UCF runs wild, prevails 38-31 over Tulane in top-25 showdown; 3 takeaways

UCF spoiled Tulane's biggest home game in the better part of a century Saturday, and seized control within the American Athletic Conference in the process.

The Knights (8-2, 5-1) ran for 336 yards, led by returning quarterback John Rhys Plumlee, in a 38-31 victory in a battle of top-25 teams. UCF, ranked 22nd by the College Football Playoff's selection committee, can clinch home-field advantage in the AAC championship game with wins the next two Saturdays — home against Navy, and on the road against South Florida in the last War on I-4 for the foreseeable future.

Hosting its first top-25 matchup since 1949, No. 17 Tulane (8-2, 5-1) was the last unbeaten team standing in AAC play. The Green Wave led the league in total defense and scoring defense entering the afternoon, allowing 127.0 rushing yards per game on the season.

"We need to run, and we need to bloody their nose. That's just the mindset we've had the last couple games," UCF offensive lineman Samuel Jackson said. "That's what we are going to come do; we're going to be more physical than the other team."

Game recap: No. 22 UCF Knights hold off No. 17 Tulane Green Wave 38-31

Here are three takeaways from an important afternoon in the Big Easy.

1. John Rhys Plumlee starts, storms out of the gate

Gus Malzahn chose Plumlee as UCF's starting signal-caller near the end of August, and went back to the dual-threat senior in spite of Mikey Keene's impressive six-quarter spell in relief. Plumlee, who suffered a concussion in the second quarter against Cincinnati, sat out last week's win at Memphis despite returning to practice on a limited basis and suiting up in full uniform.

"You don't lose your position with an injury," Malzahn said. "That's the way that I went about it. Mikey is a starter within his own right.

"We're going to do whatever it takes to win at this point. John Rhys, the way he ran the ball, changed the game early."

Plumlee broke off two explosive runs in the Knights' opening pair of possessions. He raced 47 yards to the Green Wave's 3, culminating in Colton Boomer's 25-yard field goal, and then finished a 67-yard designed draw to put UCF up 10-0 just over four minutes into the contest.

On the day, he led the rushing attack with 176 yards and two scores on 18 carries. It's the highest single-game rushing total for a quarterback in program history; Vic Penn held the high mark previously at 122 yards, set in 1999 against Middle Tennessee State.

"That was our staple, and that was something we wanted to hit on," Plumlee said of the rushing attack. "That was the game plan going in, and it was all about execution — riding on the backs of those guys up front. They did an unbelievable job moving people when they needed to be moved, double-teaming guys the way they should. They make it easy."

Plumlee's passing results, on a windy day in New Orleans, were mixed. He completed 17 of 30 attempts for 132 yards and one touchdown — an 8-yard slant to Javon Baker that established a three-score lead in the second quarter.

2. Isaiah Bowser closes the game when it counts

Plumlee ignited a wild early tempo with his game-breaking sprints, but Isaiah Bowser delivered when called upon in the closer role.

Tulane pulled with 31-24 with 11:39 to play when Michael Pratt tossed a 2-yard touchdown to Reggie Brown on a playaction rollout. UCF needed to respond — not only by scoring, but draining as much time as possible.

That plan nearly went out the window after four plays. Facing 4th-and-inches, Bowser lined up in the Wildcat — the Knights' preferred short-yardage package. Yet instead of plowing ahead, he dropped back to throw and looked deep for Plumlee, a wide receiver during part of his Ole Miss tenure.

Bowser's heave fell incomplete, but Tulane's Jarius Monroe dragged Plumlee down and was flagged for pass interference.

"I put that on the money, I'm not going to lie," Bowser said. "If the corner wouldn't have held him, (Plumlee) would have made that play."

A fifth-year senior, Bowser touched the ball 13 times on UCF's signature 16-play, 75-yard march into the end zone. The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder snagged a 9-yard reception to move the chains on 3rd-and-5 and churned out 40 yards on the ground — the last being an easy stroll into the end zone for his team-leading 13th touchdown, the final touch on a drive that ate 8:07 off the clock.

"Credit to the O-line. They were able to push them boys, give me the holes to get through there," Bowser said. "That was the goal on that last drive — pound them, get down the field, pick up first downs, get through the clock. We were able to do that. It's a great feeling, and a great team win tonight."

Malzahn added: "Boy, was that a thing of beauty, that last drive. He's one of the best backs in college football. He showed that. He imposed his will."

Bowser gained 54 yards on 19 carries. RJ Harvey spelled him with another strong, efficient showing — 12 carries for 83 yards.

3. UCF's defensive depth tested

The Knights played without three key defensive starters — co-captain linebacker Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste and both first-string safeties, Divaad Wilson and Quadric Bullard.

Yet, the next men up made important plays throughout the afternoon.

"It stresses you a little bit when you've got those young guys out there in key moments," Malzahn said. "But they competed, and they did a good job."

True freshman Kam Moore, making his first collegiate start, forced a fumble late in the first quarter by blowing up an attempted sweep. Jarvis Ware set team highs in total tackles (eight) and solo tackles (six).

Koby Perry played through a bit of pain in the second half to register five solo tackles, and Walter Yates — who made a start at linebacker earlier this season at FAU — shared a sack with cornerback Brandon Adams.

Among the Knights' regulars, defensive lineman Ricky Barber constantly pestered Pratt with three hurries, a pass breakup and a tackle for loss. Jason Johnson delivered a crunching blow for a second-half sack, and Tre'mon Morris-Brash prevented a first-half Hail Mary attempt by corralling the Green Wave QB.

Tulane amassed 391 yards of total offense, but allowed four sacks, lost two fumbles and converted 6 of 12 tries on third down. UCF, by comparison, went 10 for 18.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF Knights football: 3 takeaways in win over Tulane Green Wave