GLENDALE, Ariz. — There will be no self-proclaimed national championship for the UCF Knights this year.
LSU snapped UCF's 25-game winning streak with a 40-32 victory at the Fiesta Bowl, with Joe Burrow dissecting the Knights' secondary for 394 yards passing and four touchdowns.
The eighth-ranked Knights entered as one of only three remaining unbeaten teams. The others are No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Clemson, who meet for the national title next Monday.
Ever upward in our flight 💛#ChargeOn pic.twitter.com/igjXlR4QOL
— UCF Knights (@UCFKnights) January 1, 2019
Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) January 1, 2019
Ready to #ChargeOn to the next streak ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/fD702WIjcV
.@LSUfootball sets a #FiestaBowl record for time of possession having the ball for 44:31. #GeauxTigers pic.twitter.com/hWUiOClSSW
— Fiesta Bowl (@Fiesta_Bowl) January 1, 2019
The winning streak may be over, but our community couldn’t be prouder of @UCF_Football. They’ve represented Orlando so well on and off the field and have proven they belong among the nation’s top teams.
— Mayor Buddy Dyer (@orlandomayor) January 1, 2019
The @UCFKnights have fallen to the @LSUTigers, but the #KnightNation remains grateful for an amazing 2 seasons https://t.co/1k9ad6Yo2H #wftv pic.twitter.com/d2goAqGhXV
— WFTV Channel 9 (@WFTV) January 1, 2019
4:53 p.m. update
That will do it. #LSU puts an end to the #UCF win streak. The final in the #FiestaBowl is 40-32.
— Christian Bruey (@CBrueyWFTV) January 1, 2019
It had been 745 days since @UCF_Football last lost a football game.
Great run and a great game.
4:43 p.m. update
With about two minutes left in the game, UCF scores a touchdown, bringing the score to 40-32, LSU.
4:32 p.m. update
The score is now 40-24, LSU.
4:27 p.m. update
With about four minutes left in the game, the score is 37-24, LSU.
#UCF averages 276.5 yards/game rushing this season. They only have 75 so far today. #FiestaBowl
— Joe Kepner (@JKepnerWFTV) January 1, 2019
3:55 p.m. update
The current score is 34-24, LSU.
Just when it looked like @UCF_Football was up against the wall, Jefferson muffs the punt and #Knights recover. 1st and 10 from the 18.
— Joe Kepner (@JKepnerWFTV) January 1, 2019
Why does the turf always turn into green ice at the #FiestaBowl?
— Christian Bruey (@CBrueyWFTV) January 1, 2019
3:25 p.m. update
LSU scores a touchdown, bringing its lead to 31-21.
Looked like the #LSU receiver pushed off but it's not flagged. 32 yard touchdown catch by Chase. 4th TD pass of the game for Burrow. #FiestaBowl
— Joe Kepner (@JKepnerWFTV) January 1, 2019
Burrow with another beautiful deep ball and #LSU about to go back in front by 10 on #UCF.#FiestaBowl
— Christian Bruey (@CBrueyWFTV) January 1, 2019
2:47 p.m. update
UCF scores a touchdown with seconds to go in the first half. The score is 24-21, LSU.
TD #UCF. After the half that Mack has had, to stand in the pocket and deliver that throw shows a remarkable level of composure. #UCFiesta
— Joe Kepner (@JKepnerWFTV) January 1, 2019
OMG Gabriel Davis! @DavisGB1
— Christian Bruey (@CBrueyWFTV) January 1, 2019
That's the 2nd touchdown for a @SHS_Sanford product.#FiestaBowl #UCF
Darriel Mack goes deep to Gabriel Davis for the 32-yard touchdown for @UCF_Football. It cuts the @LSUfootball lead to 24-21 right before the half. #ChargeOn #FiestaBowl #GreatnessAwaits pic.twitter.com/oJuB9B3iYZ
— Fiesta Bowl (@Fiesta_Bowl) January 1, 2019
2:17 p.m. update
LSU scores yet another touchdown, bringing the score to 24-14, Tigers.
That’s not a replay. It’s just Joe Burrow and Justin Jefferson connecting again. This time it’s for 33-yard touchdown. @LSUfootball now leads 24-14. #GeauxTigers #FiestaBowl #GreatnessAwaits pic.twitter.com/IUnPlZybyH
— Fiesta Bowl (@Fiesta_Bowl) January 1, 2019
Does #LSU have enough defensive backs to finish this game?#FiestaBowl
— Christian Bruey (@CBrueyWFTV) January 1, 2019
Total yards: #LSU: 244#UCF: 77
— Joe Kepner (@JKepnerWFTV) January 1, 2019
Time of Possession:
LSU: 18:54
UCF: 3:55#FiestaBowl
Kyle Gibson was just ejected for targeting after a review of his hit on Joe Burrow. #Knights #UCFiesta
— Joe Kepner (@JKepnerWFTV) January 1, 2019
Want to feel like you were on the field for Derrick Dillon's 49-yard touchdown to give @LSUfootball the lead? This is as close as you'll get without strapping a helmet on. #FiestaBowl #GeauxTigers #GreatnessAwaits pic.twitter.com/zgSlL0nTen
— Fiesta Bowl (@Fiesta_Bowl) January 1, 2019
2 p.m. update
LSU takes the lead -- 17-14.
