3 things learned from UCF’s come-from-behind win at Boise State
BOISE, Idaho — UCF pulled off a last-second, 18-16 win over Boise State, stunning a near sell-out crowd at Albertsons Stadium.
The Knights (2-0, 0-0 Big 12) held a 3-0 lead Saturday night for more than three minutes in the first quarter before trailing throughout much of the game until scoring 10 points in the final eight minutes, including the game-winning 41-yard field goal by Colton Boomer with no time on the clock.
The loss snapped a 21-game winning streak in home openers for the Broncos (0-2, 0-0 MWC), who’ve lost their first two games for the first time since 2005.
The win improved UCF to 6-6 in road games under coach Gus Malzahn.
“There were a lot of things that went against us,” he said. “Our guys kept fighting our defense did a really good job.”
Here are three things we learned from the win:
Kicker Colton Boomer was money
It was a career day for the sophomore, who connected on four field goals.
Boomer’s day began with — at the time — a career-long 50-yard field goal in the first quarter that gave the Knights their first lead. He followed that up with a 33-yard kick midway in the second quarter and a 55-yarder with 1:01 left in the first half.
“He’s one of the best kickers in college football,” said Malzahn. “It doesn’t get any tougher on that on the road.”
The kicks tied a career-best by Boomer, who connected on four field goals against Georgia Tech on Sept. 24.
The Lake Mary High product has connected on 18 of 19 (95%) field goals in his young career.
Offseason focus comes in handy
UCF worked a lot on finishing close games, particularly with a schedule featuring six road games — five in the Big 12.
So a come-from-behind win in the final seconds in front of a raucous crowd at Boise State fits the bill.
“This has been my hardest fall camp since I’ve been in college,” said receiver Kobe Hudson. “It’s been the hardest one by far. We’ve been put in a lot of positions like when we’re tired and we have got to go down there and make that play. So, I wasn’t really worried. I knew I could count on the guy next to me.”
The Knights improved to 9-4 (69%) in games decided by a touchdown or less under Malzahn through the first two seasons.
“Coach has always preached it. He’s like, there will be games that will come down to the wire throughout the season,” said defensive end Tre’mon Morris-Brash. “Every championship team he’s been a part of has had games come down to the wire. We’re not saying we were expecting it to come down to the wire but we knew adversity would come and we just had to respond.”
John Rhys Plumlee’s status is uncertain
Plumlee laid it on the line in the final drive, specifically on a 1st-and-10 at the Broncos’ 37-yard line. The quarterback scrambled to the right for a 7-yard gain but not before he was tackled awkwardly on the play.
The play was reviewed for targeting but officials waived any penalty.
Malzahn wasn’t happy about the lack of calls.
“That blows my mind,” he said. “I don’t know what targeting is anymore.”
As his teammates celebrated the win on the field, Plumlee made his way to the locker room with the help of trainers.
No official word from the school about his status.
Plumlee was 16 of 24 for 272 passing yards with two interceptions along with 73 rushing yards. The fifth-year starter has thrown four interceptions through the first two games. Both picks came on plays where receivers bobbled the ball into the hands of the defense.
Email Matt Murschel at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on X at @osmattmurschel.