The UCF Knights’ 2024 football season concluded on a disappointing note, with a 28-14 loss to the Utah Utes on Black Friday at FBC Mortgage Stadium. This defeat marked UCF’s eighth loss in their last nine games, resulting in a season record of 4-8, while Utah improved to 5-7.
In a bright spot for the Knights, RJ Harvey made history by breaking the school’s touchdown record. He scored his 47th career touchdown with a 5-yard run in the second quarter, surpassing Kevin Smith’s record. Harvey also notched another touchdown late in the game on a 6-yard catch from freshman quarterback EJ Colson, who was making his debut.
Despite outgaining Utah in total offense, the Knights struggled significantly, particularly with turnovers that allowed Utah to extend their lead. UCF had a promising start but lost momentum after a fumble on their opening drive, which set the tone for a challenging night.
Utah, leveraging their defense effectively, took advantage of UCF’s mistakes, including two pick-sixes, which proved costly for the Knights. The Utes maintained a narrow 13-7 lead at halftime before turning up the heat in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 points to seal their victory.
UCF has faced its share of challenges this season, including injuries to key players and inconsistency at the quarterback position after the departure of starting quarterback KJ Jefferson. The Knights will head into the off-season with the hope of regrouping and rebuilding for the upcoming season, particularly with standout players like RJ Harvey leading the charge.
Looking forward, the Knights can take solace in Harvey’s record-setting performance and the opportunity to rebuild for the 2025 season. With changes in offensive strategies and player development, there is potential for growth as the program moves forward. The resilience shown by players despite setbacks can create a foundation for a more successful campaign next year.
Overall, as UCF transitions from a difficult season, the prospect of fresh starts and emerging talents offers fans a reason to remain optimistic for the future.