BOCA RATON – What seemed to be a close game early on turned into a rout last night (Sept. 17).

In UCF’s 40-14 road win over FAU, there was one key moment in each half that ultimately decided the outcome.

Knights quarterback John Rhys Plumlee proved to be too much to handle for the Owls defense, as he completed 25 of his 36 passes for 339 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also gashed the opposition with 20 carries for 121 yards and two touchdowns.

Plumlee, who is an Ole Miss transfer, accounted for 460 total yards of offense to propel UCF to a 26-point win.

One of his two rushing scores was a play that saw his perform an acrobatic leap into the end zone for six. Plumlee’s amazing play took place with 8:03 left in the second quarter, which gave UCF a 16-14 lead over FAU.

Plumlee’s 5-yarder was the game’s best and most impactful play in more ways than one. In hindsight, this play determined the outcome for both teams.

For UCF, this score actually inspired the defense, which allowed 14 points in the first quarter but did not allow another point the rest of the game.

For FAU, it was a crushing moment in that the home team’s offense could not get much going after the momentum-shifting play.

It was mostly about UCF from that point on even on offense and special teams, as the game’s final 24 points were scored by the road team.

Plumlee had an amazing all-around game, save for an interception he threw to FAU safety and Centennial (Port St. Lucie) alum Dwight Toombs (nine tackles) at the 50-yard line.

At the 7:48 mark of the third quarter, the Treasure Coast-area collegiate standout raced all the way to the UCF 1-yard line. This moment gave FAU four chances to cut into UCF’s 23-14 lead, which happened at the 9:25 mark off an Isaiah Bowser 1-yard touchdown run.

Four chances ultimately turned into four missed opportunities for FAU, which was stopped short of the end zone on three occasions (two rushing plays, one passing play) and on a blocked field goal that effectively killed any chance of a landmark home win.

UCF went on to score on three of its final four possessions – two touchdowns and a field goal made by kicker Colton Boomer at the 13:15 mark of the fourth quarter for a 33-14 lead.

With the win, UCF improved to 2-1 on the season. Meanwhile, FAU dropped to 2-2 after four games played.

NEXT GAME FOR UCF: Home vs. Georgia Tech (1-2) – Saturday, Sept. 24; 4 p.m. kickoff

NEXT GAME FOR FAU: Away at Purdue (1-2) – Saturday, Sept. 24; 7:30 p.m. kickoff

PHOTO CREDITS: Christian Proscia