Richard Shiro/Linked Press
A with regards to excellent season for No. 16 BYU ended with one other victory Tuesday because the Cougars defeated UCF 49-23 within the Boca Raton Bowl at FAU Stadium.
BYU spread out 21-0 lead after the first quarter and persisted to pile on unless the closing whistle. Handiest a loss to No. 18 Coastal Carolina saved the Cougars from taking a see at a doable Recent 12 months’s Six bowl. As a substitute, they drew a Knights group that hadn’t defeated a ranked opponent all year.
It modified into likely the closing recreation of BYU quarterback Zach Wilson’s college occupation because the junior persisted to provoke, racking up 330 passing yards and three touchdowns to head with two rushing touchdowns earlier than halftime.
Whether or no longer he returns can possess a profound affect on the Cougars’ probabilities in 2021, either manner.
Famous Performers
Zach Wilson, QB, BYU Cougars: 26-of-34, 425 yards, 3 touchdowns; 5 carries, 12 yards, 2 touchdowns
Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU Cougars: 19 carries, 173 yards, 1 touchdown
Isaac Rex, TE, BYU Cougars: 5 catches, 96 yards, 2 touchdowns
Dillon Gabriel, QB, UCF Knights: 21-of-45, 217 yards, 2 touchdowns
Greg McCrae, WR, UCF Knights: 18 carries, 77 yards, 1 touchdown
Zach Wilson’s NFL Assertion
BYU’s quarterback would possibly possibly possess been an beneath-the-radar QB capture for needy NFL teams earlier than Tuesday night time. That’s absolutely no longer the case anymore.
Wilson had NFL draft personalities drooling over his doable after fully torching the Knights protection. Reflect about Wilson accounted for 35 capabilities with regards to by himself earlier than the comfort of BYU’s offense caught up. With three passing touchdowns and two rushing, Wilson proved himself as a twin-risk QB within the crimson zone. There’s purpose to imagine Wilson would possibly possibly aloof add moderately extra muscle to his 6’3″, 210-pound frame. That would attend his NFL stock even extra, nonetheless there’s absolute self assurance about his expertise.
Wilson modified into as just as he modified into deadly.
His first passing touchdown went for 36 yards to Isaac Rex. He went right wait on to Rex on his 2nd for one other 27 yards. At last, he rewarded his wideouts with a 35-yard bomb to Neil Pau’u correct earlier than halftime.
BYU’s offense eased up a runt bit after that, the notify of its ground recreation to dissipate some clock within the 2nd half of, nonetheless that will no longer often quit Wilson from exhibiting off. He added one other 95 passing yards over the closing two frames.
Bleacher Document’s Matt Miller did no longer even possess Wilson in his top 25 NFL potentialities heading into the 2020 season. Forward of Tuesday’s bowl victory, Miller moved Wilson as much as a doable No. 4 overall capture—the 2nd QB off his board, forward of Ohio Affirm’s Justin Fields, North Dakota Affirm’s Trey Lance and Alabama’s Mac Jones.
Or no longer it is far a meteoric rise punctuated by Tuesday’s efficiency. As mercurial as Wilson turned a college football sensation, he would possibly possibly very effectively be off to the NFL. BYU will gladly eradicate that alternate-off.
UCF’s Next Anguish
When Scott Frost left his put up as UCF’s head coach to eradicate over Nebraska, Josh Heupel inherited a program original off an undefeated season and with deal of room to grow.
Two years later, it be now on Heupel to intention sure this system continues to derive on that success. Tuesday showed it received’t be easy.
For starters, elite quarterback McKenzie Milton received’t be round to intention defenders see as powerless as BYU’s Wilson did against the Knights. Milton is transferring to Florida Affirm and the UCF offense now belongs to Dillon Gabriel. That did no longer moderately determine against the Cougars, nonetheless the sophomore shall be wait on next year and can grow from the trip.
Heupel will need him to. Whereas the Hawaii native regarded greater within the 2nd half of with two touchdowns, these are the form of video games UCF wants to capture to validate its inclusion within the dialog about top applications.
Adam Shadoff FOX 35 @FOX35Adam
A @UCF_Football particular! 49-straight video games now and not utilizing a longer lower than 1 passing & 1 rushing TD. Leads the nation.
Additionally Dillon Gabriel’s 23rd straight video games with a passing TD now. third longest spin at college history.
#BocaRatonBowl
Losing top tailbacks in seniors Greg McCrae and Otis Anderson would possibly possibly very effectively be hard to conquer, nonetheless sophomore wideout Jaylon Robinson (four catches, 44 yards, one touchdown) showed he’s ready to step up.
There are promising signs for the Knights. It’ll be on Heupel to capitalize and continue this system’s bound of success.
What’s Next?
BYU heads into the offseason with the No. 73-ranked recruiting class, per 247Sports actions, though Tuesday’s capture would possibly possibly walk a prolonged manner toward making improvements to its standing. UCF, meanwhile, has the No. 4 class within the AAC, lawful for No. 61 within the nation for 2021.
