UCF Football: 3 takeaways from dominant ‘Space Game’ win over Memphis

3. The Knights got excellent play from the defense

The Tigers are usually one of the best scoring teams in the AAC, averaging 36.1 points per game this season prior to this contest.

UCF did a fantastic job of making last-minute adjustments once they found out Memphis was not starting pocket passer Seth Hennigan.

Memphis backup Peter Parish looked to run-first on a majority of plays, which required a massive adjustment for the Knights’ defense. They limited Memphis to just seven points, their fewest since only putting up 10 against Auburn in a bowl game in 2015.

The defense forced four Memphis turnovers, including a fumble and three interceptions — one of their best showings all season.

The Knights haven’t held someone to 7 points or fewer since Aug. 29, 2019, when they pitched a shutout against Florida A&M.

Perhaps most impressive, was the team’s ability to shut down Memphis wideout Calvin Austin III, who’s been in the conversation for one of the best receivers in college football. UCF held Austin to 44 yards — his second-lowest total receiving yards of the season.

Next up for UCF is a game at Temple, set for Oct. 30 at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN+.