Cole Kozlowski proud of UCF’s defensive effort in 20-11 loss at Cincinnati

CINCINNATI — UCF linebacker Cole Kozlowski stood on the visitor’s sideline at Nippert Stadium on Saturday watching yet another hard-fought game slip away. The Knights’ defense once again delivered a gritty effort against one of the Big 12’s top offenses, but the final score told a familiar story.

Cincinnati managed only 306 total yards and 115 rushing yards, well below its season averages, yet UCF fell 20-11 to drop its third straight game and remain winless in conference play.

“I saw a lot of fight,” Kozlowski said. “I was very proud of the defense and how hard they were fighting, especially being down all game. Obviously it’s not ideal, but we had a few plays where coverage broke down, and those things can’t happen.

“It comes down to turnovers — you lose the turnover battle, you’re likely to lose the game. If we can flip that, it should be a lot better for us.”

Defense keeps UCF in it

Through six games, Kozlowski has emerged as one of the Knights’ defensive leaders, bringing the same sideline-to-sideline motor that made him one of the top tacklers in FCS football a season ago at Colgate.

Against the Bearcats, he and the rest of UCF’s front seven helped limit a Cincinnati rushing attack that entered the night averaging more than 200 yards per game. The Bearcats’ longest run went for just 18 yards, and none of their two backs topped 50.

“We’ve been banged up up front all year, but guys came in and stepped up,” Kozlowski said. “At the end of the day, it comes down to out-physicaling your opponent, and I think we did a pretty good job of that today. There were a few plays that hit us, which hurt, but overall that was good football.”

The Knights held Cincinnati to only three points in the second half — a Stephen Rusnak 24-yard field goal that extended the Bearcats’ lead to 20-3 early in the fourth quarter.

“Coach Grinch’s message at h alftime was the same as Coach Frost’sjust keep fighting,” Kozlowski said. “Something good is going to come. Keep flying around the ball and doing our jobs.”

Turnover drought continues

Despite back-to-back strong defensive outings, UCF has now gone two straight games without forcing a takeaway. The Knights’ lone near-miss came when Kozlowski jarred the ball loose from quarterback Brendan Sorsby, only for it to bounce straight back into the Bearcats’ hands.

“It’s tough,” he said. “It’s not ideal, but it’s more motivation to work even harder this week. I don’t think anything is missing, maybe a bounce goes our way, maybe we get a hand on the ball.

“You rep those turnover drills in practice, and eventually it’ll come up in a game. We just have to keep straining in practice and it’ll happen.”

“I love the fight”

Kozlowski says the locker room is still very positive.

“I love the fight,” he said. “I feel like every single game we’ve lost, we’ve given ourselves a chance to win. Everyone’s having fun, everyone loves each other.

“It’s not ideal losing, but I just feel like we’re right there, and we’re one step away.”

That confidence, he said, applies to the entire team.

“The offense can go three-and-out every drive, and we’ll still be rooting for them,” he said. “We could let up touchdowns and the offense would have our backs. At the end of the day, we’re a team.

“I love this team. I think everyone’s really close, especially with how the portal is these days. We’re a tight-knit group, and I’m excited for the second half of the season.”

Hungry, not angry

When asked whether frustration is setting in after three straight losses, Kozlowski didn’t hesitate.

“I wouldn’t say anger, more of a hunger,” he said. “We know how close we are. Kansas State, we’re a few plays away. Kansas, we’re inches away at the goal line. Today, a few missed coverages and a missed tackle from me. It’s just the small things, maybe changing the math on one play with more physicality.”

Looking ahead

The Knights return home next Saturday to face West Virginia (2-4, 0-3 Big 12) in a 1 p.m. kickoff on TNT.

“Yeah, it’s a huge game next week,” Kozlowski said. “Treat it like every other game, but keep fighting. Keep practicing harder and doing our thing. A big game next week and a win there would be good for the second half of the season.”

Even with three consecutive losses, Kozlowski said UCF’s mindset hasn’t wavered.

“Coach Frost told us to have fun again, and that’s what we’re doing,” he said. “He loved our fight today, but it wasn’t enough. So we’ll keep that chip on our shoulder and keep fighting.”