Tag: UCF

Sep 14, 2024; Greenville, North Carolina, USA; Appalachian State Mountaineers head coach Shawn Clark reacts to a call in the second half against the East Carolina Pirates at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Report: UCF hires ex-Appalachian State coach Shawn Clark as OL coach

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Appalachian State head coach Shawn Clark has been hired as UCF’s offensive line coach, ESPN reported on Saturday morning.

Clark, 49, was fired earlier this month after compiling a 40-24 record with the Mountaineers, including 5-6 in 2024 — his first losing season. Clark had a 3-1 record in bowl games.

A two-time All-American offensive lineman at Appalachian State, Clark served as an assistant coach at his alma mater before taking the helm in December 2019.

Clark coached the offensive line for Kent State (2013-15), Purdue (2009-12) and Eastern Kentucky (2003-08).

Scott Frost has returned as UCF’s new head coach, replacing Gus Malzahn, who recently departed to become the offensive coordinator at Florida State.

Frost went 19-7 in two seasons (2016-17) at the school — including 13-0 in 2017 — before departing for Nebraska, his alma mater. He went 16-31 in four-plus years at Nebraska, which fired him three games into the 2022 season.

Frost is filling out his staff, announcing Friday the hiring of Mike Dawson as defensive run game coordinator and edge coach. Earlier this week, Alex Grinch was named defensive coordinator. Kenny Martin is remaining on staff as defensive tackles coach.

–Field Level Media

Sep 3, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Scott Frost looks on during a timeout in the second quarter against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Reports: UCF bringing back former 13-0 coach Scott Frost

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Scott Frost, who guided UCF to a 13-0 season in 2017, is returning to the school for a second stint as head coach, according to multiple reports on Saturday night.

Frost went 19-7 in two seasons (2016-17) at the school before departing for Nebraska, his alma mater.

That move didn’t go so well as Frost went 16-31 in four-plus seasons with the Cornhuskers and didn’t have a single winning season. He was fired after the third game of the 2022 season — a 45-42 home loss to Georgia Southern.

Frost, 49, is currently an assistant coach with the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams. He will replace Gus Malzahn, who recently departed to be the offensive coordinator at Florida State.

Frost went 6-7 in his first season at UCF before the memorable 2017 campaign in which he was the consensus national coach of the year.

The Knights sailed through their schedule but were bypassed for the four-team College Football Playoff. After UCF beat Auburn 34-27 in the Peach Bowl and finished sixth in the final poll, the school famously claimed it won the national championship.

Malzahn went 28-24 in four seasons at the Orlando school, but the program was just 10-15 overall the past two seasons after moving into the Big 12. The Knights went 5-13 in Big 12 play under Malzahn.

During his playing career, Frost was the starting quarterback when Nebraska went 13-0 and won a share of the 1997 national championship. Michigan was the co-champion. He rushed for 1,095 yards and 19 touchdowns that season in the run-based attack.

–Field Level Media

Nov 9, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; UCF Knights head coach Gus Malzahn looks on against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half at Mountain America Stadium, Home of the ASU Sun Devils. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Former UCF head coach Gus Malzahn hired as Florida State OC

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Florida State made official on Monday the hiring of Gus Malzahn as offensive coordinator, confirming weekend reports that he would resign as UCF head coach to reunite with Seminoles coach Mike Norvell.

UCF had confirmed on Sunday reports of Malzahn’s exit but not his destination, and FSU had not made an announcement until Monday afternoon.

“I am excited to be here at Florida State and to help us win championships,” Malzahn said in a statement. “It’s exciting to work with Coach Norvell, who is someone I believe in as a coach and leader.”

Norvell, who served as a graduate assistant under Malzahn at Tulsa in 2007-08, said on Saturday night after the Seminoles’ 31-11 loss to Florida that he could not identify the new offensive coordinator until the hiring process was finalized.

Florida State, which is 2-10 overall and 1-7 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, is ranked No. 132 of 133 FBS programs in total offense (270.2 yards per game). The Seminoles are 130th in the nation in scoring offense (15.4 points per game).

Norvell shook up his staff, including firing offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins on Nov. 10 after a 52-3 defeat at Notre Dame.

“I’m extremely excited to have Gus Malzahn join our staff at Florida State,” Norvell said in the school’s statement on Monday. “He has one of the most innovative minds in college football and a proven track record of developing elite offenses everywhere he’s been.

“His offenses have consistently showcased a tremendous running game combined with explosive plays through the air. I’m thrilled to work side-by-side with Gus again as we elevate the Florida State offense back to one of the elite groups in college football.”

UCF also endured a tough 2024 season, going 4-8 after losing eight of its last nine games. During Malzahn’s four-year tenure, the Knights went 28-24, including 5-13 in the Big 12 Conference the last two seasons.

