Field Level Media
Aug 29, 2019
Quarterback Brandon Wimbush was up-and-down in his debut for UCF, but it mattered little as the 17th-ranked Knights (1-0) rolled to a 62-0 rout of Florida A&M on a steamy Thursday night before a sellout crowd of 44,073 in Orlando's Spectrum Stadium.
The graduate transfer from Notre Dame passed for 168 yards and two touchdowns but completed only 12 of 23 attempts and overthrew receivers open for touchdowns three times in the first half. He also had a near interception but escaped when the defensive back dropped the ball.
True freshman Dillon Gabriel threw for three touchdowns, and redshirt freshman Quadry Jones had one as the Knights piled up 694 yards in total offense.
Running back Adrian Killins Jr. led all rushers with 106 yards on 14 carries. Wide receiver Gabriel Davis had two of UCF's six scoring receptions.
The game was virtually over in the first half, which ended with Killins scoring from a yard out as time expired in the second quarter for a 48-0 UCF lead.
The Rattlers (0-1) had more yards in penalties (106 on 12 flags) than on offense, as they finished with just 96 total yards gained.
Their most effective weapon was punter Chris Faddoul, who averaged 49.9 yards on 10 punts in the first half on his way to a 48.5 average on 11 attempts for the night.
Quarterback Ryan Stanley was 7-of-24 passing for only 52 yards before leaving the game. Backup Rasean McKay got the Rattlers in range for a late field goal, but defensive tackle Chris Deloach blocked Yahia Aly's 37-yard try.
The one downer for UCF came with 1:21 left in the third quarter when starting cornerback Brandon Moore suffered an apparent foot or leg injury and had to be carted off the field.
--Field Level Media