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2015 UCF Knights football
ConferenceAmerican Athletic Conference
DivisionEast Division
Record0–12 (0–8 The American)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorBrent Key (1st as OC, 11th overall season)
Offensive schemePro Style, Option
Defensive coordinatorChuck Bresnahan (1st season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumBright House Networks Stadium
Seasons
← 2014
2016 →
2015 American Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
Temple x   7 – 1     10 – 4  
South Florida   6 – 2     8 – 5  
Cincinnati   4 – 4     7 – 6  
UConn   4 – 4     6 – 7  
East Carolina   3 – 5     5 – 7  
UCF   0 – 8     0 – 12  
West Division
No. 8 Houston xy$   7 – 1     13 – 1  
No. 18 Navy x   7 – 1     11 – 2  
Memphis   5 – 3     9 – 4  
Tulsa   3 – 5     6 – 7  
Tulane   1 – 7     3 – 9  
SMU   1 – 7     2 – 10  
Championship: Houston 24, Temple 13
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
As of December 31, 2015
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2015 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Knights were members of the East Division of the American Athletic Conference (The American), defending conference co-champions, and played their home games at Bright House Networks Stadium on UCF's main campus in Orlando, Florida. The Knights were led by head coach George O'Leary, who was in his 12th and final season with the team. After starting the season 0–6, O'Leary resigned as UCF's interim athletic director, a position he had held since June when Todd Stansbury left for the same position at Oregon State.[1] Following UCF's 59–10 defeat by Houston on homecoming, dropping the Knights to an 0–8 record, O'Leary resigned as head football coach. Quarterbacks coach Danny Barrett served as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.[2][3]

The 2015 season was UCF's third in the American Athletic Conference, and the first year the conference split into two divisions. This was the Knights' first season since 2011 in which they would fail to be eligible for postseason play. This campaign marks UCF's third winless season in program history (along with the 1982 and 2004 seasons).

Coming just two years after the banner BCS-bowl-winning 2013 season that saw them finish in the top 10 nationally, and a year after winning the conference for the second straight year, the 2015 season was not just a failure, but a shocking one. In the aftermath, UCF finally moved on from the O'Leary era and hired renowned offensive coordinator Scott Frost from the Oregon Ducks to be their head coach. After a 6–7 2016 bounce-back campaign, the Knights would go undefeated in 2017 and win the Peach Bowl, completing a turnaround from 0–12 to 13–0 in just two years.

Personnel

[edit]
Head Coach George O'Leary

Coaching staff

[edit]
2015 UCF Knights coaching staff

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

  • Offensive coordinator/running backs – Brent Key
  • Quarterbacks – Danny Barrett
  • Wide receivers – Sean Beckton
  • Offensive line – Allen Mogridge
  • Tight ends/h-backs – Keegan Kennedy
  • Graduate assistants – Rob Calabrese and Josh Linam
  • Offensive quality control – Sean Fitzgerald

Defensive coaches

  • Defensive coordinator/linebackers – Chuck Bresnahan
  • Safeties – Andrew Thacker
  • Cornerbacks – Travis Fisher
  • Defensive line – Lorenzo Costantini
  • Graduate assistant – Patrick Bastien and Zach Crespo
  • Defensive quality control – Mike Sims-Walker
  

Special teams

  • Special teams coordinator – Keegan Kennedy

Administrative staff

  • Athletic Director (A.D.) – George O'Leary (resigned after 6 games), Brad Stricklin (Interim)
  • Assistant A.D. for Football Operations – Marty O'Leary
  • Director of player development – Kristy Belden
  • Director of player personnel – Mike Buscemi
  • Recruiting assistant – Ryan Callaghan
  • Special assistant to head coach – Manny Messeguer

Roster

[edit]
2015 UCF Knights roster

Quarterbacks

  • 8 Tyler Harris – Redshirt freshman
  • 9 Bo Schneider – freshman
  • 12 Sean Pratt – sophomore
  • 13 Justin Holman – junior

Halfbacks

  • 17 Cedric Thompson – Redshirt senior
  • 31 Gary Demarest – Redshirt freshman
  • 32 Mario Mathis – Redshirt sophomore
  • 39 Joseph Puopolo – Redshirt senior
  • 40 Chris Larsen – Redshirt freshman
  • 42 Justin Rae – Redshirt freshman
  • 43 Aaron Cochran – freshman

