Coming off a bye week, Florida (2-2, 1-1 SEC) is set to host UCF (3-1, 1-1 Big 12) in an in-state showdown at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
The Knights come into Gainesville boasting the nation's second-best rushing attack, averaging over 300 yards a game. Fifth-year running back RJ Harvey and fifth-year quarterback KJ Jefferson have served as the primary pieces in UCF’s explosive backfield.
The duo has haunted opposing defenses all season and will look to continue its exceptional play on Saturday against the Gators. UCF is the only team in the FBS to have rushed for at least 140 yards in 17 straight games.
Harvey has served as the workhorse for the Knights offensively this season. UCF’s scheme and game plan has revolved around him running the football in high volume for positive chunks of yards.
“He’s as good as his own runner, probably there is in college football with his patience and his vision and everything that goes with it,” UCF head coach Gus Malzahn said following the Knights 45-14 victory over Sam Houston on Sept. 7.
Harvey rushed for over 1,400 yards in 2023, averaging 6.3 yards a carry while also tallying 16 rushing touchdowns. He is already on pace to shatter that total this season, having compiled 525 rushing yards through his first four games in 2024.
Harvey is a strong, physical back who can also take it the distance any given play. He put his explosiveness on full display Saturday against Colorado, coming away with 169 yards from scrimmage. With a career-high in receiving yards against CU, Harvey on track to break his career high for single-season receiving yards.
Meanwhile, Jefferson has continued to serve as the second cog in the Knights' two-man rushing attack.
The first thing that jumps out about the fifth-year quarterback is his size. At 6-foot-3 and 247 pounds, Jefferson doesn't shy away from contact and looks to get downfield as fast as possible.
Through four games, Jefferson is averaging 4.3 yards a carry for 211 yards.
Jefferson is no stranger to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. He put on a show to help take down the Gators in a 39-36 overtime thriller before transferring to UCF from Arkansas last season. Jefferson ran the ball 17 times for 92 yards and a touchdown in the contest.
Between Harvey and Jefferson, the UCF duo has already racked up 124 carries for 736 yards and 10 touchdowns through the first four games of 2024.
UCF will be tasked with facing a Florida defense that has struggled to stop the run this season. UF ranks No. 109 in the nation in run defense, having conceded 189 rushing yards per game through its first four contests.
In the Knights' first loss of the season against Colorado, the Buffalos held Harvey under 100 rushing yards for the first time this season which greatly contributed to the Buffaloes’ victory.
The biggest keys for UF on defense will be alignment and execution, both of which the Gators have struggled with at times this season.
In a 33-20 loss to Texas A&M over two weeks ago, Florida allowed 310 rushing yards. UF head coach Billy Napier was not pleased with how his squad defended the run. This trend continued into Florida’s win at Mississippi State.
“I thought we lacked gap integrity at times,” Napier said. “I thought we lost the edges at times both in the run game and the rush game relative to the passing game…Overall, much of what I described earlier: mental errors, fundamental technique issues, and some missed tackles.”
With UCF’s prolific rushing attack up next on the schedule, the Gators will also have to clean their missed tackles as well. With Harvey being a fast and physical running back, he has the ability to be a game-breaker.
“At this point now, [we need to] just go out and execute,” senior linebacker Derek Wingo said. “At the end of the day, it’s just about putting our best foot forward and trying to perform on the field.”
Florida and UCF will battle it out at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Oct. 5 at 7:45 p.m.
Contact Chandler Hawkes at chawkes@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @HawkesChandler.
