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UCF Football: 3 takeaways from win over Marshall in Gasparilla Bowl

By Zach Bigalke

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 23: Head coach Josh Heupel of the UCF Knights looks on during the first quarter against the Marshall Thundering Herd at the Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on December 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 23: Head coach Josh Heupel of the UCF Knights looks on during the first quarter against the Marshall Thundering Herd at the Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on December 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

3. The UCF defense came to play

Fewer than eight minutes into the Gasparilla Bowl, UCF already had two defensive touchdowns to their name. On the opening drive, Marshall went three-and-behind as Richie Grant picked off Isaiah Green’s third-down pass on a tipped ball and ran it back 39 yards for a score.

https://twitter.com/ESPNCFB/status/1209200644533497856

Marshall turned over the ball on the ensuing drive, though that failed to amount to any points for the Knights. Before the first quarter ended, though, the Knights had another defensive score after a tipped lateral was scooped up by Tre’Mon Morris-Brash and returned 45 yards for a second touchdown.

https://twitter.com/ESPNCFB/status/1209205448353517568

Things calmed down after UCF forced a fourth turnover right at the start of the second quarter. The Knights made it to halftime up 24-7 thanks in large part to the defensive unit, who stepped up and made huge plays to get the ball back for their offense.

UCF’s defense let off a bit in the second half, as they allowed the Thundering Herd to keep pace. They had plenty of slack to work with, though, after such a dominant performance in the first 30 minutes of the game. By the end of the contest, Marshall mustered 351 yards of offense but also coughed up five total turnovers as Isaiah Green and crew struggled to find any momentum .

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