The UCF Knights may have found Blake Bortles’ successor at quarterback in a 26-24 last-second loss to Penn State in the Croke Park Classic in Dublin, Ireland Saturday. It isn’t starter Pete DiNovo.
Trailing for much of the game, the Knights rallied behind backup quarterback Justin Holman in the second half. Inserted into the game with UCF trailing 13-3, Holman ignited a stagnant offense that was unable to get in gear with DiNovo under center. The offense had just 36 total yards in the first half.
Behind Holman’s strong arm and play-making abilities, UCF’s offense increased its tempo. With 11:31 remaining, Holman connected with wide receiver Josh Reese for a touchdown, getting UCF within three at 20-17.
Following a Penn State field goal, Holman hit J.J. Worton twice and Breshad Perriman to move into Nittany Lion territory. On a 4th-and-10, Holman hit Reese at the six-yard line. Holman scored on a quarterback draw on the very next play, giving UCF its first lead, 24-23 with 1:13 remaining in the game.
As it turned out, the Knights left too much time on the clock and Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg engineered one final scoring drive. After converting on a crucial 4th-and-3, he connected on his next three passes to set up a field goal attempt. With three seconds left, Penn State’s Sam Ficken hit the game-winning 36-yard field goal, lifting the Nittany Lions to a 26-24 victory over the Knights.
“It was a good college game,” UCF head coach George O’Leary said, according to the school’s official athletic site. “I’m disappointed in the outcome. I was disappointed in the way the defense played, too many big plays given up in key situations. You expect a defense that (has experience), down the stretch, when you have a chance to put the game away, you’ve got to stop them. Give credit to Penn State. They made plays when they had to make them.”
As for the play of Holman, who was 9-of-14 for 204 yards and scored two touchdowns.
“I thought Justin went in and did a very good job,” O’Leary said. “He was really the sparkplug for the offense, making plays.”
The Knights have a bye before playing at Missouri Sept. 13.
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