Blazers Fall To Knights, 42-7

Wednesday, October 6

Orlando, Fla.

8:00 PM

UAB

UCF

The UAB offense was held to 269 yards of offense at UCF.

Blazers Fall To Knights, 42-7

10/6/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football

Oct. 6, 2010

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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Troy Davis returned an interception for a touchdown, Josh Robinson picked up a fumble for a score and a ball-hawking defense helped Central Florida roll to a 42-7 win over UAB on Wednesday night.

Ronnie Weaver had 50 yards rushing and two touchdowns, and freshman quarterback Jeff Godfrey had 217 total yards in a strong Conference USA opener for the Knights (3-2, 1-0). But it was their defense that came up big in the nationally televised game.

Bryan Ellis was held to 149 yards passing with a touchdown and two interceptions for the Blazers (1-4, 0-2). He alternated at quarterback with David Isabelle.

Kemal Ishmael returned an interception of a pass by Ellis to the UAB 27-yard line early in the first quarter. Three plays later, Weaver's 4-yard touchdown gave UCF a 7-0 lead.

Godfrey's 35-yard run in the second quarter highlighted a 53-yard drive that was capped by a 2-yard touchdown run by Weaver. Junior Rob Calabrese relieved Godfrey after a hard hit, connecting on a 4-yard TD pass to Brian Watters with 4 seconds remaining in the first half that put the Knights ahead 21-0.

Two first-half fumbles cost UCF a chance to put away the game earlier, including one by Weaver on the Blazers' 2-yard line and another by Godfrey 30 yards from another score. But the Knights' blitz-happy defense - tops in Conference USA - was constantly in the backfield and had UAB scrambling.

Robinson returned Isabelle's fumble 56 yards down the sideline for a touchdown, giving UCF a 28-0 lead that was never challenged. It was quite a way to start conference play for the Knights, especially after last-minute losses to North Carolina State and Kansas State.

A 23-yard TD catch by Patrick Hearn on fourth down gave UAB its only score in the third quarter, one of the few big plays UCF's defense allowed. Davis would follow with a 29-yard interception return of a pass by Ellis that capped a highlight-reel night for the Knights defense.