It’s not that UCF Coach George O’Leary doesn’t want to open up the Golden Knights’ offense some. It’s that the Knights’ shortcomings on defense continue to be a hindrance.
UCF’s opponents have converted on 50 of 95 third-down attempts this season, keeping the defense on its heels and forcing the Knights to alter their game plan on offense to catch up.
The Knights had a great opportunity early in the fourth quarter against Rice though they trailed 27-22. But the defense failed to get a stop and the Owls scored, putting the Knights in a two-touchdown hole.
“I thought if we got the ball back at that time we could drive and have a chance to win,” O’Leary said. “Down by two touchdowns, especially the way the clock is moving now, you can’t afford to run too much in that period; you have to throw the ball.”
The Knights will have to do better this week at Houston if they hope to remain within striking distance. The Cougars are just 45-of-101 on third down, but can move down the field in a hurry; they average 426.6 yards per game on offense.
Israel likely to start
QB Kyle Israel will likely start for the second consecutive week, against Houston Saturday. Under Israel the Knights were just 5-of-14 on third down, but were 2-of-3 on fourth-down attempts.
Fans should be upset
In the stands and on Internet message boards, fans are displaying their discontent with the Knights.
UCF defensive coordinator Lance Thompson said he isn’t deaf to the fact supporters are disappointed in what they have seen this season.
“I’m not disagreeing with them,” Thompson said. “I feel the pain. . . . But the fans can’t do anything about it. The only ones that can do anything about [it] are the players and the coaches. That’s what’s on us and we understand that.”
