Football

UH defense torched in 40-33 loss to Central Florida

UH rallied from a 17-point deficit to take a lead in the second half of Friday’s game against Central Florida, but it was all in vain.

The Cougars fell 40-33 at Robertson Stadium.

UH (5-4, 4-2 Conference USA) charged late when Patrick Edwards scored on a 46-yard touchdown with 5:06 to go in the fourth quarter to get within seven points.

UCF kicker Nick Cattoi missed a 39-yard field goal to keep the Knights’ lead at seven, giving UH a final shot to tie the game.

The Cougars took over at their own 22 and converted on a fourth down, but couldn’t do it twice. On fourth-and-10 at the UH 46, Piland threw an incomplete pass with 46 seconds remaining, allowing UCF to run the clock.

The Cougars received the ball to start the second half and quickly closed the  deficit when Kierre Johnson caught a 21-yard touchdown pass to get the Cougars within 23-17.

UCF went three-and-out, and the Cougars started their next drive on their own 20. Eight plays later, Piland connected with Patrick Edwards on a 32-yard touchdown with 8:12 in the third quarter, giving UH its first lead.

It didn’t last long, as the Knights reclaimed the lead with a 12-play, 76-yard drive that ended with quarterback Jeff Godfrey recovering his own fumble in the end zone to make it 30-24.

The Cougars got within 10 when Piland completed a 33-yard touchdown pass to Patrick Edwards with 3:10 remaining in the second quarter to make it 20-10.

But UCF countered quickly, scoring on a seven-play, 87-yard drive capped by a field goal from Cattoi as time expired in the first half.

The Cougars were unable to capitalize on offense through two quarters, being held to two of seven on third downs.

On UCF’s first drive, it turned the ball over on downs on a failed fourth-down attempt. On the Knights’ second possession, they were knocking on the door of the end zone, but Marcus McGraw recovered a fumble at the 2.

On the Cougars’ ensuing possession, Piland’s screen pass was intercepted by Bruce Miller and returned 15 yards for a touchdown with 4:10 to go in the first quarter.

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