Perhaps it was too much turkey or an extra slice of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving.
Whatever the reason, Central Florida appeared to be napping through the start of the game against rival Southern Florida on Friday, falling behind by a touchdown lead midway through the first quarter before scoring 28 consecutive points on their way to a 58-46 win in the latest installment of the War on I-4.
Hawaii’s Dillon Gabriel tossed four touchdown passes, finishing 22-of-36 passing with a touchdown run, and the offense made do without the team’s leading receiver in Marlon Williams (1,039 yards) and its leading rusher in Otis Anderson (614 yards), who did not make the trip to Tampa.
The Knights’ win was the fourth straight against the Bulls, evening the series 6-6.
Sophomore Gabriel finished with 336 passing yards and joined Daunte Culpepper, Ryan Schneider, Darin Hinshaw, McKenzie Milton and Blake Bortles as UCF quarterbacks with at least 7,000 career passing yards.
There was speculation injured quarterback Milton of Hawaii – a Mililani (Oahu) High alum like Gabriel – might return to action for the first time in two years on the field where he suffered a catastrophic knee injury, but it wasn’t in the cards.
“I haven’t suited up all year and I don’t see the point in going out there today for sentimental reasons,” Milton told ESPN. “For me, I don’t want to go out there until [I’m] 100% and playing at a high level. So, there’s no rush for me to get back out there on [the] field. That’s been the basis of me suiting up all year — am I 100%, and right now I’m not.”
The Bulls cut the lead to 45-38 with 10:10 left before UCF added two touchdowns.
The teams combined for 1,223 total yards — including 646 by the Bulls — and 66 first downs.
UCF now must wait until Dec. 20 before finding out its postseason destination. The Knights would prefer to stay in Florida due to COVID-19 challenges. It would limit their opportunities to Gasparilla, Cure or Boca Raton bowls.
Murschel writes for the Orlando Sentinel
