UCF showed some fight in the trenches early in Saturday afternoon’s meeting with fifth-ranked Michigan, but it was the special teams unit that got the ball rolling in the first quarter to help the Maize and Blue roll to a 51-14 victory.
The Wolverines (2-0) appeared to get a piece of UCF’s 13-yard punt on the opening drive of the contest, and after a three-and-out, did so again on another punt by Caleb Houston to set up Michigan’s second drive at the visitors’ 42-yard-line. While the Knights defensive line appeared up to the test on their first set of plays, a second opportunity for advantageous field position was too much to handle. On third down, Wilton Speight (25-of-37, 312 yards) found Jehu Chesson for a 35-yard pickup to move the ball to the five, and the junior quarterback hit his standout tight end Jake Butt on another third down for a three-yard touchdown to give Michigan the first of three first-quarter scores.
Missing several starters on defense including Taco Charlton and All-American corner Jourdan Lewis, UCF was finally able to move the chains on its third drive thanks to a 30-yard scamper by QB Justin Holman, but Michigan’s superiority in the third phase prevailed again when a 50-yard field goal attempt was blocked up the center by defensive lineman Chris Wormley, who got a hand up on the low-driven attempt. On the ensuing offensive drive, Speight moved the ball with a 32-yard pass on a play-action call to Chesson, who also had an 11-yard snag to move the ball into the red zone. After an eight-yard strike to Henry Poggi gave the Wolverines a first down at UCF’s three-yard line, senior fullback Khalid Hill rumbled in without too much effort on a third down to make it 14-0 with 3:29 left in the first quarter.
Michigan didn’t waste time making it 21-0 after forcing a three-and-out. On the first play of the next drive, Speight hit Amara Darboh, who beat his defender on a post route and scampered in for a 45-yard touchdown with eight seconds left in the first quarter.
Michigan’s offense would continue to get assisted, more so by the defense as the half progressed. Chase Winovich pursued around the left side of the Knights’ offensive line and jarred the ball out of the hands of Holman to set up a drive that allowed Michigan to tack on three points from a 24-yard field goal by Kenny Allen. On UCF’s next drive, freshman Rashan Gary recorded a sack deep in the Knight’s backfield, and Jabrill Peppers had a 35-yard return that again made it easy pickings for the Wolverines. It only took three plays this time, and again leaning on the pass, Speight found Butt for their second connection in the end zone, the 14-yard reception making it 31-0 with 11:30 to go in the half.
UCF did finally wipe the goose egg off the board with a big play after that. Speed got the better of the Michigan defense when a good outside block sprung Adrian Killins free down the right sideline hand-off for an 87-yard touchdown run.
Jim Harbaugh’s bunch finally leaned on the run to grind down the Knights after their first score. De’Veon Smith kept his legs churning and broke free of several defenders with a 12-yard run to set the table for an Allen 36-yard field goal over midway through the second quarter.
Holman was able to use his wheels again late in the half to pick up 35 yards, but he pulled up short without feeling contact and had to head to the locker rooms, albeit on his own accord. Versatile senior Nick Patti, who made five starts at wide receiver in 2015, entered the game for Holman. The drive stalled, and Wormley appeared to again alter the course of a 49-yard field goal attempt that was unsuccessful by Matthew Wright.
Still without Holman on the other side of the break, Michigan continued to sling the ball. 60 of the 66 yards gained on a seven-play drive that concluded with another short TD run by Hill came through the air, two-thirds on throws to Butt (seven catches). The hosts also tacked on another quick trio of points through the uprights after UCF fumbled on the kickoff return and a sack taken by Speight sent Allen on the field for a successful 37-yard try a little over five minutes into the third quarter.
Patti did lead the Knights to a scoring drive in the third quarter, picking up 26 yards himself one play before Dontravious Wilson carried 34 yards for the TD to make it 44-14.
Play on the offensive and defensive line was one of the few areas where Michigan showed a requisite for improvement throughout the day — UCF racked up 275 of its 331 yards offensively on the ground, mostly on plays bounced outside the numbers — but the Wolverines crossed the 50-point barrier for the second straight week when Butt hauled in his third touchdown with 10:24 remaining to wrap up the scoring.
Despite the aerial success, Michigan averaged just 2.9 yards on the ground on 41 attempts. Smith led all carriers for the Maize and Blue with 10 attempts for 38 yards, followed by Chris Evans (nine carries, 35 yards).
Peppers led the way for the Wolverines on defense with eight tackles, followed by six each from Gary, Wormley and linebacker Mike McCray.
Michigan hosts Colorado next week in the third game of a five-game home stand to open the year.