Fullbacks

  • 44 Mark Messeguer – Redshirt freshman

Running backs

  • 7 Dontravious Wilson – junior
  • 27 Taj McGowan – freshman
  • 28 William Stanback – junior
  • 29 CJ Jones – Redshirt freshman
  • 37 Michael Willett – Redshirt sophomore
  • 45 Daron Humphrey – Redshirt junior

Wide receivers

  • 2 Nick Patti – Redshirt junior
  • 5 Jordan Franks – sophomore
  • 6 Tristan Payton – freshman
  • 10 Kyle Coltrain – Redshirt sophomore
  • 12 Blake Tiralosi – Redshirt junior
  • 14 Pete DiNovo – Redshirt sophomore
  • 20 Taylor Oldham – Redshirt junior
  • 21 Jamari Fye – Redshirt sophomore
  • 23 Adrian Gordon – Redshirt sophomore
  • 25 Tristan Reaves – Redshirt freshman
  • 26 Trace Ryan – Redshirt freshman
  • 80 Tre'Quan Smith – Redshirt freshman
  • 81 Chris Johnson – Redshirt sophomore
  • 82 D'erren Wilson – freshman
  • 83 Cam Stewart – freshman
  • 86 Michael Colubiale – Redshirt sophomore
  • 88 Jordan Akins – sophomore
  • 89 Hayden Jones – Redshirt junior
  

Tight ends

  • 46 Zack Laurinaitis – Redshirt freshman
  • 49 Joe Turk – freshman
  • 84 Michael Campbell – Redshirt junior
  • 87 Cal Bloom – Redshirt junior

Offensive line

  • 55 Joey Grant – Graduate Student
  • 61 Tarik Cook – Redshirt senior
  • 62 Micah Anderson – Redshirt junior
  • 63 Nick George – Redshirt freshman
  • 66 Aaron Evans – Redshirt sophomore
  • 67 Jared Warren – Redshirt sophomore
  • 68 Charles Sprenkel – Redshirt sophomore
  • 70 Luke Palmer – Redshirt freshman
  • 71 Chester Brown – Redshirt junior
  • 72 Tyler Hudanick – freshman
  • 73 Jason Rae – junior
  • 74 Jake Brown – freshman
  • 75 Tate Hernly – Redshirt sophomore
  • 76 Colby Watson – junior
  • 78 Wyatt Miller – Redshirt freshman
  • 79 Chavis Dickey – sophomore

Linebackers

  • 16 Mark Rucker – Redshirt junior
  • 34 Justin McDonald – junior
  • 40 Chequan Burkett – Redshirt sophomore
  • 41 Demeitre Brim – Redshirt junior
  • 50 Domenic Spencer – senior
  • 51 Errol Clarke – Redshirt junior
  • 52 Maurice Russell – Redshirt junior
  • 53 Quintin Hampton – freshman
  • 54 Alex Hunt – Redshirt sophomore
  • 56 Pat Jasinski – freshman
  • 57 Neal Nelson – freshman
  • 58 Marcus Foster – freshman
  

Defensive line

  • 49 Seyvon Lowry – Redshirt sophomore
  • 59 Monte Taylor – junior
  • 69 Thomas Niles – Redshirt senior
  • 90 Lance McDowdell – senior
  • 91 Joey Connors – Redshirt freshman
  • 92 Luke Adams – Redshirt junior
  • 93 Tony Guerad – Redshirt sophomore
  • 94 Demetris Anderson – Redshirt senior
  • 95 Jamiyus Pittman – sophomore
  • 96 A.J. Wooten – Redshirt freshman
  • 97 Jock Petree – Redshirt sophomore
  • 98 Brendon Hayes – freshman
  • 99 Titus Davis – freshman

Defensive backs

  • 3 Mike Rogers – freshman
  • 10 Shaquill Griffin – junior
  • 18 Shaquem Griffin – Redshirt sophomore
  • 21 Drico Johnson – Redshirt junior
  • 22 T.J. Mutcherson – Graduate Student
  • 24 D.J. Killings – junior
  • 25 Kyle Gibson – Redshirt freshman
  • 26 Brandon Scott – freshman
  • 30 Rashard Causey Jr. – freshman
  • 31 Jeremy Boykins – junior
  • 33 Tre Neal – Redshirt freshman
  • 35 Brendin Straubel – Redshirt senior
  • 38 Nevelle Clarke – freshman
  • 48 Jerod Boykins – junior
  