Malzahn, 59, is 105-62 in 13 seasons as a college head coach, highlighted by a 68-35 mark in eight seasons at Auburn — which included a BCS title game appearance in 2013. He served as offensive coordinator and play caller when the Tigers won the national title in 2010.

Malzahn will be tasked with revitalizing a Florida State offense that helped produce a 13-1 campaign in 2023, when the Seminoles were denied a spot in the College Football Playoff. Over the last three seasons at UCF, his rushing attack has been in the Top 10 in the nation.

In his 19 seasons as a college head coach or offensive coordinator, Malzahn’s teams have averaged 447.7 yards per game, and three of his teams eclipsed 7,000 yards in a season.

–Field Level Media

Nov 29, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Luke Bottari (15) passes the ball during the first quarter against the UCF Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Defense helps Utah halt skid, defeat UCF in season finale

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Zemeiah Barton and Smith Snowden returned interceptions for touchdowns and Utah ended a seven-game losing streak with a 28-14 Big 12 Conference win over Central Florida on Friday night in Orlando.

The Utes (5-7, 2-7) managed just 196 total yards but their defense more than propped up an offense that has sputtered in conference games. Snowden applied the clinching blow, intercepting a telegraphed pass over the middle by backup quarterback EJ Colson and returning it 13 yards for six points with 3:34 remaining in the game.

Luke Bottari, Utah’s fourth starting quarterback of the season, completed 13 of 20 passes for 111 yards and a 15-yard touchdown to Landen King 14 seconds into the fourth quarter that made it 21-7. Micah Bernard rushed for 87 yards on 22 carries.

Freshman Dylan Rizk hit 11 of 27 passes for 118 yards with an interception for the Knights (4-8, 2-7), who lost eight of nine to end the season. Running back RJ Harvey scored both UCF touchdowns, carrying most of the offensive load with a game-high 119 yards on 20 attempts.

Harvey caught a 6-yard strike from Colson with 19 seconds left to wrap up the scoring.

In a matchup of teams that came into the season with higher expectations, Utah struck first as Cole Becker toed a 37-yard field goal at the 6:52 mark of the first quarter. That came six plays after Logan Fano recovered a Rizk fumble at the UCF 46.
The Utes’ defense was at it again in the second quarter, coming up with their second pick-six in as many games. This time, it was Barton picking off Rizk and lugging it 60 yards for a 10-0 advantage with 7:45 left.

The Knights responded with an 89-yard touchdown drive that Harvey finished on a 5-yard run with 3:25 left for his 24th score this seaspm and the 47th touchdown of his career, a new school record. But Utah got a 24-yard field goal from Trey Coleman to take a 13-7 lead to the half.

–Field Level Media

Nov 9, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; UCF Knights running back RJ Harvey (7) delivers a stiff arm to Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Keith Abney II (1) during the second half at Mountain America Stadium, Home of the ASU Sun Devils. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

UCF, Utah conclude underwhelming seasons

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Utah and UCF will meet in Orlando on Friday to conclude seasons that each team undoubtedly hoped would be far more successful.

The Black Friday game ends the first Big 12 season for the Utes (4-7, 1-7) and the second for the Knights (4-7, 2-6).

Utah was a drive away from staying in the race for bowl eligibility Saturday before then-No. 22 Iowa State marched 75 yards late in the fourth quarter to defeat the Utes 31-28. With the loss, Utah has dropped seven games in a row, following a 4-0 start to the season.

The Utes’ offense scored one touchdown while the defense and special teams each contributed one, including an interception returned 87 yards by Lander Barton.

Friday, it will be the tale of the immovable object against the unstoppable force, with Utah’s defense sitting tied for third in the conference in points allowed (21.3) and giving up the third-fewest yards per game (325.2).

“They play really good defense. They hold onto the football and we’re going to have to do a good job on special teams. They’re really good on special teams, too,” said UCF coach Gus Malzahn. “But really, it’s as simple as … trying to win this game for our seniors.”

On the other side of the field, UCF leads all Power Four schools in rushing per game, averaging 254.9 yards behind senior RJ Harvey. He averages 6.9 yards per carry and leads the Big 12 with 1,458 rushing yards on the season.

“They’re running it for over 250 a week and another couple hundred throwing the ball,” said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. “Scoring points, good on third down, good in the red zone, so it’ll be a challenge for our defense this week to face that rushing attack.”

The Knights are 1-7 in their past eight games, with their only win coming against Arizona. Last Saturday at West Virginia, UCF fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter and couldn’t catch up in a 31-21 loss.

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Rodney Gallagher III (24) makes a catch for a touchdown against the UCF Knights during the second quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

West Virginia knocks off UCF for second straight season

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CJ Donaldson Jr. rushed for two touchdowns as West Virginia became bowl eligible with a 31-21 win over UCF Knights in the Big 12 matchup Saturday in Morgantown, W.Va.

