Orlando, FL — The No. 12 UCF Knights (8-0, 5-0 AAC) remained undefeated on the season as they took down the Temple Owls (5-4, 4-1 AAC) Thursday night, 52-40. UCF extended the nation’s longest win streak to 21-straight games dating back to last year.
The Owls didn’t go down without a fight, though, despite the constant roaring from the crowd. The hometown Knights took on their opponent in front of a full house and charged up student section.
Temple got off to a hot start, taking an early lead and striking back with every UCF score. In fact, the Owls ultimately held the lead 34-28 lead over the Knights at intermission.
But UCF came out of halftime with a renewed energy, striking early to take a 35-34 lead with a little more than 13 minutes remaining in the third quarter. They continued their attack to push the lead to 42-34 following a touchdown pass to tight end Michael Colubiale.
The Knights held the Owls to a scoreless quarter; making it the fifth time this season they didn’t allow their opponent any points in the third period.
Despite a scoreless frame, Temple wasn’t ready to throw in the towel just yet. They cut the lead to 42-40 with 9:44 left to go in the game. Hoping to tie the game, the Owls tried a two-point conversion, however, was stopped short of the goal line.
The Knights didn’t waste any time answering Temple’s drive, responding with a score of their own to push the lead out to 49-40 with just over eight minutes left in the game.
As the fourth continued to wind down, UCF relied on its lockdown defense to get key stops and keep the Owls at bay. The Knights scored one more time to seal its victory, 52-40, and avoid the upset.
The UCF Knights will take on Navy at home on Nov. 10th. The Temple Owls will play the same day at Houston.