Punters/Kickers

  • 11 Matthew Wright – Redshirt freshman
  • 19 Donald De La Haye – freshman
  • 36 Caleb Houston – Redshirt junior
  • 47 Connor O'Sullivan – Redshirt sophomore
  • 48 Mac Loudermilk – Redshirt freshman

Snappers

  • 53 Mason Bedell – freshman
  • 54 Gage Marsil – Redshirt junior
  • 60 Caleb Perez – Redshirt freshman

Terms:

  • Freshman – A player in his first year.
  • Sophomore – A player in his second year.
  • Junior – A player in his third year.
  • Senior – A player in his fourth year.
  • Redshirt Redshirt – A player who sat out a previous season.
"2015 UCF Knights roster". UCF Athletics Association. Retrieved August 31, 2016.

Recruiting class

[edit]
US college sports recruiting information for 2015 recruits
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Rashard Causey Jr.
CB 		Miami, FL St. Thomas Aquinas 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 4.44 Jan 30, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 81
Nevelle Clarke
DB 		Coral Springs, FL JP Taravella 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) NA May 12, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: N/A
Aaron Cochran
HB 		Atlanta, GA Benjamin E. Mays High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 250 lb (110 kg) NA Feb 4, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 74
Titus Davis
DE 		Stockbridge, GA Stockbridge 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 228 lb (103 kg) 5.28 Jul 16, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Marcus Foster
OLB 		League City, TX Clear Falls 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 200 lb (91 kg) NA Jul 28, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: NR
Quintin Hampton
ILB 		Moultrie, GA Colquitt County 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 225 lb (102 kg) NA Jul 18, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 74
Brendon Hayes
DE 		New Orleans, LA Brother Martin 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 240 lb (110 kg) NA Dec 14, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: NR
Luke Hiers
OC 		Lake Wales, FL Lake Wales 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 290 lb (130 kg) 5.62 Sep 28, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 77
Tyler Hudanick
OG 		Harmony, PA Seneca Valley Senior 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 290 lb (130 kg) NA Jan 18, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: NR
Pat Jasinski
OLB 		Roswell, GA Blessed Trinity 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 5.02 Jun 18, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 75
Taj McGowan
RB 		Hallandale Beach, FL Hallandale 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 4.45 Jun 13, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 72
Neal Nelson
OLB 		Sicklerville, NJ Timber Creek 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 4.81 Jun 24, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 76
Tristan Payton
WR 		Jacksonville, FL First Coast 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 4.63 Jan 25, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 83
Bo Schneider
QB-PP 		Dallas, TX Jesuit 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 219 lb (99 kg) NA Jun 10, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 76
Brandon Scott
S 		Destrehen, LA Destrehen 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 4.5 Feb 4, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Cameron Stewart
WR 		Snellville, GA Snellville 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 4.8 Apr 15, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 80
Monte Taylor
DE 		Brooklyn, NY ASA College 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 260 lb (120 kg) NA Jan 18, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: NR
D'erron Wilson
WR 		Greenville, TX Greenville 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 4.71 Jan 25, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: NR
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 76
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

Schedule

[edit]

The 2015 schedule was officially released by The American on February 19, 2015.[4] The 2015 schedule is the first for the conference under a new permanent system developed to address expanded membership and the creation of divisions. UCF will face eight conference opponents: Cincinnati, UConn, East Carolina, Houston, South Florida, Temple, Tulane, and Tulsa. The Knights will also play four non-conference games: Florida International (C-USA), Furman (FCS), South Carolina (SEC), and Stanford (Pac-12).

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 36:00 pmFIU*
CBSSNL 14–1539,184
September 1210:30 pmat Stanford*
FS1L 7–3150,420
September 196:00 pmFurman (FCS)*
  • Bright House Networks Stadium
  • Orlando, FL
ESPN3L 15–1636,484
September 2612:00 pmat South Carolina*
ESPNUL 14–3178,411
October 312:00 pmat Tulane
ESPNewsL 31–4520,024
October 103:45 pmUConn
ESPNewsL 13–4026,669
October 177:30 pmat Temple
CBSSNL 16–3031,372
October 2412:00 pmNo. 21 Houstondagger
  • Bright House Networks Stadium
  • Orlando, FL
ESPNewsL 10–5928,350
October 3112:00 pmat Cincinnati
ESPNewsL 7–5230,131
November 712:00 pmat Tulsa
ESPNewsL 30–4516,128
November 197:30 pmEast Carolina
  • Bright House Networks Stadium
  • Orlando, FL
ESPNL 7–4423,734
November 267:30 pmSouth Florida
ESPNL 3–4425,967
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time
Source:[5]

