UCF Football: 3 takeaways from statement win over Stanford

1. UCF defense showed up in a big way

When people think about UCF, they tend to think about the high-powered Josh Heupel-coached offense. Given the way the Knights have featured among the top-scoring teams in the country the past few years, it is no wonder that this is where most people’s minds wander first. But against a Stanford team led by veteran quarterback K.J. Costello, the Knights made the Cardinal look downright silly when they had the football.

Stanford was able to muster up 10 points in the second half, pulling things closer by the final whistle. But the Cardinal came nowhere near coming under the point spread as 10-point underdogs, as the Knights rendered them unable to make much out of a decided advantage in time of possession.

Costello managed to compile just 199 yards as he finished with a sub-50-percent completion rate on 21-of-44 passing. The Cardinal quarterback tossed one touchdown, but he also threw an interception that Aaron Robinson returned to the shadow of the goal line for Greg McCrae to punch in on the ensuing play.

Stanford’s running game was also held largely in check. Austin Jones led the way with 65 yards and a touchdown on seven carries, while Cameron Scarlett chipped in 12 touches for 45 yards. As a group, UCF allowed Stanford to rack up only 116 total rushing yards on 23 attempts. It was a solid performance that bodes well for the Knights moving forward into the Pitt contest and the heart of their American Athletic Conference schedule.