UCF - NC St ?

[E.T.]

Who watched the game ?

Looking at the stats, seems Smith was the team. UCF was shut out in the 2nd half ...

Curious of some thoughts of the game.

Go BULLS !!!

[DawgPound]

I watched the game...

*UCF scored on the first play from scrimmage.  Kevin Smith has great breakaway speed and good balance.  He is the real deal.

*In the first half, the defense looked unstoppable.  They made clean hits, were reading the offense, and were doing everything right.  They tired out at the end though.

*UCF was missing a few starters on defense due to injury, including the #1 LB and #1 CB.  The freshmen LB are going to be studs.

*Kyle Israel's arm strength has greatly improved.  Now he needs to be able to take a notch off on the deep passes(overthrew a couple of guys by a half step on deep routes).

*Drop passes were a noticable issue, but not from Rocky Ross(for a change).

*UCF needs other players to step up.  Smith will not last if he keeps getting 30+ carries a game. 

*UCF needs to be able to adjust better at halftime.  They dominated the first, but a QB change for NCState and a lack of depth caused a lot of problems.

*I can see why so many older players decided to leave.  These freshmen are really good.

Now they get two weeks off to recover and prepare for Texas, who plays ranked TCU this week.

[FreaKnight]

It really was the tale of two halves.  In the first, it seemed UCF could do no wrong in all three phases of the game which lead to the 25-3 half-time lead.  The offense was clearly led by Kevin Smith who had 19 carries for 177 yards and 2 TD's...remarkable for one half of play.  The defense played aggresive and kept NC State's talented RB's in check...which was made easier because NC State's QB play was so awful.  He was like a deer in headlights several times in that first half.

In the 2nd half, the momentum clearly shifted to NC State's favor.  UCF seemed to get very conservative in it's playcalling and when Israel did call passing plays, he missed some open receivers.  NC State adjusted and shut down the running game.  Smith had 16 carries in the 2nd half for about 40 yards.  When NC State had the ball, the new QB Harrison Beck was more effective and getting rid of the ball to their playmakers, namely Blackman and their RB's.

Utlimately, UCF's defense made enough plays to win the game...and GOL made a very contriversial call to go for 4th and 3 at the very end of the 4th quarter as opposed to kicking a 42 yard field goal (ucf was 3 for 3 on FG attempts in the game).  UCF failed to convert, turned the ball over on downs, and ended up putting a lot of pressure on the defense that was already tired from a very busy 2nd half.  At one point UCF had 5 straight drives end in 3 and outs.

[Henry Jones Jr.]

Went to h/s with Beck. He has since been named starter.

[UCF_Cardinals]

I watched the game...

*Kyle Israel's arm strength has greatly improved.  Now he needs to be able to take a notch off on the deep passes(overthrew a couple of guys by a half step on deep routes).

Israel was the weak link. Poor accuracy throughout the game. Especially in the First half, he missed wide open receivers, could have easily been a 33-3 lead, wiith two of those FG should have been sure TDs. Not to mention other mis-Qs. Israel had plenty of time to throw, and when they did get pressure even in the second half he had good presence and even scrambled well. He was just off-target today.

That, combined with Kevin Smith sitting out much of the 3rd quarter with an Ankle tweak, allowed them to come back.

[ToeJam]

did any of you guys actually go to the game.  NCSU did not shut down the run, the play calling killed the run.  The play calling in the first half was a great mix of run and pass, that was not there in the second half.  NCSU did little to shut down UCF,  UCF shut down UCF.

[UCFBeach]

Yes, I was at the game.  State made some adjustments (which for some reason we have trouble adjusting to adjustments) in their 2nd half defense.  Also, Kyle was off on his passes in the 2nd half which caused many 3 and outs and Smith sat out almost the entire 3rd quarter with an ankle sprain.

[E.T.]

Congrats on the win.

[nukebull]

did any of you guys actually go to the game.  NCSU did not shut down the run, the play calling killed the run.  The play calling in the first half was a great mix of run and pass, that was not there in the second half.  NCSU did little to shut down UCF,  UCF shut down UCF.

40 net yards in the second half is being shut down no matter how you slice it.

[smazza]

nc state sucks