The Knights got on the board first in the game with a field goal, but fell behind after a UConn touchdown.
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ORLANDO, FLORIDA -UConn quarterback Bryan Shirreffs threw for 256 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score to lead the Huskies to a 40-13 victory over UCF Saturday at Bright House Networks Stadium.
Meanwhile, Shirreffs posted his fourth 200-yard passing game in his first six career starts despite being sacked five times. And with one play against the UConn Huskies, it got even worse for UCF.
It was all downhill from there for the Knights as the Huskies added two second quarter touchdowns to take a 23-3 halftime lead.
During the offseason, UConn coach Bob Diaco tried to spark life into a series which had just its third meeting Saturday. UCF wanted no part of it, saying its rivalry is with USF. It doesn’t look like the 0-5 Knights will get their first win of the season in this game.
Diaco said the trophy is “something to energize the players and staffs on both sides, hopefully energize the fan bases on both sides so that we can have a great energetic game that is classy and high character, that’s clean and with fairness”.
UCF leads the country with 29 combined games missed on offense due to injuries to starters or projected starters.
The Knights, who entered the game ranked 127th in the nation in total offense, managed just 53 total yards in the final 20 minutes of the first half. Starting quarterback Justin Holman was released by the doctors last week after breaking a finger on his throwing hand at Stanford on September 12.
Meanwhile, a Huskie offense that was averaging just under 16 points a game was rolling.
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Holman finished 27-of-50 for 255 yards, with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Nick Patti with 1:38 remaining. On the ensuing kickoff, the UCF return man thought about coming out of the end zone, but ultimately made a decision to take a knee.
