Breaking Down UCF Knights Defensive Performance Through 8 Games

Games have come to an end in the 2022 football season for the Knights. That’s two-thirds of the regular season. It’s a good time to assess where the Knights did well and what needs improvement.

With the Knights in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, a few changes to defense could allow the Knights to win the remaining games and the American Athletic Conference Championship Game before playing in a desirable bowl game.

Here are the UCF defensive stats (number is national rank).

Points: 17.6 points allowed per game (16).

total defense: 352 yards allowed per game (40).

Rush: 116.4 yards allowed per game (28).

pass: 235.6 yards per game allowed (75).

Opponent’s first downs: 19.3 allowed per game (49).

bags: 16 total, averaging two per game (76).

Meets Loss: 50 on the season, averaging 6.3 per game (48).

passports broken: 37 times defenders got a pass (17).

intercept: Two passes intercepted (125).

Fiddly restores: Received eight opposing fumbles (48).

third below: Opponent held to convert 33.3% (28).

Fourth down: Opponents converted six out of 18 for 33.3% (12).

red zone: Prevented the opponent from scoring just 62.1% of the time(1), including just eight touchdowns.

Opponent 10-plus-yard gains: Allowed 110 (61).

Opponent 20-plus-yard gains: Allowed 37 (68).

Now that we’ve crunched the numbers, there’s a lot to like and one general area of concern. The 17.6 scoring average proved the Knights are making the crucial games needed to be competitive with almost any college football team, so let’s cover that first.

No team in the country has been more reliable than UCF when they have their backs to the wall in the red zone. It was amazing. Whether it was sniffing a screen, washing the quarterback away from its intended receiver, or taking away a running lane, UCF’s red-zone defense was stellar. There are two similar areas that were really good.

Cincinnati running back Charles McClelland was swarmed by the UCF defense all game.

Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer/USA TODAY NETWORK

The third down and fourth down defense were also convincing. Aside from red-zone defense, these two categories led to the 17.6 points allowed per game, as many as all other defensive stats.

The storm defense has also improved. After allowing 35 yards against Cincinnati, there’s reason to believe it will be ready for future opponents. There is also an area to consider.

Pass defense overall didn’t live up to expectations for a veteran group. The sack and interception rankings fell far short of where they should have been in eight games. Most importantly, the Knights need more pass rush to have more chances of catching passes. More specifically, UCF wasn’t good enough at getting to quarterback with four defenders.

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If you rush four and get home to the quarterback, seven defenders can take cover and play against the inevitable wounded ducks that quarterbacks throw up under duress. Interceptions aside, those seven defenders would also result in fewer 10-plus and 20-plus yard gains.

There’s a reason NFL teams covet pass rushers during the NFL draft. They change the game by producing top-notch third-down defense and generating turnovers. UCF’s passing rush has been solid, but it takes an extra level of production for the Knights to win in their last four games.

Regardless of the pass rush, the UCF does not give linebackers and defensive backs a free pass. They didn’t shoot enough passes given the total talent and experience available, and they had numerous chances to crack passes and didn’t save the catch for an interception.

UCF’s linebackers and defenders also need to take their games to a higher level. There’s no reason that more picks can’t be accomplished in the regular season and beyond.

Overall, this was a good UCF defense and one that showed an ability to rise when needed most. Can it take that last step and get to the quarterback more often and create more interceptions? If the answer is yes, UCF has a good chance of winning the American Athletic Conference and going to a bowl game that Knights fans will be happy with.