Game summaries

[edit]

FIU

[edit]
See also: 2015 FIU Panthers football team
FIU vs. UCF – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Panthers 3 0 6615
Knights 7 7 0014

at Bright House Networks Stadium, Orlando, Florida

Game information

This was the fourth meeting between UCF and the FIU Golden Panthers, with the series tied 2–2. The Knights won the previous meeting, a 38–0 shutout at FIU in 2013. FIU got onboard first with a field goal. UCF then responded with two touchdowns by Jordan Akins to take a 14–3 lead at halftime. In the second half, the Knights were plagued with defensive struggles which allowed FIU to take the lead 15–14. UCF then set up within field goal distance with thirty-seconds left; however, a Matthew Wright field goal was blocked and FIU ran out the clock.

The loss was UCF's first to a Florida opponent since September 17, 2011, UCF's first meeting with FIU, as well as UCF's first home opener loss since 2007 to Texas. The loss also marks UCF's first home loss since September 28, 2013 to South Carolina, as well as UCF's first Thursday night loss since November 3, 2011 against Tulsa.

Stanford

[edit]
See also: 2015 Stanford Cardinal football team
UCF vs. Stanford – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Knights 0 0 077
Cardinal 0 10 71431

at Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California

  • Date: September 12, 2015
  • Game time: 10:30 PM EDT
  • Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C), Perfect
  • Game attendance: 50,240
  • Referee: Rick Loumiet (The American)
  • TV announcers (FS1): Tim Brando (play-by-play) and Spencer Tillman (color commentator)
  • Recap
Game information

This was the first meeting between UCF and the Stanford Cardinal. The trip represented the longest travel for any FBS team during the 2015 season, at 2,427 miles. The loss also results in UCF's second consecutive season starting with an 0–2 record.

Furman

[edit]
See also: 2015 Furman Paladins football team
UCF vs. Furman – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Paladins 0 7 6316
Knights 7 5 3015

at Bright House Networks Stadium, Orlando, Florida

Game information

This was the second meeting between UCF and the Furman Paladins, with the Paladins winning a 1984 game, 42–6. This was QB Bo Schneider's first career start, going 7-for-11 for 63 yards. UCF initially took a 12–0 lead, which included the first sacks of the season for defense, one of those resulting in a safety. After getting a turnover on downs, Furman scored a touchdown with 1:10 remaining in the half. At the third quarter, Tyler Harris started as QB. A few minutes into the 3rd quarter, Furman scored a 61-yard touchdown which gave them the lead 13–12. Towards the end of the quarter, UCF kicked a field goal to retake the lead 15–13. Furman responded with a 55-yard field goal to retake the lead 16–15. With forty-nine seconds remaining, QB Tyler Harris threw an interception which sealed the victory for the Paladins. The game marked the Knights first loss to an FCS team since ascending to Division I-A (FBS) in 1996 (20–1), as well as their first 0–3 start since 2004.

South Carolina

[edit]
See also: 2015 South Carolina Gamecocks football team
UCF vs. South Carolina – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Knights 0 14 0014
Gamecocks 3 5 20331

at Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, South Carolina

Game information

This was the fifth meeting between UCF and the South Carolina Gamecocks. With the loss, UCF remains winless against South Carolina. After falling behind 5–0, Bo Schneider, in his second career start, led the Knights to fourteen unanswered points to take a 14–5 lead with five minutes remaining in the second quarter. After entering halftime with a six-point lead, UCF was held scoreless in the second half. USC QB Lorenzo Nunez threw for two scores, Pharoh Cooper had two touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving, and K Elliott Fry had a field goal to give the Gamecocks a 31–14 win. The loss dropped the Knights to 0–4, the first time the team has started the season winless through four games since 2004, when UCF went 0–11.

