West Virginia grounds UCF down to score 41-28 Big 12 road win

Associated Press
Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 4:00 p.m. | Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 4:00 p.m.

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West Virginia quarterback Garrett Greene (6) watches as his touchdown is reviewed during the first half against Central Florida on Saturday.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Garrett Green ran for three touchdowns, West Virginia’s defense forced four turnovers, including two interceptions from cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr., to slow down the high-powered UCF offense and the Mountaineers beat the Knights, 41-28, on Saturday.

UCF quarterback John Rhys Plumlee threw three picks, bringing his season total up to seven in five games, and then fumbled the ball on a sack by Lee Kpogba late in the third quarter with the Knights trailing by three points.

That set up quarterback Greene’s third rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter to restore a 10-point lead for the Mountaineers (5-3, 3-2 Big 12). CJ Donaldson Jr. added another touchdown in the fourth quarter.

UCF (3-5, 0-5) had its chances, but four turnovers were too much to overcome.

UCF’s first turnover came with the Knights trailing 10-7 and driving near the West Virginia 30, the second came after recovering a West Virginia fumble while facing a three-point deficit and the final two turnovers helped West Virginia blow the game open.

The Mountaineers scored 21 points off UCF’s turnovers, and Bishop became the first player for West Virginia to record two interceptions in the same game since Kenny Robinson against Texas Tech in September 2018.

The Mountaineers had only seven takeaways entering the game. It was the first time West Virginia had forced four turnovers in a game since November 2018 against Oklahoma State.

West Virginia was aided by a strong rushing attack that tallied 253 yards.

Greene proved his versatility with 55 yards on 11 caries to go with 156 passing yards. He was joined by West Virginia’s cadre of backs to keep the Knights off the field. Donaldson rushed for 121 yards on 17 carries, and Jahiem White added 85 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.

Ten of the Knights’ 14 turnovers this season have occurred on the opponent’s side of the field as they were knocking on the door to score. That includes three turnovers inside their opponents’ 30.

Plumlee still tallied 274 yards on 25-for-36 passing and three touchdowns to go with 45 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground for the Knights in the game.

West Virginia hosts BYU in their first in-conference matchup with the Cougars next Saturday.