The third-leading rusher for the Mountaineers (6-5, 5-3 Big 12), Donaldson scored twice in just over a half, giving him a team-high nine touchdowns, as the home team forged a 28-7 lead that the Knights (4-7, 2-6) couldn’t overcome.

The junior running back from Miami carried 19 times for 96 yards. Jahiem White had 12 carries for 54 yards and a score.

In his team’s second consecutive win against the Knights, Garrett Greene went 13 of 21 passing for 118 yards with a score to Rodney Gallagher III. The senior quarterback rushed 18 times for 49 yards.

The Mountaineers became bowl eligible for the fourth time under coach Neal Brown.

Eliminated from bowl contention for the first time since 2015, UCF received a game-high 130 yards on 16 carries from conference-leading rusher RJ Harvey, who scored two touchdowns.

Dylan Rizk was 11 of 21 passing for 172 yards and a touchdown toss to Kobe Hudson.

On its first possession, the Mountaineers traveled 68 yards on eight plays, capping it when Donaldson plunged in from 1 yard out at 10:34. White later produced a short scoring run inside the quarter’s final two minutes.

UCF came alive in the second quarter and got a key fourth-and-3 conversion from backup quarterback Jacurri Brown on a 4-yard run. On the next play, Harvey rambled in from 2 yards at 8:37.

However, with just 15 seconds remaining in the half, a 71-yard drive ended with Greene connecting with Gallagher from 12 yards for a 21-7 cushion.

The home side tacked on another score to open the second half when White’s 35-yard scamper set up Donaldson’s second score from 1 yard out at 12:10 for a three-score edge.

UCF turned to the air trailing 28-7, and Rizk lofted a perfect 45-yard strike to Hudson at 5:38.

At 12:15 of the fourth, West Virginia kicker Michael Hayes II nailed a 35-yard field goal, but Harvey’s second tally, a 9-yarder, made it 31-21 with 5:20 remaining.

A failed onside kick then allowed the Mountaineers to run out the clock.

–Field Level Media

UCF Knights running back RJ Harvey (7) runs with the ball for a first down against Iowa State during the first quarter in the week-8 NCAA football at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Ames, Iowa.

UCF must win at West Virginia to be in bowl picture

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With bowl bids looming, Big 12 foes UCF and West Virginia meet to shore up their postseason chances on Saturday in Morgantown, W.Va.

More pressure exists for UCF (4-6, 2-5), which is on its fourth starting quarterback of the season. Coach Gus Malzahn has shuffled from KJ Jefferson, who started the first five games, to EJ Colson, then Jacurri Brown, who lost the job after throwing four interceptions in losses against BYU and Iowa State.

Malzahn has placed the ball in the hands of Dylan Rizk, a Florida native who completed 44 of 59 passes for 523 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in a 35-31 loss at Arizona State and a 56-12 home win over Arizona.

The latter is UCF’s only win in the past seven outings.

The Knights’ offense revolves around the run game, starting with RJ Harvey, the leading rusher in the Big 12. He has amassed 1,328 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven 100-yard games.

To achieve bowl eligibility, the Knights roll out of the bye week in a must-win matchup at West Virginia, then also win their home finale against struggling Utah.

“We’re focused on this game, not the next game,” Malzahn said Monday. “(We’re) going to a tough place to play, there’s no doubt about it. They’re a team that’s similar to us that got after us pretty good last year.”

The Mountaineers (5-5, 4-3) beat UCF 41-28 in Orlando last season.

In that win, quarterback Garrett Greene rushed for three scores and completed 14 of 23 pass attempts for 156 yards.

This season, the senior from Florida has passed for 1,589 yards with 11 TDs and nine interceptions and rushed for 600 yards and five scores.

West Virginia enters the matchup on a down note, losing 49-35 at home to Baylor last Saturday.

Due to proximity, Mountaineers coach Neal Brown knows Malzahn well from their days coaching in Alabama, when Brown led Troy and Malzahn walked the sidelines at Auburn.

“Coach Malzahn wants to run the football,” Brown said Monday. “They’re one of the top rushing offenses in the country. It starts with their running back, Harvey. He was really good last year, (but) he’s elite this year. Tough to tackle, makes people miss and has a great feel for their zone schemes that they’re running.”

West Virginia needs to win either against UCF or at Texas Tech in the finale on Nov. 30 to become bowl eligible.

–Field Level Media

Arizona State Sun Devils running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs for a touchdown against the Utah Utes in the fourth quarter at Mountain America Stadium.

With Cam Skattebo in question, Arizona State hosts UCF

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Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham said his top running back, Cam Skattebo, is “doubtful to questionable” to play against UCF in a Big 12 game Saturday at Tempe, Ariz.

