UCF Squeak Past Tulane 20-13

In a game that the Knights should've won by 20, UCF barely best a 2-4 Tulane team. It was a sloppy game in the the Knights AAC home opener. Offensively, the team once again sputtered after an impressive  showing against BYU. It was the defense that stepped up and saved the Knights season from utter and complete disaster.

Players of the game

Tyson Summers and the defense- after the Missouri game, the  fanbase was arguing over if making the young former linebackers coach the defensive coordinator. Since then, the defense has locked teams down. I think it is safe to say he hat summers is the best coach on this staff. His players play with a passion and aggressiveness that was missing last year. Today was no different. The UCF defense shut down Tulane and held them to 13 points and only 278 yards including 2 turnovers.

Jacoby Glenn and Brandon Alexander continue to make plays. Both had an interception off of Nick Montana. Terrance Plummer continued to be the best linebacker in the country that you haven't heard of. His pass break up of a Montana pass on 3rd down late in the fourth quarter prevented a Tulane comeback. Defensive tackle Thomas Niles played well recording 5 tackles that included a 4th down stop.

Mediocre qb play:

Justin Holman and Nick Patti- um what happened? After a tremendous game against BYU, Justin Holman looked mediocre. He had 2 easy interceptions and finished 9-17 for 113 yards. He did have a 46 yard pass to Breshad Perriman in the second quarter to give UCF a 20-6 lead. Nick Patti came in and showed why he shouldn't be a starter.  He went 3-6 for 25 yards, but failed to capitalize on good field position following Jacoby Glenn's interception in the second quarter.

The no good, very bad coaches:

Brent Key and Charlie Taaffe did the best they could to cost UCF the game today. Key, the co offensive coordinator and Charlie Taaffe had a horrible game today. After watching  Justin Holman almost get killed against BYU last week, you would have thought that Brent Key would have done a better job coaching the offensive line up. Instead once again the line looked horrible. They couldn't run block or pass protect. Both Holman and Patti were rocked in the game by the "mighty" Tulane pass rush.

Charlie Taaffe had a very bad game. His gameplan seemed terrible against a bad. Tulane defense, only gaining 233 total yards. This is the 3rd game in which UCF has failed to crack 300 yards this season. That isn't good. Taaffe also made a horrific mistake having JJ Worton throw a pass on 4 and 1 at e Tulane 18. That left UCF fans scratching their heads.

Bottom Line: UCF has won 10 straight AAC games. They may not be pretty, but a win is a win. Their defense is championship level, but their offense is bad. This was a typical George O'Leary letdown coming off a big win game.

Up Next: Homecoming vs 4-2 Temple