Tulane

[edit]
See also: 2015 Tulane Green Wave football team
UCF vs. Tulane – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Knights 7 3 02131
Green Wave 7 17 14745

at Yulman Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

The game marked the seventh meeting between UCF and the Tulane Green Wave. UCF holds a 5–2 advantage against Tulane, losing for the first time in the series since 2006. The loss marks the first time UCF lost their first conference game of the season since 2009 when they fell to Southern Miss. After going ahead 7–0 with a pass from Bo Schneider to Jordan Franks, Tulane scored 24 unanswered points taking a 24–10 halftime lead. By the end of the 3rd quarter, Tulane took a 38–10 lead. Additionally, Bo Schneider was sacked 7 times for a total of 45 yards, one of those resulting in a fumble, and threw 3 interceptions, each resulting in Tulane touchdowns. Tyler Harris entered after the beginning of the 4th quarter and scored 3 touchdowns on all of his drives, each connecting to D'erren Wilson, who finished the game with 7 receptions, 114 yards, and 3 touchdowns.

UConn

[edit]
See also: 2015 UConn Huskies football team and Civil Conflict (college football game)
UConn vs. UCF – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Huskies 9 14 17040
Knights 3 0 01013

at Bright House Networks Stadium, Orlando, Florida

Game information

This was the third meeting between UCF and the UConn Huskies. UCF beat UConn in 2013 62–17 in Orlando, while in 2014, UConn upset UCF 37–29 in East Hartford. As of the start of the 2015 season, the 2014 meeting was the only conference loss for UCF since joining The American. QB Justin Holman returned for the Knights after a three-game absence following his injury against Stanford. On the first drive, Holman led the Knights seventy-three yards but UCF had to settle for a 19-yard field goal from Matthew Wright. Afterwards the Huskies dominated the Knights both defensively and offensively and scored forty unanswered points to score their second consecutive victory over UCF. Through six games, the Knights were outscored 70–3 in the third quarter. 3 turnovers doomed the Knights, including Hayden Jones accidentally stepping out of his end zone on a kickoff return and going back in to take a knee that ended up giving UConn a safety in the 1st quarter.

This loss broke UCF's thirteen game home conference win streak dating back to November 25, 2011 against UTEP. This was also the lowest home attendance for a UCF game since November 25, 2011 against UTEP with an average of 26,669 fans. The 40–13 loss became the largest loss deficit in Bright House Networks Stadium history at this point, as well as the largest home loss deficit for UCF since they fell to Pittsburgh 52–7 in 2006 in the Citrus Bowl. The Knights are one of five winless teams remaining following week seven. Two days after the game, George O'Leary announced that he was stepping down as the interim director of athletics.[1]

Temple

[edit]
See also: 2015 Temple Owls football team
UCF vs. Temple – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Knights 3 10 3016
Owls 7 7 01630

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Date: October 17, 2015
  • Game time: 7:30 PM EDT
  • Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C), Cloudy
  • Game attendance: 31,372
  • Referee: Todd LaPenta
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): Dave Ryan (play-by-play)
  • Recap

This will be the third meeting between UCF and the Temple Owls. UCF holds a 2–0 advantage, with their first victory involving a one-handed catch by JJ Worton in the final minutes of the 4th quarter, which to this day remains one of the best catches in college football. UCF then beat Temple 34–14 in Orlando in 2014, their last meeting. At the beginning of the second quarter, Temple got on top 14–3. Later on in the second quarter, UCF recorded their first interception of the season as Shaquill Griffin caught a pass by P.J. Walker and returned it for an 81-yard touchdown. At halftime, UCF trailed Temple 14–13 after a field goal by Matthew Wright. UCF then took the lead in the third quarter after another Matthew Wright field goal, 16–14. Temple, however, pulled away with two touchdowns both with 2-point conversions. 2 interceptions by Holman in the second half as well as penalties from offense ended UCF's quest for bowl eligibility for the first time since 2011.

Houston

[edit]
See also: 2015 Houston Cougars football team
Houston vs. UCF – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
#21 Cougars 7 17 28759
Knights 7 3 0010

at Bright House Networks Stadium, Orlando, Florida

This was the seventh meeting between UCF and the Houston Cougars. UCF had won the previous four games, with the two most recent victories from defensive plays, both from Brandon Alexander. The Knights had a promising opening drive, which ended on an 85-yard fumble return for Houston to take a 7–0 lead. Afterwards, Holman connected with Tristan Payton for a 46-yard touchdown, the first of Payton's career, to tie the game 7–7. After taking a 10–7 lead in the second quarter the Knights allowed 52 unanswered points. The 49-point loss is the largest home-loss in UCF history, and the 59-points allowed is the fourth-most in program history. Following the loss, UCF head football coach George O'Leary resigned.[2][3]

