UCF Knights vs. Colorado Buffaloes Match Series Analysis: 2024 College Football Season

The UCF Knights and Colorado Buffaloes met once during the 2024 college football regular season, producing a thrilling Big 12 encounter where Colorado’s passing precision overcame UCF’s total yardage edge, exacerbated by the Knights’ costly turnovers. This article offers an in-depth analysis of the matchup, including player statistics, game recap, and head-to-head insights, based on verified data from ESPN, UCFKnights.com, CUBuffs.com, and CBS Sports. The game was held on September 28, 2024, marking the first-ever meeting between the programs. We detail key performances, pivotal sequences, and team contexts with precise, sourced information.

Game Highlights

• Sport: Football
• League: NCAA Division I FBS (Big 12 Conference)
• Matchup: UCF Knights Football vs Colorado Buffaloes Football Match Player Stats
• Game Covered:
  • Game 1: September 28, 2024
• Series Result: Colorado won the season series 1–0

Series Overview: UCF Knights vs. Colorado Buffaloes, 2024 College Football Season

The UCF Knights and Colorado Buffaloes faced off once in the 2024 season, with Colorado earning a decisive 48-21 victory on September 28 at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The debut matchup between the teams emphasized Colorado’s efficient aerial game, driven by Shedeur Sanders’ 290 passing yards and three touchdowns, against UCF’s dynamic but turnover-riddled offense led by KJ Jefferson. UCF outgained Colorado 461-418 in total yards but committed four turnovers—three in the red zone—that shifted momentum, enabling Colorado to score on five of six red-zone trips. Quick results summary:

• Game 1 (September 28, 2024): Colorado Buffaloes 48, UCF Knights 21

Colorado took the series 1-0, succeeding on 8-of-14 third downs (57.1%) compared to UCF’s 6-of-18 (33.3%), while holding a slight edge in time of possession at 29:57 to UCF’s 30:03.

Game 1: Colorado Buffaloes 48, UCF Knights 21 (September 28, 2024)

Game Summary

No. 22 Colorado cruised to a 48-21 win over UCF on September 28, 2024, in Orlando, Florida, matching their full 2023 victory total (4) in just five games. Shedeur Sanders carved up UCF’s defense for 290 passing yards and three scores, while the Buffaloes’ opportunistic unit forced four turnovers—including two red-zone interceptions of KJ Jefferson and a 95-yard fumble return touchdown—to spark a dominant performance. UCF, buoyed by a dramatic 21-point comeback against TCU the previous week, generated 461 yards (177 rushing, 284 passing) but faltered in the red zone (2-of-5 conversions), with seven penalties for 80 yards adding to the woes. Colorado’s 128 rushing yards supported their passing attack, limiting UCF’s No. 1-ranked rushing offense (375.7 YPG entering) to a season-low 177 yards.

Key Player Stats: Colorado Buffaloes

• Shedeur Sanders (QB): 28-for-35 passing (80.0%), 290 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT, 3 carries for 9 yards, 0 fumbles, 1 sack (-7 yards), 34 minutes. Sanders’ touchdowns included a 13-yard pass to Travis Hunter (1Q, 10:15), a 47-yard strike to Will Sheppard (2Q, 7:50), and a 10-yard score to LaJohntay Wester (2Q, 0:45); his early interception was nullified by UCF’s subsequent turnover at the goal line.
• Dallan Hayden (RB): 15 carries for 87 yards (5.8 avg), 2 TD (14-yard run, 2Q, 12:21; 1-yard run, 4Q, 9:45), 0 fumbles, 1 reception for 5 yards, 28 minutes. Hayden’s first-half touchdown concluded a 75-yard drive, extending the lead to 21-7.
• LaJohntay Wester (WR): 8 receptions for 109 yards (13.6 avg), 1 TD (10-yard reception, 2Q, 0:45), 0 carries, 32 minutes. Wester’s halftime score from Sanders widened the advantage to 27-14.
• Travis Hunter (WR/CB): 9 receptions for 89 yards (9.9 avg), 2 TD (13-yard reception, 1Q, 10:15; 2-yard reception, 3Q, 5:45), 5 tackles (3 solo), 1 INT (2Q, end zone), 45 minutes (two-way standout). Hunter caught all nine targets and snagged a goal-line interception to thwart UCF.
• Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig (DB): 6 tackles (4 solo), 1 fumble recovery TD (95-yard return, 4Q, 5:05), 1 INT (4Q), 0 sacks, 38 minutes. Silmon-Craig’s strip and return off Jefferson’s fumble capped the scoring at 48-21.

