 win over Boise State in their season opener. Dillon Gabriel threw for 318 yards, 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions on 25 of 37 passing while Isaiah Bowser rushed for 170 yards and a score on 32 carries. Jaylon Robinson led UCF in receiving with 6 catches for 140 yards and a TD while Brandon Johnson had 5 catches for 47 yards with a score. Ryan O’Keefe had 3 catches for 45 yards while Alec Holler and Titus Mokiao-Atimalala each had a touchdown reception. Defensively, Quadric Bullard and Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste each had a team-high 9 total tackles while Dyllon Lester had an interception for UCF’s defense in the win.
Bethune Cookman is 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games overall while the over is 4-2 in their last 6 Saturday games. UCF is 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games overall and 4-10 ATS in their last 14 Saturday games while the under is 8-1 in their last 9 week 2 matchups.
The thing you have to worry about with UCF in this spot is will they take Bethune-Cookman seriously, or will this be a spot where UCF just toys with their prey and just looks ahead to the next game. I think it’s the former here as the Knights looks really good in rallying to beat Boise State and Bethune Cookman just does not have what it takes to keep up with this high-octane UCF offense. Give me the Knights in this one.