RJ Harvey knows that as a running back he must have outstanding blocking in order to make outstanding plays for UCF. He got just that on Saturday and took full advantage. Harvey handed in yet another 100-yard game in the Knights’ 45-14 thumping of Sam Houston in front of 43,807 at FBC Mortgage Stadium.
The UCF redshirt senior rushed for a game-high 126 yards on 19 carries and scored four touchdowns to lead a Knights’ running game that continues to dominate.
“I felt great,” said Harvey, who rushed for 100-plus yards for the fourth straight game dating back to last season and ninth time in the last 10 games. “All praise goes to the offensive line. I am just super blessed for them to have done their job tonight, no doubt.”
Head coach Gus Malzahn had high praise for his talented running back after leading a ground attack that combined for 384 yards and all six of the Knights’ touchdowns.
“He’s as good as probably there is in college football with his patience and his vision and everything that goes with it. So, he had a big-time night.”
In just two games this season, the Knights have piled up 838 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns.
Harvey helped UCF put the game away early on Saturday. The Knights scored on six of their first seven possessions with Harvey kick-starting the rout. He capped opening drives of 80 yards in 12 plays, followed by a 76-yard march in 10 plays, with touchdown runs of 19 and 2 yards respectively.
Colton Boomer added a 50-yard field goal early in the second quarter to extend the lead to 17-0.
A third touchdown from Harvey, a 22-yard run late in the third quarter, was in answer of Sam Houston’s initial score, a 64-yard touchdown pass from Noah Smith to Simeon Evans. It was the Bearkats wide receiver’s third touchdown pass of his career.
The Knights extended a 24-7 lead at halftime with touchdown runs of 7 yards from Myles Montgomery, 2 yards from Harvey, and 3 yards from Peny Boone. Those were three of the five running backs from UCF with at least 50 rushing yards for the game.
Conversely, Sam Houston’s leading rusher, Zach Hrbacek, totaled just 25 yards.
The Knights defense yielded just 67 rushing yards for the game. Aside from the long touchdown pass, UCF exerted its dominance on defense by not allowing Sam Houston to drive past midfield until late in the fourth quarter when the Bearkats scored on a 22-yard pass from backup quarterback Jase Bauer to Michael Phoenix II.
Quarterback KJ Jefferson had himself a productive night as well for the Knights. The highly-touted transfer from Arkansas threw for 169 yards on a very efficient 12-for-15 passing night in his second start at UCF. He will lead the 2-0 Knights into Big 12 action on Saturday when they travel to meet TCU for a 7:30 p.m. EDT game at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth.
The 1-1 Bearkats host Hawaii for a 7 p.m. EDT Saturday game at Bowers Stadium in Hunstville.