Inactives: No major inactives reported; the full depth chart was available with no key absences.

Team Stats: 418 total yards (128 rushing, 290 passing), 26 first downs, 8/14 third downs (57.1%), 0/1 fourth downs (0.0%), 10 penalties for 75 yards, 4 turnovers forced (2 INT, 1 fumble recovered for TD, 1 denied score), 29:57 time of possession, 21 points allowed. Defensive takeaways and Sanders’ precision overcame the yardage deficit.

Key Player Stats: UCF Knights

• KJ Jefferson (QB): 20-for-35 passing (57.1%), 284 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT, 20 carries for 76 yards, 1 rush TD (7-yard run, 2Q, 2:45), 1 fumble lost, 3 sacks (-22 yards), 36 minutes. Jefferson’s highlights included a 75-yard TD pass to RJ Harvey (1Q, 11:22) and a 15-yard score to Xavier Townsend (3Q, 8:30), but two interceptions (one in the end zone) and a fumble derailed drives.
• RJ Harvey (RB): 18 carries for 83 yards (4.6 avg), 0 TD, 0 fumbles, 4 receptions for 104 yards (26.0 avg), 1 TD (75-yard reception, 1Q, 11:22), 32 minutes. Harvey’s long touchdown tied the game at 7-7 early, and his 104 receiving yards led UCF.
• Peny Boone (RB): 12 carries for 67 yards (5.6 avg), 0 TD, 0 fumbles, 2 receptions for 15 yards, 25 minutes. Boone backed Harvey in a 177-yard rushing total, UCF’s lowest since Week 1.
• Xavier Townsend (WR): 5 receptions for 59 yards (11.8 avg), 1 TD (15-yard reception, 3Q, 8:30), 0 carries, 28 minutes. Townsend’s score concluded an 85-yard drive, narrowing the gap to 34-21.
• Deshawn Pace (LB): 1 INT (1Q, 14:10), 7 tackles (5 solo), 1 sack, 0 fumbles, 42 minutes. Pace’s interception of Sanders provided prime field position at the Colorado 15, though UCF couldn’t capitalize.

Inactives: John Walker (DT, knee, sidelined since fall camp).

Team Stats: 461 total yards (177 rushing, 284 passing), 24 first downs, 6/18 third downs (33.3%), 3/5 fourth downs (60.0%), 7 penalties for 80 yards, 4 turnovers (2 INT, 1 fumble lost returned for TD, 1 stalled drive), 30:03 time of possession, 48 points allowed. Solid yardage was undermined by red-zone inefficiency (2-of-5 inside the 20).

Critical Moments

• First Quarter (COLO 7, UCF 7): Pace’s INT of Sanders (14:10) gave UCF the ball at the Colorado 15, but they stalled without points. Sanders’ 13-yard TD pass to Hunter (10:15) put Colorado up 7-0. Jefferson’s 75-yard TD to Harvey (11:22) evened it at 7-7 (3:38).

• Second Quarter (COLO 27, UCF 14): Hayden’s 14-yard TD run (12:21) capped a 75-yard drive for 14-7. Jefferson’s 7-yard rush TD (2:45) made it 21-14. Colorado’s field goals—a 28-yarder (0:45) and 50-yarder (0:02)—pushed the halftime lead to 27-14.

