UCF Football: 3 takeaways from blowout win over East Carolina

UCF football went down early on the road against East Carolina, but bounced back to put up 41 straight points, cruising to a win.

The 2020 season is off to a quick start for UCF and after pulling off a big win over a motivated Georgia Tech team a week ago, the Knights took on East Carolina in a road AAC battle and pulled off a blowout victory.

The Pirates reached the end zone first, but after that, it was all Central Florida. The Knights put up 41 straight points after that and finished with a monster win, opening AAC play with a 1-0 record.

What’d we learn from UCF’s big win over East Carolina?

3. Defense was a pleasant surprise

When you think of UCF football, the first thing that comes to mind is explosive offense. On Saturday, we saw plenty of that high-octane offense, but the defense also stepped up to the plate and made life difficult for an East Carolina offense that also has been known to put up the points.

Holton Ahlers is one of the most prolific passers in the AAC, but UCF went on the road and held him in check. He finished with just 215 yards and three touchdowns on 14-of-29 passing. He also threw an interception.

Not just that, but the Knights didn’t give up many explosive plays and outside of an opening drive in which the Pirates took a 7-0 lead, there was not much consistent movement down the field by the East Carolina offense.

If this UCF defense can match its offense, the AAC is in trouble.