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No. 22 UCF survived an upset try from rival South Florida within the Battle for I-4 with a miraculous one-handed landing with 20 seconds left to drag off a 46-39 victory. The come-from-behind victory earned UCF a visit to the AAC Championship Recreation.
Going through third-and-8 on the USF 14-yard line, UCF quarterback Mikey Keene dropped again and launched a throw to the close to nook of the tip zone. Tight finish Alec Holler rotated and tracked the ball on the final second, and someway got here down with a season-saving catch for the Knights.
South Florida had 20 seconds remaining to arrange a Hail Mary and bought all the way in which to the UCF 31-yard line. The Bulls launched a move to 6-foot-4 receiver Holden Willis, who was capable of recover from the protection. Sadly for USF, there was simply an excessive amount of visitors for Willis to return down with the ball.
UCF was a 20-point favourite towards its rival, which got here into the ultimate week of the common season sporting a 1-10 report. The Knights simply needed to win as large favorites towards South Florida to clinch a spot in its ultimate AAC Championship Recreation earlier than leaving for the Huge 12 in 2023. A loss would have despatched two-time defending champion Cincinnati to the ultimate as an alternative.
Quarterback John Rhys Plumlee accomplished all 9 move makes an attempt for 73 yards, rushed for 133 yards and added three complete touchdowns earlier than leaving with an damage. South Florida ran for 298 yards and 4 touchdowns behind 144 yards from working again Brian Battie. Nonetheless, the Bulls will merely should marvel what may have been as their season ends at 1-11 after firing coach Jeff Scott.
UCF now travels to New Orleans and can face off towards No. 19 Tulane within the AAC Championship Recreation on Saturday, Dec. 3.
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