Cincinnati

[edit]
See also: 2015 Cincinnati Bearcats football team
UCF vs. Cincinnati – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Knights 0 0 077
Bearcats 21 14 14352

at Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

This was the first meeting between UCF and the Cincinnati Bearcats. In a disastrous first game as interim head coach, Danny Barrett's team struggled offensively and defensively against his alma mater, the Cincinnati Bearcats. Cincinnati QB Gunner Kiel managed to complete all 15 of his passes for 319 yards and 5 TDs, as defense struggled tremendously despite the second interception of the season by Shaquill Griffin. Field goals were also a struggle for UCF this game, as the Knight's two field goal attempts were all missed. CJ Jones managed to score the only points for UCF in the 4th quarter to avoid the shutout.

Tulsa

[edit]
See also: 2015 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team
UCF vs. Tulsa – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Knights 3 0 171030
Golden Hurricane 14 10 02145

at Chapman Stadium, Tulsa, Oklahoma

  • Date: November 7, 2015
  • Game time: 12:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C), Sunny
  • Game attendance: 16,128
  • Referee: Tracy Jones
  • TV: ESPNews
  • Recap

This was the ninth meeting between UCF and the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Tulsa holds a 5–3 advantage, but UCF won the most recent one in 2014 with a 31–7 blowout. UCF has yet to defeat Tulsa at H.A. Chapman Stadium. During the first quarter, Holman threw an underthrown deep pass to Tre'Quan Smith, who turned around and leaped over a Tulsa defensive back to catch the ball in midair. However, UCF trailed at halftime 24–3. UCF came alive in the third quarter and scored 2 touchdowns as well as a field goal to only trail 24–20 by the beginning of the 4th quarter, one of the touchdowns being the first of Taj McGowan's career. Additionally, defense recorded two interceptions by Brendin Straubel and Chequan Burkett, as well as a fumble forced by Tre Neal on a Tulsa kickoff return. UCF's offense ended up scoring on all of those opportunities. Despite this, Tulsa ended up pulling away with a 45–30 victory, which included a pick-six. As of this week, UCF is one of two winless teams, the other one being the Kansas Jayhawks.

East Carolina

[edit]
See also: 2015 East Carolina Pirates football team
East Carolina vs. UCF – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Pirates 14 17 13044
Knights 7 0 007

at Bright House Networks Stadium, Orlando, Florida

This was the fourteenth meeting between UCF and the East Carolina Pirates. East Carolina has a 10–4 advantage, UCF had won the last two games, the most recent being in 2014 with a Hail Mary pass in the final seconds from Justin Holman to Breshad Perriman, 32–30. UCF's first drive ended on a Tre'Quan Smith TD while Jordan Franks caught a 44-yard pass beforehand. That was the last time the Knights scored. Plagued by turnovers and injuries, including one to starting QB Justin Holman, UCF lost 44–7 to East Carolina.

South Florida

[edit]
See also: 2015 South Florida Bulls football team and South Florida–UCF football rivalry
South Florida vs. UCF – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bulls 7 17 14644
Knights 3 0 003

at Bright House Networks Stadium, Orlando, Florida

This was the seventh meeting between UCF and the South Florida Bulls in the War On I–4. USF has a 5–2 advantage. UCF had won the last two, with the most recent giving the USF Bulls their first home shutout in school history as well as UCF's first victory at Raymond James Stadium, 16–0. This was the first game since 1995 that UCF wore both black jerseys and black pants. Similar to the last game, UCF ended up scoring only on their first drive, which was a field goal by Matthew Wright. UCF then allowed 44 unanswered points by the Bulls, which gave UCF their first loss to USF since 2008, as well as their first conference loss in the series. This was the 12th loss of the season, which made UCF finish winless for the third time in their history. UCF was not alone, as the Kansas Jayhawks finished their season 0–12 as well, both teams being the only FBS teams to go winless.

References

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  1. ^ a b Whitley, David (October 12, 2015). "UCF's George O'Leary Resigns AD Job, but Is Still Football Coach". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  2. ^ a b Green, Shannon; Bianchi, Mike (October 25, 2015). "UCF Coach George O'Leary Retires, Knights Move Forward During Winless Season". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  3. ^ a b McMurphy, Brett (October 25, 2015). "George O'Leary Steps Down as UCF Knights Head Coach". ESPN. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  4. ^ "American Athletic Conference Announces 2015 Football Schedule". American Athletic Conference. February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  5. ^ "2015 UCF Knights Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
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