Mired in a two-game losing streak, UCF players could easily get caught up in the noise surrounding the team this week. It’s tough when the criticism is public, whether through social media or message boards.
That criticism is brushed aside for 6-foot-4, 320-pound defensive tackle Lee Hunter .
“We don’t care about what people [outside the program] are saying,” said Hunter. “Half of the people talking have never been through this journey. They’re just opening their mouth and saying something. How can you say something about it when you’ve never been through this journey?”
It’s been a rough several weeks for the Knights, with the latest insult coming from a 24-13 loss to Florida in the Swamp on Saturday night.
UCF monitors Hurricane Milton for possible impact on Cincinnati game
It was a familiar blueprint for disaster as UCF (3-2, 1-1 Big 12) started slow, falling behind by double-digits in the first half to the Gators. The once-vaunted ground game dried up, and Florida quarterback Graham Mertz picked apart the defense with short, methodical passes.
The mood around the fanbase turned bleak following the loss, and there are some clamoring for change.
“We’re going to bounce back,” said coach Gus Malzahn . “I’m very confident [we will] and more confident today than afterward. You’re feeling like crap at that point, but it’s our leaders. I’m real confident that we’ll be able to rebound.”
The Knights have an experienced team and the coaching staff expects them to keep the group together.
“You just have to focus internally on what’s going on and not pay much attention to everything else that’s going on,” said fifth-year senior offensive lineman Amari Kight. “Focus on what we have going on inside the building.”
After missing UF game, kicker Colton Boomer will transfer from UCF
Said offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr.: ““A lot of times, you think our jobs are just X’s and O’s, but we do a lot of counseling and building guys up when they read so much that can tear them down. I take great pride in that part of my job, as do all our coaches. We try to keep their heads going in the right direction. Our players still believe in us and what’s ahead for our team, and that’s all we can ask for right now.”
The Knights are two games behind Texas Tech (3-0), the first-place team in the Big 12 standings. They’re also one game behind BYU, Iowa State, Colorado and West Virginia, all 2-0.
They’re lumped into a group of 1-1 teams in conference play, including this week’s opponent, Cincinnati (3-2, 1-1).
A turnaround performance against the Bearcats could help UCF prepare for a brutal stretch of games.
The next seven are against teams with a combined 27-8 record (77%), and the remaining strength of schedule is 48th in the nation, according to ESPN.
The danger is a two-game slide turning into a longer one — such as the Knights losing five in a row last season.
Despite poor showing, UCF believes it can bounce back
“What you do as coaches is tell the players the truth,” said defensive coordinator Ted Roof . “Here is what we must correct: A, B and C and we’ve got to do X, Y, and Z to fix it. I believe in our leaders. We’ve got good, strong leadership on this team and then they do it.
“Our guys are committed and believe in what we’re doing, and I believe in them. I think we’re going to be fine.”
Losing doesn’t sit well with players such as Hunter, but it does put things in perspective.
“All you can do is put it behind you, go to practice and work harder,” he said. “I’ve got a life. I’ve got a family. I’ve got a mom and a daughter. That keeps me motivated. When we lose, I feel sorry, but we have a 24-hour rule, then I go to practice, work harder and encourage my teammates.”
Matt Murschel can be reached at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com
Up next …
UCF vs. Cincinnati
3:30, Saturday, FBC Mortgage Stadium
TV: ESPN2
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