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Five UCF Knights to know before they play UF in the Gasparilla Bowl

Untitled_design__8_-removebg-previewby: Pat O'Donnell12/21/21patodonnell22_
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(Photo courtesy of Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

The 6-6 Florida Gators are set to take on the 8-4 UCF Knights in the Gasparilla Bowl on Thursday night. Fortunately, there haven’t been any opt-outs for this game outside of Florida DE Zach Carter. With that, who are some of the key players for UCF head coach Gus Malzahn’s squad?

Running Back Isaiah Bowser

If Bowser is healthy enough to go for this one, he’ll be the biggest player for the UCF offense. Throughout the season, he’s battled a leg injury that has kept him out of a few games including the Knights’ final three games. Still, Bowser is clearly the top ball carrier for UCF when he’s on the field. The Northwestern transfer has the most carries on the team (124) and seven touchdowns. He’s run for 548 yards with 75 more reception yards. 

Running Back Johnny Richardson

With Bowser being held out of a few games this season, Richardson has seized the opportunity. Richardson has seen action in all 12 games for the Knights. He’s started five at running back, and he now leads the team with 693 rushing yards on 101 carries. He’s also been very effective as a pass-catcher with 22 receptions for 197 yards. Just 5-foot-7, but has track speed from his high school days, so look out for him coming out of the backfield.

Wide Receiver Ryan O’Keefe

He leads the team in receptions (77) and receiving yards (727). Florida Cornerback Kaiir Elam will likely be matched up with him throughout Thursday night’s matchup. He’s earned second-team All-AAC honors with such statistics. It’s important to note that he’s also been involved in the running game with 12 rushes for 164 yards and a touchdown as well. Coach Malzahn likes to involve him in trickery as he’s thrown a perfect 3/3 and two touchdowns this season.

Defensive End Big Kat Bryant

Florida fans should recognize this name as Bryant followed Malzahn from Auburn to Orlando. Bryant’s stellar lone season with the Knights has earned him first-team All-AAC honors. He leads his team with six sacks and 14 tackles for loss, which is tied for second in the conference. Bryant has been one of the vocal leaders for this Knights defense and is surely excited to face off against a team from his former conference.

Linebacker Tatum Bethune

Another leader on the UCF defense is Bethune who leads the team with 101 tackles. With 9.2 tackles per game, he’s second in the AAC in that category. In UCF’s final two games, he accounted for 32 total tackles. He’s made all kinds of plays this season including two sacks, a pass deflection, two interceptions and a forced fumble. Assuming the Gators will look to continue to run the football, Bethune will be the first hat to the ball every time for the Knights.

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