West Virginia knocks off UCF for second straight season

Field Level Media|published: Sat 23rd November, 19:22 2024

NCAA Football: Central Florida at West Virginia

Nov 23, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Rodney Gallagher III (24) makes a catch for a touchdown against the UCF Knights during the second quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

CJ Donaldson Jr. rushed for two touchdowns as West Virginia became bowl eligible with a 31-21 win over UCF Knights in the Big 12 matchup Saturday in Morgantown, W.Va.

The third-leading rusher for the Mountaineers (6-5, 5-3 Big 12), Donaldson scored twice in just over a half, giving him a team-high nine touchdowns, as the home team forged a 28-7 lead that the Knights (4-7, 2-6) couldn't overcome.

The junior running back from Miami carried 19 times for 96 yards. Jahiem White had 12 carries for 54 yards and a score.

In his team's second consecutive win against the Knights, Garrett Greene went 13 of 21 passing for 118 yards with a score to Rodney Gallagher III. The senior quarterback rushed 18 times for 49 yards.

The Mountaineers became bowl eligible for the fourth time under coach Neal Brown.

Eliminated from bowl contention for the first time since 2015, UCF received a game-high 130 yards on 16 carries from conference-leading rusher RJ Harvey, who scored two touchdowns.

Dylan Rizk was 11 of 21 passing for 172 yards and a touchdown toss to Kobe Hudson.

On its first possession, the Mountaineers traveled 68 yards on eight plays, capping it when Donaldson plunged in from 1 yard out at 10:34. White later produced a short scoring run inside the quarter's final two minutes.

UCF came alive in the second quarter and got a key fourth-and-3 conversion from backup quarterback Jacurri Brown on a 4-yard run. On the next play, Harvey rambled in from 2 yards at 8:37.

However, with just 15 seconds remaining in the half, a 71-yard drive ended with Greene connecting with Gallagher from 12 yards for a 21-7 cushion.

The home side tacked on another score to open the second half when White's 35-yard scamper set up Donaldson's second score from 1 yard out at 12:10 for a three-score edge.

UCF turned to the air trailing 28-7, and Rizk lofted a perfect 45-yard strike to Hudson at 5:38.

At 12:15 of the fourth, West Virginia kicker Michael Hayes II nailed a 35-yard field goal, but Harvey's second tally, a 9-yarder, made it 31-21 with 5:20 remaining.

A failed onside kick then allowed the Mountaineers to run out the clock.

--Field Level Media

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