UCF Football: 3 takeaways from epic comeback win vs. Boise State

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Sep 2, 2021; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights quarterback Dillon Gabriel (11) warms up before the game against the Boise State Broncos at Bounce House. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Dillon Gabriel needed a quarter to shake off the rust

As the first quarter progressed, it looked like Dillon Gabriel had some major rust. He got the ball moving down the field relatively quickly on an early possession and put UCF in good position to take a 7-0 lead inside the Broncos’ red zone, but he threw a head-scratching pick that was returned 100 yards for a touchdown.

That seemed to haunt him a little throughout the remainder of the first quarter and halfway through the second as the offense wasn’t generating really any momentum.

Then something clicked halfway through the second quarter and the offense began to roll.

Gabriel shook off the rust and led the Knights on two touchdown drives right before halftime to pull within 10 points. He then engineered another touchdown drive to begin the third quarter and then hit Jaylon Robinson for the go-ahead touchdown. Gabriel looked like the quarterback we all expected to see when the season began.

Plus, that toughness he showed on a failed 2-point conversion as he took a big hit and got back into the game was impressive.

Gabriel finished with 318 yards and four touchdowns with two picks on 25-of-37 passing. He also rushed for 64 yards.

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