UCF caps dominant first half vs. Arizona football with Hail Mary touchdown

Arizona football endured a brutal first half on Saturday, going down 35-6 to UCF after the Knights capped their half with a successful Hail Mary.

The Wildcats had just gotten on the board less than a minute prior, but their defense struggled as it had all half, giving up a few chunk plays to set up the deep shot that saw quarterback Dylan Rizk connect with Randy Pittman Jr. 48 yards away in the end zone.

Take a look, ya’ll 🤯

📺 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/3ka9HxM6vQ

— UCF ‘Nauts Football (@UCF_Football) November 2, 2024

UCF outgained Arizona 389-136 in total yards, and most of the difference was accounted for on the ground, as the Knights had 208 rushing yards to the Wildcats’ 15.

It took the Wildcats four drives to have more than 20 yards on a single possession, and they found their first touchdown drive late in the half. However, even that was dampened as Tyler Loop missed an extra point.

UCF, meanwhile, could’ve led by even more at the break. Kicker Grant Reddick missed a 48-yard field goal attempt on the Knights’ opening possession after the only consecutive incompletions by Rizk in the first half.

Running back RJ Harvey gave the best individual effort for the Knights with 112 yards and two touchdowns on just 15 rushes, an average of 7.5 yards per carry.

Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (9 of 16 for 121 yards and a touchdown) and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (four catches for 75 yards) had decent numbers, but the support from the other Wildcats was just not there in the dismal half.