Warren Leads Tulsa Past UCF

Tulsa took on UCF Saturday morning, finishing with a 45-30 win over the Knights, moving to 5-4 overall and 2-3 in the AAC.

Scoring Summary

The Golden Hurricane took a quick 7-0 lead over UCF when Dane Evans connected with Connor Floyd for a 36-yard scoring reception with 8:49 to play in the 1st quarter.

The Knights cut the TU’s lead after snagging an interception that resulted in a field goal from Mathew Wright making it a 7-3 ball game with just under two minutes before the 2nd.

Another pass reception from Evans to Floyd advanced TU to a 14-3 lead to wrap the 1st quarter. At this point, the pair looked like they were trying to become Tulsa’s version of the Splash Brothers. They were clearly controlling the tempo and setting the tone on the field.

After a 47-yard carry by Ramadi Warren set the Golden Hurricane up for a score, he took it amongst himself to finish the drive. A short rush from Warren elevated Tulsa to a 21-3 lead over UCF with 6:19 before the half.

With a few minutes to go before intermission, Trent Martin forced a fumble and Matt Linscott recovered it. This helped TU to another score off a 28-yarder from Redford Jones, giving Tulsa a 24-3 head over the Knights.

Notable halftime stats:

Tulsa: 226 total yards – 124 passing, 102 rushing

UCF: 122 total yards – 95 passing, 27 rushing

Evans: 7-11 completions, 124 yards, 2 TD’s

Floyd: 2 receptions, 48 yards, 2 TD’s

Warren: 5 rushing, 60 yards, 1 TD

After a 24-yard completion, Evans pass was intercepted, leading to a UCF TD from Taj McGowan at the 9:37 mark. The Knights had now cut the deficit 24-10.

Tulsa later fumbled on the kickoff and UCF took advantage of the Golden Hurricane’s mishap, scoring on a 19-yard FG from Wright to chip TU’s lead 24-13.

The Knights didn’t slow down there. The team scored again, but this time on an 11-yard reception from Justin Holman to Tre’Quan Smith to make it a 24-20 ball game.

Warren wasn’t about to let his team’s lead slip away, entering the end zone again on a short run. At this point, Tulsa led 31-20.

The Knights battled to stay in it, adding three to the board with a 43-yarder.

WARREN TAKEOVER: Warren scored his 3rd consecutive TD when he carried for 33 yards, then 9 and 2 to score, helping the Golden Hurricane to a 38-23 lead.

Michael Mudoh then had a shining moment when he picked a pass and returned it for an 86-yard score. This was the second straight week that Tulsa landed a pick-6, but Mudoh’s career first.

With 1:04 before the finish, UCF scored on a pass completion from Holman to Jordan Franks.

By the end, Tulsa left the field with a 45-30 victory.