UCF uses strong ground game, turnovers to outlast Georgia State 44-30

Orlando, FL (AP) — UCF running back Duke Watson rushed for a career-high 177 yards and two touchdowns, and the Knights used two second-half turnovers to erase a halftime deficit and defeat Georgia State 44-30.

The Knights leaned heavily on the ground game to build their offense.

UCF rushed for 216 of the team's 304 rush yards after halftime. Watson's two touchdowns came on runs of 14 and 63 yards. He eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards for his career with the big day. Landen Chambers added 62 yards on nine carries. Quarterback Keyone Jenkins rushed for two touchdowns.

“Basically, we knew we had to come out and step it up a little more,” Watson said. "We talked about it in the locker room before we went out that we need some more points."

The Knights got a heavy dose of the run to outscore the Panthers 24-6 in the second half. But they again leaned on a strong second-half defensive performance to get the win.

The Knights and Panthers were tied at 27 in the third quarter when a UCF interception set up Georgia State at the UCF 29. But the Knights immediately answered with their own interception and return from linebacker Tackett Curtis to set the team up near midfield.

The Knights scored nine plays later on a three-yard run by Jenkins.

UCF's defense stood tall on the ensuing possession, intercepting Cameran Brown a second time to set up a field goal and give the Knights a 10-point lead they would not surrender.

“Our kids were not going to shy away from it," Georgia State coach Dell McGee said. "We felt like we had a chance. But we had to do everything the right way. We didn't play to the standard from an execution standpoint.”

UCF gave up 162 total yards in the second half, limiting Georgia State to a pair of field goals.

The Panthers offense caused plenty of problems in the first half to take a 24-20 halftime lead.

Brown threw for 282 yards and two touchdowns. He found receiver Rodshaun Dorsey for two touchdowns and four catches for 32 yards overall.

Running back Qwantavius Wiggins rushed for 125 yards on 11 carries, including a 78-yard touchdown run to give the Panthers their first lead of the game.

Injury replacement

Jenkins took over at quarterback for UCF, replacing the injured Alonza Barnett. Barnett was injured near the end of last week's 12-7 loss to Pittsburgh with a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him out for several weeks.

Jenkins threw for only 86 yards on 7-for-17 passing and rushed for 25 yards and two scores.

UCF coach Scott Frost said the team will make a decision on its quarterback on a week-to-week basis, but Jenkins remains the likely starter moving forward.

It's about turnovers

One of the main focuses for UCF's defense has been getting more takeaways after the Knights managed only 14 all of last season.

The interception by Curtis was a turning point in the Knights' win and helped them gain breathing room. It opened the floodgates for UCF's defense.

“Everybody has to play together and play physical,” safety Demari Henderson said. “Turnovers win games. We have to go out and get turnovers. That's what we did.”

Henderson got the second interception of the game in the third quarter off a tipped pass and added a second in the fourth quarter, marking his second career two-interception game.

The Knights’ three interceptions bring their takeaway total to five through three games. And the Knights only gave the ball away one time in the victory.

The Takeaway

Georgia State: Georgia State came up short in its attempt to take down a power conference team, but showed it can throw some punches as the team prepares for Sun Belt play.

UCF: UCF is still settling into life without Barnett and trying to find consistency on offense as it prepares to open Big 12 play.

Up Next

Georgia State: hosts Northern Illinois next Saturday.