Three things learned from UCF’s win over Sam Houston

UCF scored 17 unanswered points on its way to a 45-14 win over Sam Houston Saturday night at FBC Mortgage Stadium. The Knights totaled more than 550 yards of offense and forced two turnovers to improve to 2-0 on the season.

Nyjalik Kelly gives boost to defense

The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Kelly spent two seasons at Miami before transferring to UCF during the spring window. He missed most of last season while battling a shoulder injury that required two surgeries and countless hours of rehabilitation.

The Fort Lauderdale product has stepped into the defensive end spot and thrived for the Knights, registering the team’s first sack in the second quarter. He finished with 6 tackles, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble against Sam Houston.

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Penalties are still concern for Knights

UCF was one of the most penalized teams in the Big 12 last season and,  while the Knights were only flagged three times against New Hampshire last week, things didn’t start so well on Saturday.

The Knights were penalized six times for 45 yards, including four penalties (holding, two false starts and delay of game) called on the opening drive against the Bearkats.

Receiver Kobe Hudson was called for a rare facemask penalty on a 37-yard completion in the second quarter.

UCF may have found kickoff specialist

Knights fans may have had some quizzical looks when fifth-year tight end Evan Morris boomed a 65-yard kickoff for a touchback in the second half against Sam Houston, but the former Michigan State kicker has been working with the special teams unit this week.

Colton Boomer has been spitting duties this season, but Malzahn doesn’t want to overload the junior heading into conference play.

“He kicked one into the stands and might be our kickoff specialist from now on,” said Malzahn. “We tried him out this week and he kicked it out of the back of the end zone. Not that Boomer didn’t do a great job, but being able to take some things off his leg … last year he got a little worn down in the second part of the year.”

Matt Murschel can be reached at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com