UCF Runs past Georgia State Despite 86 Passing Yards
Georgia State gained 485 yards to UCF's 390 and lost by 14. The Panthers threw three interceptions, UCF threw one, and the Knights ran for 304 yards while passing for 86. Both teams finished 2-1.
UCF opened fast. Duke Watson ran 14 yards for the first score, Will Stone kicked a field goal, and Keyone Jenkins hit Waden Charles from 30 yards to make it 17-7 late in the first quarter. Georgia State then ran off 14 straight points. Cameran Brown threw a 6-yard touchdown to Rodshaun Dorsey (his second of the day to him) and Qwantavius Wiggins broke a 78-yard run, and the Panthers led 21-17. A Stone field goal made it 21-20, and Samer Layous answered with a 22-yarder on the last play of the half for 24-20.
Then Watson took over. His 63-yard run 18 seconds into the third quarter put UCF back in front at 27-24, Georgia State tied it at 27 with a 35-yard Layous field goal, and Jenkins ran in from 4 yards with 33 seconds left in the third for 34-27. The lead changed hands twice and was tied once. A Stone field goal made it 37-27, Layous hit from 49 yards at 1:52, and Jenkins scored again from 3 yards with 1:24 left for the 44-30 final.
It is a strange stat line for a winner. Jenkins was 7 of 17 for 86 yards and still accounted for three touchdowns (one passing, two rushing), and UCF's whole day was Watson, 14 carries for 177 yards and two touchdowns. Brown, on the other side, threw for 282 yards and two scores and was picked off twice.