WVU Suffers Another Embarrassment, Losing to UCF 45-13

ORLANDO – With two weeks to prepare and a new freshman quarterback under center, WVU had one goal in mind while in the home of Disney World – leave with a win. But unfortunately for West Virginia, they were unable to leave Florida with the same smile most people fly home with.

The game opened with a tale of two possessions – one that saw the Mountaineers’ biggest play come thanks to a pass interference call and then a 97-yard touchdown drive to follow for UCF.

Making matters worse, UCF scored again in response to WVU turning the ball over on downs after a failed fourth and 13 attempt. Both UCF touchdowns came via big pass plays while trying to convert on fourth down.

Then, a change at quarterback turned the momentum in West Virginia’s favor to open the second quarter.

Khalil Wilkins – WVU’s starter quarterback at BYU before the bye week – entered the game to replace Scotty Fox. Wilkins led the Mountaineers on their first scoring drive of the day without even throwing a pass. Wilkins used his legs to put together a quick five-play, 1:36 possession, running for 33 yards and a touchdown.

West Virginia would hold that momentum on the order side of the ball, quickly flipped the field despite a couple long plays for UCF. WVU stopped the Knights on a fourth and short try as they were knocking on the door of a third touchdown.

WVU did threaten in the final minute of the first half, highlighted by a successful fake punt. The Mountaineers were unable to truly benefit, as Kade Hensley missed a 44-yard field goal as time expired.

The missed field goal allowed the Knights to charge on at the open of the second half. Tayven Jackson, who had 252 yards and a pair of touchdown strikes at this point, led UCF on a 92-yard scoring drive with ease. Mostly through the air, the Knights marched to the end zone in just 3:02 of game time.

And if that wasn’t bad enough, Wilkins fumbled the ball on WVU’s ensuing possession, leading to an easy scoop and score for the Knights. Before the fans could even get back to their seats after halftime, UCF blew the game wide open with a 28-7 lead early in the third quarter.

Fox returned to the game, but that did not change West Virginia’s fortunes enough. An 83-yard touchdown run by UCF running back Jaden Nixon made the final result more inevitable.

UCF would continue pouring it on before putting WVU out of their misery, 45-13.

Another blowout loss forces Rich Rodriguez to go back to the drawing board all over again. West Virginia, now 2-5 and 0-4 within the Big 12, will head back home to host TCU next week.