Knights defeat Boston College 30-3

The Knights' (2-0) defense has a pretty simple philosophy.

"We don't want anybody in our end zone," cornerback Josh Robinson explained after Saturday's 30-3 thrashing of visiting Boston College (0-2). "Regardless of if they get down in the red zone, we're always thinking deny points … not one point."

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It seems to be an effective policy. Through two games of the 2011 season, the Knights' defense has allowed three total points.

It was another dominating effort by the UCF defense, which held the Eagles of the Atlantic Coast Conference to only 141 yards of total offense on the night. The team rode the momentum on that side of the ball through three quarters until finally the offense clicked for a 21-point fourth quarter, and the blowout was on.

Offense

With 4:15 left in the game and the Knights with a first and goal from the Boston College 4-yard line, quarterback Jeff Godfrey kept the ball on a keeper.

Standing between the sophomore standout and the end zone was Eagles All-American linebacker Luke Kuechly. Despite Boston College's struggles, Kuechly was having an absolutely beastly night with 17 tackles, 12 of which were unassisted.

Apparently, Godfrey didn't get the memo not to put his head down and plow forward.

"It was symbolic of my whole night," Godfrey said. "I was thinking ‘How am I going to get in this end zone?' but I trusted my legs … Put my head down, shoulders down, and I got in the end zone."

Once again, Godfrey keyed the Knights' offense, passing for 187 yards, completing 20-of-25 attempts and adding another 69 yards with his feet. The 20 completions were a career best for Godfrey.

Following a three-and-out on the game's opening drive, UCF was able to move the ball well, racking up 422 yards of total offense. The Knights did, however, have trouble turning those drives into touchdowns. Instead, they settled for field goals and led only 9-3 through three quarters.

The Knights' final drive of the third quarter, however, changed things. Godfrey found receivers A.J. Guyton and J.J. Worton on consecutive plays, setting up a first and goal. The acrobatic catch by Worton may well have been the play of the game.

The third quarter ended with the Knights on the Eagles' 1-yard line, and Godfrey promptly punched it into the end zone on the first play of the fourth quarter.

UCF again took advantage of its depth at running back, with Brynn Harvey, Ronnie Weaver and Latavius Murray all getting carries. The consistent supply of fresh legs came in handy late when Murray came alive in the third and fourth quarters. Murray led the Knights with 72 yards on the ground and was especially effective on UCF's second drive of the fourth quarter, which, sans one Godfrey keeper, was all Murray and ended with the redshirt junior in the end zone.

Guyton seemed to be Godfrey's favorite target Saturday night and led the Knights in receiving with five catches for 45 yards; Quincy McDuffie was a close second, picking up 41 yards on five catches.

Defense

Boston College just couldn't do much with the ball.

The Eagles had absolutely no success running the ball, picking up only 57 yards on the ground. They didn't fare much better through the air, with Chase Rettig amassing only 70 yards passing on 10-of-23 attempts, with two interceptions.

A.J. Bouye and Josh Linam each had an interception for the Knights. Linam had a solid night all around, picking up six tackles and a sack, as well.

"It's teamwork," Linam said. "It's the line getting a great pass rush and the secondary and linebackers having great coverage."

After allowing only six first downs in their first contest, UCF allowed Boston College seven first downs. Specifically, the Knights were dominant on third down. The Eagles were only able to convert on third down once in 12 attempts.

"Third down is our down, we take pride in that especially on our home field," defensive end Darius Nall said.

The domination didn't stop at third down, though.

Boston College went for it on fourth and one on its first drive of the fourth quarter, but Nall and E.J. Dunston were there for the Knights. The turnover on downs seemed to deflate the Eagles, who were unable to do much with the ball after that point.