The 22nd-ranked UCF football team would not be denied on Saturday, as the Knights earned a 46-39 victory against South Florida at Raymond James Stadium to clinch a spot in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship game next weekend.
Following a great first half in which UCF led 28-7 at the break, South Florida countered in the second half and took the lead 39-38 in the fourth quarter, but the Knights had other thoughts. With the drive starting on the 18-yard line, UCF needed to move the ball the length of the field and did just.
Wide receiver Javon Baker made a great catch on a deep pass down the middle for a 41-yard gain and a plays later tight end Alec Holler made a fantastic one-handed grab in the endzone to give UCF a 47-49 lead after the two-point conversion.
"I'm so proud of our team, it's hard to win in college football rivalry games. There's nothing like it and we got their best," said UCF head coach Gus Malzahn. "We were in control of the game in the first half, but we had three turnovers in the second half. Our guys just kept fighting and we found a way to win."