WATCH: UCF running back announces future plans with incredible video
UCF running back Isaiah Bowser is returning to the field for the Knights for another year, and he incorporated his name to cleverly announce the decision.
The back appeared in seven games for UCF this season, and he made five starts. Bowser was out for five games with a leg injury. He bookended his year nicely, finishing UCF’s first game against Boise State with 201 all-purpose yards and a touchdown and concluded their bowl game against Florida with 155 rushing yards and two scores.
In total, the senior had 168 touches, 778 all-purpose yards and nine scores in 2021.
Bowser transferred to UCF from Northwestern before the 2020 season. He had 334 carries for 1,300 yards and seven touchdowns over three years with the Wildcats. His freshman year, he was third in the Big Ten among first-year rushers in yards per game, averaging 91.9 yards on the ground every time he saw the field.
The Ohio native was a three-star recruit in the 2018 class according to On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 64 running back nationally and the No. 33 running back in that class.
Malzahn looks to build upon first year
Bowser’s rookie year in Orlando was also his head coach, Gus Malzahn’s, rookie year in Orlando. Malzahn had relative success, finishing 9-4 with a win over Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl. The Knights are now 50-12 in their last five seasons, and Malzahn’s record as a head coach between Arkansas State, Auburn and UCF is 86-42.
UCF had the second-best rushing attack in the American this year, averaging 196.3 yards per game. They trailed Navy, who runs the rush-heavy triple option. The success on the ground makes sense given the quarterback injuries and issues this year for the Knights.
Like 2021, 2022 will bring multiple opportunities for the Knights to prove themselves against Power Five opponents. They played Louisville and Florida last season, and they have Louisville and Georgia Tech on the upcoming schedule. Both games will be played at the Bounce House, an excellent opportunity to show what they have been building in Central Florida.