UCF Football: Knights clinch AAC and await postseason fate

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 01: Jake Hescock #88 of the UCF Knights catches a touchdown pass over Curtis Akins #7 of the Memphis Tigers during the second quarter of the American Athletic Championship at Spectrum Stadium on December 01, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

2 of 4

(Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

Darrell Henderson Jr. is Memphis’ offense

Well, the game did not begin how UCF had hoped. The opening drive of the game took less than two minutes and concluded with a 62-yard touchdown run by Memphis’ Darrell Henderson Jr. This run was his 11th rush of more than 40 yards this season. To highlight how impressive the statistic, no other FBS player has even more than seven of such rushes.

On the second play of Memphis’ following drive, Henderson took a direct snap out of the “Wildcat” formation and scored his second touchdown of the game.

He nearly had a third touchdown run of 40 yards two possessions later, but was called back by a holding penalty.

Henderson continued his destruction of his UCF defense by scoring for a third time on a ridiculous 82-yard touchdown run halfway through the second quarter. By the end of the first half, Henderson had 207 yards on 10 carries for three touchdowns. He also had a four-yard touchdown pass, for a fourth total touchdown.

Henderson will be a strong contender for the Doak Walker Award, which is given to the best running back in college football. Were it not for Henderson, Memphis would be nowhere near the team they were this season.

Home/UCF Knights