
Football Drops Season Finale at UCF
11/25/2023 2:06:00 PM | Football
Cougars upended by Knights, 27-13, to cap inaugural Big 12 campaign
Houston (4-8, 2-7 Big 12) quarterback Donovan Smith tallied 161 pass yards and 24 rush yards to lead the Cougars.
Houston and UCF (6-6, 3-6 Big 12) exchanged scoring drives throughout the first half. Smith led Houston on an eight-play, 75-yard drive on the opening possession of the game, throwing a forward pitch to Stephon Johnson for a 16-yard touchdown.
UCF took control in the second half with a three-play 81-yard drive to open the third quarter. That drive started with a 57-yard pass from John Rhys Plumlee to Javon Baker.
Plumlee had a big game for the Knights, completing 23 of 27 for 253 yards and rushing for 58 more. He threw for one touchdown and ran for another. R.J. Harvey rushed for 136 yards and two second-half touchdowns to lead the Knights offense.
UCF out-gained Houston 476-260 for the game and 204-74 in the second half.
Trailing by 17, Houston had a chance to score after forcing a turnover on downs near midfield. The Cougars drove near the goal line, but two five-yard penalties and a sack pinned Houston back to the 20 and forced a field goal.
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Team Stats

UH 7, UCF 0
UH - Johnson Jr.,Stephon 16 yd pass from Smith,Donovan (Martin,Jack kick) 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:26

UH 7, UCF 6
UCF - Plumlee,John Rhys 8 yd run (), 13 plays, 94 yards, TOP 04:58

UH 10, UCF 6
UH - Martin,Jack 32 yd field goal 8 plays, 60 yards, TOP 03:35

UH 10, UCF 13
UCF - Townsend,Xavier 28 yd pass from Plumlee,John Rhys (Boomer,Colton kick) 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:58

UH 10, UCF 20
UCF - Harvey,RJ 21 yd run (Boomer,Colton kick), 3 plays, 81 yards, TOP 00:53

UH 10, UCF 27
UCF - Harvey,RJ 2 yd run (Boomer,Colton kick), 7 plays, 52 yards, TOP 02:52

UH 13, UCF 27
UH - Martin,Jack 34 yd field goal 11 plays, 34 yards, TOP 07:22