• Third Quarter (COLO 34, UCF 21): Sanders’ 2-yard TD pass to Hunter (5:45) extended to 34-14. Jefferson’s 15-yard TD to Townsend (8:30) countered, trimming it to 34-21 on an 85-yard drive.

• Fourth Quarter (COLO 48, UCF 21): Silmon-Craig’s 95-yard fumble return TD (5:05) from Jefferson’s strip made it 41-21. Hayden’s 1-yard TD run (9:45) concluded scoring at 48-21; UCF’s last drive failed on fourth down.

Head-to-Head Analysis

The UCF Knights and Colorado Buffaloes met for the first time in program history on September 28, 2024, with Colorado establishing a 1-0 series lead. In the contest, Colorado’s advantages were evident in:

• Turnover Margin: +4 (four forced vs. none allowed), featuring two red-zone interceptions that cost UCF 14 points.
• Red-Zone Execution: 5-of-6 trips (83.3%) vs. UCF’s 2-of-5 (40.0%), with three Knights turnovers inside the 20.
• Third-Down Success: 8-of-14 (57.1%) to UCF’s 6-of-18 (33.3%), generating 26 first downs to UCF’s 24.

UCF’s superior yardage (461-418) underscored untapped potential, but red-zone miscues and penalties proved insurmountable.

Series Standouts

Colorado Buffaloes

• Shedeur Sanders: 290 passing yards, 3 TD (80.0% completion), masterminding a 418-yard output despite the yardage deficit.
• Travis Hunter: 89 receiving yards, 2 TD (nine receptions), plus 1 INT defensively, highlighting two-way prowess.
• Dallan Hayden: 87 rushing yards, 2 TD, supporting a 128-yard ground effort.

UCF Knights

• KJ Jefferson: 284 passing yards, 2 TD, 1 rush TD (20 carries for 76 yards), in a 461-yard showing marred by 2 INT and a fumble.
• RJ Harvey: 83 rushing yards, 104 receiving yards, 1 TD (75-yard reception), pacing UCF’s totals.
• Deshawn Pace: 1 INT, 7 tackles, 1 sack, generating early pressure on Sanders.

Team Performance Context

Colorado Buffaloes (9-4 overall, 6-3 Big 12)

Colorado wrapped 9-4 overall and 6-3 in the Big 12, clinching a bowl bid and building on a 4-8 2023 under Deion Sanders. Offense averaged 36.2 PPG, fueled by Sanders (3,926 passing yards, 35 TD, 74.3% completion) and Hunter (1,152 receiving yards, 14 TD); defense yielded 27.1 PPG. This win kicked off a 5-1 conference surge.

UCF Knights (4-8 overall, 2-7 Big 12)

UCF closed 4-8 overall and 2-7 in the Big 12, absent from bowls since 2015 and resulting in coach Gus Malzahn’s shift to Florida State as OC. Rushing ranked No. 1 nationally entering (375.7 YPG), spearheaded by Harvey (1,527 yards, 22 TD), but turnovers (1.5 per game) and 33.3% third-down rate hampered efforts.

Injury and Roster Notes

• Colorado Buffaloes: No significant injuries; Hunter thrived across offense and defense.
• UCF Knights: John Walker (DT, knee) out since fall camp; Jefferson and CB Brandon Adams suited up despite earlier concerns.

Conclusion

The Colorado Buffaloes bested the UCF Knights 48-21 in their inaugural 2024 college football clash on September 28, propelled by Sanders’ 290 passing yards and three TDs, complemented by four defensive takeaways, while UCF’s Jefferson tallied 284 yards and two scores but succumbed to four turnovers. The result propelled Colorado’s ascent and spotlighted UCF’s red-zone struggles. For in-depth box scores and recaps, refer to ESPN, UCFKnights.com, CUBuffs.com, or CBS Sports.

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