Colorado
Central Florida
Buffs At UCF: What You Need To Know
September 28, 2024 | Football, Neill Woelk
COLORADO BUFFALOES (3-1, 1-0 Big 12)
at UCF KNIGHTS (3-0, 1-0)
 ORLANDO, Fla. — While the Colorado offense has garnered most of the attention this year, the Buffaloes' defense has shown some steady improvement.
Saturday, the Buffs defense will face what might be one of its biggest tests of the season thus far when the Buffs square off with UCF at FBC Mortgage Stadium.
The Knights lead the nation in rushing yards per game (375.7), are third in total yards per game (570.7) and are 14th in scoring (47.5 per game).
Colorado's defense hasn't given up more than 166 yards rushing in any game and the Buffs have held two opponents under 200 yards passing. CU has also forced five opponent turnovers and converted them into 14 points.
CU's offense has also been steady. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders is in the top seven in the nation in passing yards (335 per game), completions per game (27.5) and touchdown passes (11).
Saturday presents the opportunity for Colorado to pick up a critical conference road win and improve to 2-0 in league play.
The nuts and bolts of the game:
KICKOFF:Â 1:30 p.m. (MT), FBC Mortgage Stadium (45,301)
TV, RADIO: The game will be televised by Fox with Kevin Kugler and Brock Huard in the booth and Alison Williams on the sidelines. The radio broadcast will be carried on the Colorado Football Radio Network with Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson and Gary Barnett in the booth. Radio coverage begins at 11:30 a.m.
ON THE INTERNET: The game can be heard on the internet at CUBuffs.com. Live statistics will also be available at CUBuffs.com.
THE COACHES: College football and NFL Hall of Famer Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders is in his second year at Colorado, where he has a 7-9 record. Prior to coming to CU, he coached three seasons at Jackson State, where he compiled a 27-6 record. Gus Malzahn is in his fourth season at UCF, where he has compiled a 27-16 record. He is 104-54 overall as a college head coach.
THE SERIES: This is the first football game between the two programs.  Â
WHAT'S AT STAKE: The winner will remain unbeaten in league play.
TEAM LEADERS: Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders has thrown for 1,340 yards and 11 touchdowns. Colorado has four receivers with double-digit receptions, led by two-way star Travis Hunter (37 catches, 472 yards, five touchdowns). LaJohntay Wester has 18 receptions for 226 yards and four scores and Jimmy Horn Jr. has reeled in 18 catches for 286 yards and a score.
On the ground, Micah Welch leads the Buffs with 87 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.
Defensively, safety Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig is having an outstanding season with 31 tackles, including three for loss, and four quarterback hurries. Cornerback DJ McKinney has 26 tackles and five pass breakups while linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green has 23 tackles, including three for loss. At cornerback, Hunter has 14 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble. Â
 The Knights are led by running back RJ Harvey, who has rushed for 448 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 7.6 yards per carry. UCF quarterback KJ Jefferson is a dual threat, with 563 yards and five touchdowns passing and 135 yards and one touchdown rushing.
Linebacker DeShawn Pace has 19 tackles and an interception. Safety Sheldon Arnold has 11 tackles and an interception and as a team, the Knights have recorded 14 tackles for loss — but only one sack in three games.
KEY MATCHUP: Colorado's wide receivers vs. UCF secondary. The Knights gave up 400 yards passing in a 35-34 win over TCU and have not shown an ability to put pressure on the quarterback. If Colorado's Sanders has time in the pocket, he'll have the opportunity to find open receivers and keep the chains moving. Â
UP NEXT:Â The Buffs have next weekend off before returning to action Oct. 12 with a home game against Kansas State.