The #LSU offense coming alive on that drive. 49 yard touchdown catch by Dillon puts the Tigers back in front 17-14. #FiestaBowl
— Joe Kepner (@JKepnerWFTV) January 1, 2019
#UCF issues with 3rd-down defense continue.
— Christian Bruey (@CBrueyWFTV) January 1, 2019
Dillon running wide open across the field and then turns the corner for the go-ahead touchdown.#FiestaBowl
1:50 p.m. update
The lively first quarter is in the books. UCF is up four points as the second quarter begins.
They're playing this game like it's some sort of old rivalry I don't know about.
— Christian Bruey (@CBrueyWFTV) January 1, 2019
Punches. Taunting. Big hits.#UCF #LSU #FiestaBowl
Wiiiild 1Q in the books 😅#ChargeOn ⚔️ #UCFiesta pic.twitter.com/RrBu2h8qcM
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) January 1, 2019
1:37 p.m. update
LSU scores a touchdown and an extra point. The current score is 10-14, UCF.
Penalty on #UCF just cost them 7 points. They have to settle down and play more disciplined.#FiestaBowl
— Christian Bruey (@CBrueyWFTV) January 1, 2019
Incredible catch by Jefferson. Looked like that was going to be way out of reach. #FiestaBowl
— Joe Kepner (@JKepnerWFTV) January 1, 2019
1:25 p.m. update
The current score is 3-14, UCF.
Ruling stands. No targeting. @UCF_Football up 13-3 pending PAT. #UCFiesta
— Joe Kepner (@JKepnerWFTV) January 1, 2019
A 95 yard pick 6 for @UCF_Football and Joe Burrow got absolutely lit up. But he appears to be okay.
— Joe Kepner (@JKepnerWFTV) January 1, 2019
Play is under review.
Brandon Moore’s 93-yard interception for @UCF_Football was the longest return for a touchdown in #FiestaBowl history. #ChargeOn #GreatnessAwaits pic.twitter.com/k2f2OAFY9U
— Fiesta Bowl (@Fiesta_Bowl) January 1, 2019
Actual feelings right now. #UCFiesta pic.twitter.com/YXrG2YumEA
— UCF (@UCF) January 1, 2019
1:15: p.m. update
The current score is 3-7, UCF.
Greg McCrae to the HOUSE!#UCF up on #LSU early in this one, 7-3.#FiestaBowl
— Christian Bruey (@CBrueyWFTV) January 1, 2019
Still a lot of empty seats. The problem with making two teams play a bowl game on the other side of the country. #FiestaBowl pic.twitter.com/CszBzzyUbw
— Joe Kepner (@JKepnerWFTV) January 1, 2019
1 p.m.
What's at stake
UCF takes a 25-game winning streak into the Fiesta Bowl in its bid for a second straight undefeated season. The Knights proclaimed themselves national champions after last season and will likely do so again with a victory at the Fiesta Bowl. LSU is vying for its first 10-win season since 2013.
Key matchup
UCF's defense vs. LSU's run game. Nick Brossette and Clyde Edwards-Helaire combined for 1,588 yards and 21 touchdowns for the Tigers this season. UCF was among one of the nation's worst teams against the run, allowing 227.4 yards per game, so the Knights may have to outscore the Tigers to win.
Players to watch
Central Florida: QB Darriel Mack Jr. The redshirt freshman was thrust into the starting role when two-time AAC player of the year McKenzie Milton suffered a gruesome leg injury in UCF's regular-season finale against South Florida. Mack led a massive comeback against Memphis in the AAC title game, accounting for six TDs while throwing for 348 yards. The Knights will need him to be just as good against the physical Tigers.
Watch: Road to the Fiesta Bowl
LSU: QB Joe Burrow. LSU did not exactly have a prolific passing game this season, but could use Burrow to have a solid game to take pressure off the run game. Burrow threw for 2,500 yards and 12 touchdowns, though he completed only 57 percent of his passes. He did have just four interceptions and got better as the season progressed, completing at least 65 percent in LSU's final three games.
Facts and figures
UCF's winning streak is the fourth-longest in the FBS since 2000, behind Miami (34), Florida State (29) and Alabama (26). ... The Fiesta Bowl is LSU's 50th bowl appearance (25-23-1), good for eighth all-time in the FBS. ... UCF was 24th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 21.3 points per game. ... LSU sophomore safety Grant Delpit is the ninth player in school history to earn consensus All-American honors. ... The Knights have forced a turnover in 31 straight games. Indiana has the nation's second-longest streak at 18 straight games. ... LSU is No. 7 nationally with a turnover margin of plus-12.
🔒 in. pic.twitter.com/S7IW5Sv5Bu
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) January 1, 2019
“WE’RE GONNA GO CRAZY‼️” pic.twitter.com/ERS2Xnf4FI
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) January 1, 2019
You know we're ready 😤
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) January 1, 2019
Get up, Knights...IT'S GAMEDAY‼️#ChargeOn ⚔️ #UCFiesta pic.twitter.com/jtBU11pWBE
Injured @UCF_Football QB McKenzie Milton is on the field at @StateFarmStdm to encourage his Knights. #ChargeOn ⚔️ #FiestaBowl pic.twitter.com/5peSqR6aLo
— Fiesta Bowl (@Fiesta_Bowl) January 1, 2019
The view from the @UCF_Football end zone. #UCFiesta pic.twitter.com/kgXU7XBTK8
— Joe Kepner (@JKepnerWFTV) January 1, 2019
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