UCF Boomer Comes Up Clutch In Win Over Boise State
UCF travelled cross country this week to face Boise State at Albertson Stadium in Boise, Idaho. UCF comes off a dominate win in week one over Kent State. Boise entered eager to prove themselves after a loss to the #8 Washington Huskies. The two teams have only met once before, back in 2021 in Orlando, where UCF squeaked out a win in their first meeting.
This season’s matchup up pitted number ten against number ten; UCF’s John Rhys Plumlee versus Boise State’s Taylen Green. While UCF looked to get their first blue turf win, Boise State seeked to improve their 130-15 record on “The Blue.”
The first half for UCF was mired by dropped passes, an interception, failures to convert on fourth and short twice, and no trips into the end zone. Despite all the miscues, the Knights’ explosive offense averaged over 10 yards per play and put up 263 yards of total offense in the first half. The Knights did find a shining bright spot in kicker Colton Boomer who came up with three field goals, one for a whopping 55 yards. Their performance was a far cry from last week’s four touchdowns by the half versus Kent State.
Meanwhile, Boise State reconciled with injured running back George Holani before the game, and a suspectedly injured quarterback Taylen Green, sporting blue tape across both feet. The Broncos galloped ahead on a massive touchdown by Jeanty Ashton early in the game, and an impressive 56 yard field goal, tied for the school record, by Jonah Dalmas. Boise State’s 220 yards of offense managed to produce a 10-9 lead heading into the second half.
UCF continued to be their own enemy by botching a kick to the 35 yard line, gifting the Broncos great field position to open the second half. Boise State looked to be in position to capitalize on the misuse until Knights’ senior cornerback, Corey Thornton, intercepted the ball at the the UCF 11 yard line.
UCF pushed the ball down field through the run game with backs RJ Harvey, Johnny Richardson, and quarterback Plumlee’s legs. With UCF knocking on Boise State’s door, the Knights’ woes returned with another tipped ball interception, this time in the Broncos’ endzone by Clark Jaylen turning the tide yet again and putting out the fiery drive for the UCF Knights.
The fourth quarter started off with a defensive spark for UCF when Tre’Mon Morris-Brash opened a sack, followed by another sack by Lawrence Malachi against the Bronco’s backup quarterback Maddux Madesen forcing a punt.
UCF wide receiver, Javon Baker, looked to spark the Knights next drive with a 16 yard catch, however, a holding penalty moved UCF back. Faced with a crucial 3rd and 14, the Knights kept their drive alive with an incredible 53 yard catch by wide receiver Kobe Hudson. the break the Knights desperately needed to keep hope alive. The Knights, mired with errors and penalties, still managed to punch into the endzone on the legs of Harvey after 9 plays for 86 total yards, the first touchdown for the Knights. The Knights failed on the 2 point conversion to take the game by 7.
On what would become Boise State’s final drive, UCF and Boise took back to back timeouts on a big 4th and 2 to set the tone for the final 3 minutes of the game. Backup QB Maddux then pummeled over the UCF defense to convert on the crucial 4th down, giving the offense hope down by 5 with 2 and a half minutes to go. Stefan Cobbs finished the Broncos drive with a 28 yard catch and run to put the Broncos up after a grueling 12 plays, 75 yards, and six minutes of clock soaked up. Maddux failed to complete the extra 2 points. Broncos lead 16-15.
UCF started their final drive from just outside the 20, hoping to get the hot kicker Colton Boomer within striking distance to seal the game. Knights QB Plumlee completed 16 yards to Holler, 11 yards to Hudson, and then gave the ball to RJ Harvey to rush 11 yards back to back. John Rhys Plumlee suffered a huge hit on a botched slide attempt and limped off to the side line after 2 run plays to Richardson. Colton Boomer closed out the game with a 40 yard field goal to put the Knights up 18 to 16 after a tumultuous 58 yard drive to beat Boise at their home opener for the first time in two decades.
In the end, both teams leave the game battle worn and bruised as both John Rhys Plumlee and Taylen Green suffer injuries that cast a grim shadow over the rest of their seasons.
Up next:
UCF: Hosts Villanova at FBC Mortgage Stadium “The Bounce House” in Orlando, FL on Saturday, September 16 at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+
Boise State: Hosts North Dakota at Alberstons Stadium in Boise, ID at 10 a.m. on FS1
Rushing Offensive Stats:
UCF: 258 yards rushing
John Rhys Plumlee: 11/73 yards 0 TD with long 17 yards
RJ Harvey: 15/62 yards 1 TD with long 12 yards
Johnny Richardson: 11/62 yards 0 TD with long 31 yards
Boise State: 173 yards rushing
Ashton Jeanty 24/115 yards 0 TD with long 21 yards
Michael Alaimo: 7/23 yards 0 TD with long 24 yards
Passing Offensive Stats:
UCF: 272 yards passing
John Rhys Plumlee: 16/24 272 yards 1 TD 2 INT with long 17 yards
Boise State: 211 yards passing
Taylen Green: 9/19 144 yards 1 TD 1 INT with long 38 yards
Maddux Madsen:5/8 67 yards 1 TD 0 INT with long 28 yards
Receiving Offensive Stats:
UCF:
Kobe Hudson: 5/134 yards 0 TD with long 53 yards
Javon Baker: 4/73 yards 0 TD with long 29 yards
Boise State:
Ashton Jeanty: 5/97 yards 1 TD with long 38 yards
Stefan Cobbs: 4/63 yards 1 TD with long 28 yards
Defense:
UCF:
Jason Johnson: 8 total tackles (4 solo 4 assists)
Josh Celiscar: 7 total tackles (4 solo 3 assists)
Corey Thorton: 3 total tackles (3 solo) 1 INT
Boise State:
Seyi Oladipo: 10 total tackles (7 solo 3 assists)
Rodney Robinson: 7 total tackles (6 solo 1 assists)
Alexander Teubner: 6 total tackles (4 solo 2 assists) 1 INT
Marco Notarainni: 6 total tackles (4 solo 2 assists) 1 sack for a loss of 10 yards
Jayden Clark: 2 total tackles (2 solo) 1 INT
Photo credit: Sean Russell/FAAZ Sports