The UCF football program found itself in a 14-0 hole at the end of the first quarter but scored 21 unanswered points of their own across the second and third quarters following a two-hour and 45-minute weather delay.
After allowing 215 yards of total offense in the first half, the Knights’ defense led by Kalia Davis’s three tackles for loss held Boise State to -11 total yards in the third quarter alone.
UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel struggled to open the game as UCF’s opening drive quickly derailed. Gabriel looked for Tennessee graduate transfer Brandon Johnson in the endzone, but the pass fell short while Boise State cornerback Tyric LeBeauf took the ball in the other direction for a 100-yard interception for a touchdown.