UCF @ TCU
7:30Pm/EST Big FOX
I do not know who else loves this matchup, but I do. A few reasons why incoming.
Who would I be at SingleHighSports if I didn’t highlight the most underrated secondary room in the country against an offensive juggernaut like Texas Christian? When I saw this game on the schedule, I immediately thought about one of the most hard-hitting college DB’s I’ve seen live, S Quadric Bullard, and was excited to see him again during a primetime game. The intrigue with this game, and the talent on the UCF team do not end with “Quad,” as he’s called, but it is where I will begin what turned into a full game preview. It is only fitting after all since he was the original reason that I took interest in the first place.
Strong Safety Quad Bullard. 6’0 175 lbs of lean mean dynamic hitting machine muscle without fear or reservation on the field. He is one of those guys that the stat sheet never does justice. His off-field stats are impressive as the 5th year UCF man has boasted an All-Academic AAC Honor, UCF’s AD Honor Roll, as well as UCF’s Dean’s List in 2020. But on the field, the stat sheet does not show his hard work. 3rd year Head Coach Gus Malzone said from the podium on Monday “Quad is playing really, really well,” and on the rest of the defensive backfield, “we’ve got a deep veteran secondary.” When asked preseason about the ‘deep secondary,’ Quad responded, “Makes it fun..we love to help each other” and he continued “I help whether I wear the ‘C’(captain) or not.” In terms of defensive identity Quad says, “Our identity is physicality…we enjoy hitting people.” That’s the stuff right there. This dude lays the lumber every chance he gets, but he is more than that. His punishing physical play has required him to miss games and come back multiple times, and he has. He said “Don’t lose persistency” when asked about overcoming his injuries. He understands and states “Mistakes bring consequences, and we have to limit our mistakes as a group,” showing his level, mature veteran mindset. Further adding to his maturity, when asked about the seasonal outlook and his playing future after college he answered confidently, “Leave it all out there and let the chips fall where they fall.” Good advice for us all. A hard hitter, a mature young man, Quadric Bullard has made me a fan. Good luck #10!
I will continue previewing UCF before presenting the home team properly.
This is the first road test and the first real test for UCF this season as they have blown out New Hampshire and Sam Houston in impressive fashion to open the season. Coach Malzone knows the TCU offense will be tough to stop saying of offensive minded Sonny Dykes, “Coach dykes is sound, good, experienced…Briles (Kendall) is one of the best coordinators in football…. talented veteran WR group.” Briles of course coached UCF QB, KJ Jefferson at Arkansas. Malzone stated the obvious that “a healthy QB is important,” and KJ’s health is paramount to this team’s offensive success. He wants KJ to “keep growing in the offense,” and faith in offensive line to continue. Blocking as a group is a focus of his relentlessly fiddly run first offense, and one of the key pieces in that blocking scheme is none other than our second featured player, Randy Pittman Jr.
Talk about a guy that is easy to root for. Sophomore Tight End, Randy Pittman Jr prides himself on the large role he has in the run block game. He said on Monday, “running back room is explosive…I’m joyful to block…I pride myself on being dependable…I watch tape with the Oline to prepare to execute blocks against the opposing defensive line.” “Joyful to block.” That’s what he said. What interesting terminology. A reporter a few moments later followed up with an intriguing question. I’ll paraphrase:
Reporter “Given the chance to catch a deep ball or lay a big block to let the runner get a big gain which would you choose?”
Pittman with a bright gleam in his eye, “Big block..in fact, I remember laying a big block on a td and I just put the dude straight on his back…putting dudes straight on their back is fun.”
That’s the guy you want leading the run block. That guy right there. 6’2 225lb Randy Pittman Jr, and I’m sensing a theme here, UCF is physical. I’ll be watching those blocks #5!
The UCF secondary has 4 interceptions through 2 games, and it isn’t because of Quad Bullard or any other one person. As a said, there is a depth and experience to this group that is worth highlighting. I wasn’t sure which other player to highlight until I watched the Monday presser. This well spoken, respectful, firm, and confident young man has high standards and is finding his way with his new teammates.
5th year East Tennessee St transfer Sheldon Arnold is “healthy,” from coach Malzone, and ready to contribute for his new team. He once had aspirations of ‘walking on’ to his favorite school, UCF when there weren’t many options, but ETSU offered him a scholarship and he played 4 years. Last season, he started all 11 games and amassed 87 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 4 INT, and 3 forced fumbles for the Bucs. He says he “sets a high standard” for himself and that listening to his coaches and teammates has him “keyed in” to the new system. Speaking of keys. He was asked the source of their early defensive success, and he credited the defensive line saying, “the front four pressure has been key.” In terms of what his focus is this week “TCU has a veteran WR group…talented. We have to study film, be respectful, and stay motivated.” And respect is something this young man knows. He spoke from the podium for 6-7 minutes and multiple times responded to a reporter’s question with a firm, confident, “yes sir” before continuing to answer the question maintaining eye contact with the person asking. What a proper lad. Finally, he feels a sense of purpose in Orlando saying, “God put me here (UCF) for a reason…I’m ready to put on for UCF.” I can’t help but be a fan.