Skattebo did not play because of an undisclosed injury in the waning minutes of the Sun Devils’ 42-21 victory at Oklahoma State last week.

“He’s not gonna practice this week,” Dillingham said during his weekly press conference Monday. “Whether he plays or not, he’s gonna make an impact on our team because he’s one of the leaders on the team.”

Skattebo is coming off his fourth Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honor this season in the game against Oklahoma State with 153 rushing yards on 23 carries and a touchdown. He also had four catches for 121 yards and two scores.

Skattebo is third in the Big 12 in rushing with 1,001 yards, which is behind UFC’s RJ Harvey (1,201) and Texas Tech’s Tahj Brooks (1,047).

Harvey rushed for 184 yards and three touchdowns in a 56-12 win last week over Arizona that snapped the Knights’ five-game losing streak.

UCF (4-5, 2-4) played its first game after coach Gus Malzahn fired defensive coordinator Ted Roof and replaced him with defensive backs coach Addison Williams and relinquished play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Tim Harris.

The Knights limited Arizona to five yards rushing on 25 carries while gaining 308 yards on 44 rushes.

Redshirt freshman Dylan Rizk made his first start and completed 20 of 25 pass attempts for 294 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Rizk will make his first road start against Arizona State (6-2, 3-2).

“I think that’s the big thing, at home it’s a different deal,” Malzahn said about Rizk. “(At home) it’s quiet, and he can articulate the things. On the road, it’s going to be loud. You know Dillingham has that place where it’s going to be loud.

“Those people are going to show up. We’re going to have to handle the noise. That will be the biggest challenge, I think, for a new starter.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 2, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights running back RJ Harvey (7) scores a touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats during the first quarter at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

New-look UCF demolishes Arizona to snap 5-game losing skid

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UCF scored touchdowns on seven consecutive possessions and tallied 602 yards in total offense in a 56-12 rout of Arizona in a Big 12 game Saturday at Orlando, Fla.

The Knights (4-5, 2-4 conference) played their first game since coach Gus Malzahn fired defensive coordinator Ted Roof and replaced him with Addison Williams, who has coached primarily defensive backs.

Malzahn also relinquished play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr. heading into the game with Arizona.

Dylan Rizk, a redshirt freshman, made the first start in his college career and completed 20 of 25 passes for 294 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Rizk also had 55 yards rushing on nine carries.

RJ Harvey rushed for 184 yards on 22 carries and scored three touchdowns.

The Knights’ Jacoby Jones finished with five catches for 106 yards and a touchdown, and Randy Pittman Jr. had five receptions for 80 yards with two TDs.

Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita was 24 of 33 for 256 passing yards and two TDs with no interceptions. Seven of those passes were caught by Chris Hunter for a total of 102 yards.

Tetairoa McMillan had six catches for 84 yards with a touchdown. He became the first Arizona receiver to have two 1,000-yard seasons in a career. McMillan totaled 1,402 yards last season and is at 1,066 this year.

Rizk completed a 48-yard Hail Mary pass to Pittman as time expired in the first half, giving UCF a 35-6 lead.

That occurred 46 seconds after Arizona (3-6, 1-5) scored its first touchdown of the game, a 24-yard pass from Fifita to Sam Olson.

Arizona cut the lead to 42-12 with 8:08 left in the third quarter on a 2-yard pass from Fifita to McMillan.

The Knights struck back fast again less than two minutes later on a 40-yard touchdown pass from Rizk to Jones.

UCF went on its run of scoring a touchdown on seven straight possessions after a missed field goal concluded its first drive.

The streak ended with a punt with 13:32 remaining.

The Knights snapped a five-game losing streak with the victory.

Arizona is now on a five-game losing streak, failing to win since upsetting then-No. 10 Utah 23-10 on Sept. 28 in Salt Lake City.

–Field Level Media

Oklahoma defensive coordinator Ted Roof before the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Texas (UT) Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Oklahoma won 34-30.

Reports: UCF fires DC Ted Roof amid losing streak

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UCF has fired defensive coordinator Ted Roof following the Knights’ fifth straight loss, multiple outlets reported Monday.

The Knights are coming off a 37-24 home setback against then No. 11 BYU on Saturday, the third time they have given up at least 37 points during the current skid.

Co-defensive coordinator Addison Williams, who is also the associate head coach on coach Gus Malzahn’s staff, will take over the defensive play-calling duties, per the reports.

Roof, 60, was in his first season at UCF. He previously worked as the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma from 2022-23 and has held the same position at several schools dating back to the mid-1990s, including UMass, Georgia Tech, Duke, Minnesota, Auburn, Penn State, Appalachian State and Vanderbilt.

Roof was the head coach at Duke from 2003-07, compiling a 6-45 record.

UCF (3-5, 1-4 Big 12) returns to action Saturday at home against Arizona (3-5, 1-4).

–Field Level Media