ORLANDO — A quick start out of the gate proved too much for Sam Houston to overcome in a 45-14 loss to UCF on Saturday at FBC Mortgage Stadium.
The Bearkats (1-1) failed to match the offensive explosion Saturday they displayed in the 34-14 victory over Rice in the season opener. Two straight scoring drives by the Knights (2-0) to open the game, which was delayed for 30 minutes because of inclement weather, had Sam Houston in a double-digit deficit most of the evening.
An explosive, highlight reel play did allow the Kats to crawl out of a 17-0 hole in the second quarter. Senior wideout
Noah Smith found the opportune time to throw the third touchdown pass of his career when he hooked up with junior
Simeon Evans for a 64-yard, pitch- and-catch score with just under nine minutes left in the half.
Sam Houston's defense shut down the Owls in week one while the team protected the ball and did not commit a turnover. Saturday saw UCF put up more than 550 yards of offense and force multiple miscues.
The first Kat giveaways of the year were costly on Saturday.
After UCF scored on a 19-yard touchdown run on the opening possession, the Knights picked off a heave from Kat quarterback
Hunter Watson looking to make a play down field to end a promising start by the Bearkats. UCF quickly added another touchdown run and a 50-yard field goal before Sam Houston got the much-needed boost from Smith and Evans.
The Knights did answer to go into the break on top 24-7 then another interception and a botched snap on a punt attempt led to two more touchdowns for UCF in the third.
The Kats found the end zone one more time before the final minutes clicked off. Backup quarterback
Jase Bauer led an 80-yard scoring drive that was capped with a 22-yard toss to
Michael Phoenix II to trim the lead to 45-14.
Sam Houston hosts Hawaii on Sept. 14 in the home opener at Bowers Stadium.