Matter of fact as I’m typing this, I’m finding myself becoming more of a fan of the team itself, and perhaps Malzone. There is a mindset, culture, and brand of young men that he seems to be developing and attracting and that should never go unnoticed. But you know who isn’t a fan, won’t ever be a fan, and borderline detests UCF this week? The home team in this matchup, TCU. Time for a big sip of Black Rifle.
“Hell’s Half Acre” or Amon G. Carter Stadium is going to be wild by kickoff Saturday night. 6200 Texas Christian students packed out the home opener, and Dykes expects to match or exceed that this week. He praised the crowd and students for their participation and looks forward to this week’s “sold out” game that’ll pack in nearly 50,000 by kickoff. During Saturday night’s post game presser he stated he was “pleased to get off the field on 3rd down” as his defense held Long Island University to 5/17 conversions, and praised his offense for their “6/6 scoring efficiency in the redzone.” Overall “pleased with the performance,” but the game against Long Island is in the ancient review mirror in his mind. It’s time for UCF.
During the press conference held today (Tuesday), Dykes stated that he was impressed with KJ Jefferson and the entire running attack which he said was the “number one rushing team in the country” and went on to say, “Stopping KJ is key.” He knows and respects the power and speed of the UCF QB and the running backs behind him, and his OC Briles, of course has extensive knowledge on the imposing QB. On the defensive side for UCF, Dykes says, “the strength of their defense is the line—strong Nickleback,” and inferred that blocking the front 4 will be crucial. “Blocking for whom,” you may ask. Well, this is Sonny Dykes we are talking about, and Kendall Briles for that matter. This team is going to have an offense. Let’s meet a couple of the standouts.
TCU QB Josh Hoover: 72pct completions, 620 yards, and 4 TD’s and 0 picks thrown through two games. Impressive numbers for the 6’2” 200lb Sophomore, which is to be expected since football runs in his blood. His father, Alex Hoover, played Linebacker for Colorado St and in the NFL. Being leader of the offense is not something that Hoover takes lightly. In an interview during Fall Camp, he said his approach to everyday is “What can I do to be my best today? And what can I do to bring a positive element to my teammates.” This leadership spills into practice as he and the offense compete competitively with the defense. During that same interview, he said, “We’ve got a competitive team. The offense doesn’t like the defense, and the defense doesn’t like the offense. We challenge each other in practice,” and went on to say they need to “be consistent…This a very talented group.” Good luck #10. And a member of that ‘talented group’ is Wide Receiver, JoJo Earle.
JoJo Earle #11 5’10” 180 Senior WR
The Alabama transfer is a “jack of all trades” in the Dykes/ Briles offensive scheme. He lines up both inside and outside as receiver, runs the ball occasionally, catches the balls thrown his way, and has been a return man on special teams in the past. Let’s watch as this experienced “jack of all trades” utilizes all of his weaponry against the hard hitting UCF secondary. Other than having skills on the football field, JoJo has a positive outlook on his role in life and the locker room. In a conversation with Lily Margaret Greenway back in 2023 he stated, “I believe God guides everybody in their lives. All the things I have achieved have come from Him,” and later continued, “I work to be a positive guy who others can follow, but also someone they turn to when they need a laugh.” Is he ‘finding the humor and keeping on movin’? Good luck JoJo.
I want to cover one important bit from the Sonny Dykes press conference that I found interesting, but before I do I need to give mention to two running backs for TCU that could make a real impact on the game Saturday night. Cam Cook and Jeremy Payne.
This next topic is not related to this game specifically, but since it was said by the coach today, and I’m covering this game, I thought it relevant.
A reporter asked Coach Dykes his take on targeting. This was his answer, “Whatever is gonna take the best care of these players, these 18-20 year old kids, I’m in favor of that.” He continued, “I wish we could evaluate intent at times and not eject, but I’m in favor.” This is a fair and level approach that is needed to this rule. As you may know, I am not a fan of the ejection of the player portion of this rule at all times. I think there is a time to eject and a time to just ‘throw the 15’ and move on, but like the Horned Frog coach said “the care of the players” supersedes that point of view, and I can only agree with that.
I hope you have learned something and enjoyed this amateur pregame coverage of UCF@TCU from SingleHighSports. Both physicality and positivity will be present in this one. Let’s see a good game.
Sonny Dykes said it best in the closing moments of his press conference, and I think I’ll use it to close this article:
“When you take the field on a Saturday, you better be the most excited team to play, if not, you’ll get beat…There is no substitute for effort.” So, UCF and TCU…Who is going to be the most excited?
‘Let’s go’ and best of luck to both UCF and TCU. I look forward to watching this one…and especially Quad Bullard.
Find the Humor and keep on Movin’
Whit W.