UCF Rallies Past Georgia State 44-30 Behind Duke Watson’s Career Night

UCF Finished Non Conference Play With a Win

The UCF Knights overcame a halftime deficit with a dominant second half rushing attack and timely defensive takeaways, defeating Georgia State 44-30 on Saturday night at the Acrisure Bounce House in Orlando. UCF improved to 2-1 on the season while Georgia State dropped to 2-1, as the Knights closed out their non conference schedule before beginning Big 12 Conference play next weekend. It was the first meeting between the two programs.

The victory was powered by junior running back Duke Watson, who delivered a career performance with 177 yards and two touchdowns on just 14 carries. Watson averaged 12.6 yards per carry and provided the Knights with explosive plays throughout the night as UCF finished with 304 rushing yards on 40 attempts.

Watson Gives UCF Early Momentum

UCF quickly established momentum after Georgia State turned the ball over on downs on its opening possession. The Knights capitalized when Watson broke loose for a 14 yard touchdown run, his second rushing touchdown of the season, to give UCF an early 7-0 advantage.

Redshirt senior Jahleel Culbreath then blocked a Georgia State punt, giving the Knights possession at the Panthers’ 17-yard line. Redshirt senior kicker Will Stone converted a 29-yard field goal to push the lead to 10-0.

Georgia State responded with a touchdown drive of its own, as senior quarterback Cameran Brown connected with junior wide receiver Rodshaun Dorsey on a 12-yard touchdown pass. UCF answered immediately when quarterback Keyone Jenkins found sophomore wide receiver Waden Charles for a 30-yard touchdown, putting the Knights back ahead 17-7.

Georgia State Takes Control Before Halftime

The Panthers’ offense found its rhythm in the second quarter. Brown connected with Dorsey for a second touchdown, this time on a six yard scoring pass, before freshman running back Qwantavious Wiggins broke loose for a 78 yard touchdown run.

The two scores helped Georgia State take a 21-17 lead, marking a dramatic turnaround after UCF had opened the game with 10 unanswered points. Stone later added a 40-yard field goal for the Knights, but Georgia State answered with Samer Layous’ 22 yard field goal as time expired in the first half to take a 24-20 advantage into halftime. Georgia State outgained UCF 323-153 in the first half, but the momentum shifted dramatically after the break.

UCF’s Running Game Takes Over

Watson wasted no time putting UCF back in front. On the first play of the second half, he exploded through the line and raced 63 yards for his second touchdown of the night, giving the Knights a 27-24 lead. Georgia State responded with another Layous field goal to tie the game at 27-27, but UCF’s defense soon delivered the plays that changed the game.

Jenkins threw an interception to Georgia State safety Donovan Faria with just over six minutes remaining in the third quarter. On the very next play, however, UCF linebacker Tackett Curtis intercepted Brown, immediately giving the Knights the momentum back.

UCF converted the turnover into points, with Jenkins scoring on a four-yard rushing touchdown to put the Knights ahead 34-27. Curtis finished with a team-high 10 tackles while recording his first career interception.

The Knights’ defense struck again when Demari Henderson intercepted Brown on Georgia State’s next possession. Stone converted the takeaway into a 24 yard field goal, extending UCF’s lead to 37-27 with 8:42 remaining. Georgia State continued to battle and pulled within seven on Layous’ 49-yard field goal with 1:52 left, but UCF quickly ended any chance of a comeback.

After the Panthers’ onside kick attempt was unsuccessful, UCF took possession and Jenkins finished the game with his second rushing touchdown of the night, a three-yard score that made it 44-30. Henderson then recorded his second interception of the game in the final minutes to officially seal the victory.

Watson Leads a Dominant Ground Attack

Watson’s career night highlighted a UCF rushing attack that controlled the game after halftime. The Knights ran for 304 yards, with 216 of those yards coming in the second half.

Watson’s 177 yards were the second highest single game rushing total per carry average in UCF history among performances with comparable volume, and his 12.6 yards per attempt ranked second in program history. He also became the first UCF running back to rush for at least 171 yards since RJ Harvey accomplished the feat in November 2024.

Jenkins, making the start in place of the injured Alonza Barnett III, completed 7 of 17 passes for 86 yards and a touchdown while adding 25 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Brown led Georgia State with 282 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, while Wiggins rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown.

UCF finished with 390 total yards compared with Georgia State’s 485, but the Knights forced three turnovers and scored 24 second half points while holding the Panthers to just six points after halftime.

UCF Turns Its Attention to Big 12 Play

The victory sends UCF into Big 12 Conference play with a 2-1 record and plenty of momentum from a second half performance that featured explosive rushing and timely defensive plays.

The Knights will remain at home next Saturday when they welcome TCU to the Acrisure Bounce House for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff. The Horned Frogs enter the matchup at 2-1, setting up UCF’s first Big 12 game of the season.