Penn State has a lopsided history in games played against current AAC members, but Navy has hung tight historically.
Penn State does not have a tremendous amount of history against most members of the American Athletic Conference. But Penn State has a lopsided history in their favor against one member, the Temple Owls, and a slightly favorable all-time record against another, the Navy Midshipmen.
Games against other current members of the AAC have been limited to small numbers, with a handful of bowl matchups in the record books. The most recent meeting with the AAC came at the end of the 2019 season when Penn State topped Memphis in the highest-scoring Cotton Bowl to date.
All data referenced is credited to College Football Reference. Rankings referenced are AP Top 25 where available.
If you want more, check out Penn State’s all-time records against current members of the Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC.
The Patriots waited until the last round to add a pass catcher.
In what was considered a pretty deep draft at the position, Bill Belichick waited until the seventh round to draft a wide receiver when he selected Tre Nixon out of Central Florida with the 242nd overall pick.
Nixon missed six games in 2020 due to a shoulder injury, but he was able to put up 290 yards and two touchdowns on 19 receptions in his final season with the Knights. In his final complete season in 2019, he had 49 catches for 830 yards and seven touchdowns.
The 6-foot, 187-pound wideout showed pretty solid footwork and speed during his time in college, but his hands weren’t always the best which could be an issue at the next level.
“Dangerous three-level talent with speed and short-area athleticism to play inside or outside as a pro. Nixon had impressive flashes over his first two seasons at UCF before playing in just four games this past year due to a shoulder injury. His play strength and hands are both in need of work in order for him to be considered a trustworthy option for play callers and quarterbacks. He has the juice to win foot races deep and displays enough route-running potential to uncover against pro coverage on the first and second levels. Nixon offers intriguing value as a potential Day 3 selection with WR3 talent.”
With comparisons to Robby Anderson and some mocks having him go as high as the fifth round, the Patriots may have gotten a pretty decent value on Nixon.
Watching his college tape, it’s evident that Nixon can separate from defenders, something many noticed was missing from N’Keal Harry’s highlight tape just two years ago. If the Patriots’ offense is going to be successful, no matter who the quarterback is, the receivers have to get open, and Nixon can do that.
New England doesn’t have the best group of weapons in the wide receiver room despite adding Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor this offseason. So, while it’s far from a guarantee that a seventh-round pick makes the team, Nixon may have a better chance than most.
Bryant is the third player along with Mark Antony-Richards and Nate Craig-Myers that is joining Malzahn at the AAC school after playing for him at Auburn.
As a senior in 2020, Bryant recorded 17 tackles, three tackles for a loss and three sacks with four quarterback hurries. He originally announced he would be playing for Tennessee in 2021.
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Another former Auburn player is reuniting with Gus Malzahn at UCF.
On Saturday, Nate Craig-Myers, who played for the Tigers from 2016-18 before transferring to Colorado State, announced that he will be joining the Knights for the 2021 season.
First off I would like to thank CSU for giving me the opportunity to represent their program! As I turn the page of this chapter! I would like to enter a new one in my life! I will be finishing my college career at University Of Central Florida! #UCF#GoKnightspic.twitter.com/q7Rm3ig5sl
Craig-Myers best season in an Auburn uniform came in 2017 when he caught 16 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns. In two seasons with the Rams, the Dade City, Fla. native recorded 29 receptions for 397 yards and a touchdown.
He was a 4-star recruit out of Tampa Catholic HS in the 2016 signing class.
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An Auburn connection might be coming to UCF extremely soon.
Per ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, former Auburn linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator Travis Williams is expected to join Gus Malzahn’s staff at the American Athletic Conference school.
Source: #UCF is expected to hire #Miami's Travis Williams as defensive coordinator. Deal should be finalized soon. Williams worked for Gus Malzahn from 2014-20 at Auburn, the last two seasons as co-DC and linebackers coach. He then joined Miami's staff as linebackers coach.
Williams recently accepted a position as linebackers coach at Miami but with the hiring of Malzahn, who he worked for on the Plains from 2014-20, at UCF, he would be a crucial hire for the former Auburn head coach.
A first-team All-SEC selection in 2004, Williams played linebacker for the Tigers from 2001-05.
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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire. Orlando is the new home for former Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn. On Monday, UCF officially announced the hiring of Malzahn as its new head football coach with a familiar phrase: Boom! BOOM‼️ Let’s …
“I’m thrilled to be the head coach at UCF, and I’m truly looking forward to being part of Knight Nation,” Malzahn said in a statement. “It’s exciting to be head of a program where the future is extremely bright. I will be hitting the ground running in terms of getting to know our team and everyone else connected with UCF. Our goal is to be ready to win championships.”
An Arkansas State connection might have been a major reason for Malzahn landing the job as the new UCF athletic director Terry Mohajir, was the athletic director with the Red Wolves during Malzahn’s only season there.
“When I started the search process, it became very evident very quickly that, based on the conversations I had with the players last week and what they told me were looking for, Gus Malzahn was the guy for the job,” Mohajir said. “He has won at every level, and he has coached a Heisman Trophy winner and NFL draft picks. There has never been a better time for Coach Malzahn to lead this program than right now.”
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Former Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn could find himself leading another football program soon. According to reports, UCF has officially offered him the vacated job by Josh Heupel, who is now the head coach at Tennessee. One of those reports comes …
Former Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn could find himself leading another football program soon.
According to reports, UCF has officially offered him the vacated job by Josh Heupel, who is now the head coach at Tennessee. One of those reports comes from Auburn Undercover.
Nathan King, a beat writer for the 247Sports website, tweeted this out on Sunday night:
Gus Malzahn emerged as a leading candidate in UCF's head coaching search this weekend. @AUUndercover can now confirm the former #Auburn coach has been offered the job https://t.co/EY1WOhRgSS
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No one knows what’s going to happen to the 2020 college football season. We’ll take a general look at where each team stands – doing it without spring ball to go by – while crossing our fingers that we’ll all have some well-deserved fun this fall. Hoping you and yours are safe and healthy.
5. College Football News Preview 2020: UCF Knights Offense 3 Things To Know
– The machine isn’t slowing down. No, UCF might not have cranked up the 627 points of the 2017 team, but under head coach Josh Heupel over the last two seasons, and the O continues to work at warp speed and lethal efficiency.
The Knights were second in the nation behind LSU averaging 541 yards per game, and they were fifth in scoring averaging 43.4 points per outing. And it’s all going to keep on going.
CFN in 60 Video: North Carolina Preview
North Carolina at UCF, Sept. 4
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– The Knights are once again great at quarterback. It didn’t quite happen like it was supposed to – Darriel Mack and former Notre Dame transfer Brandon Wimbush were expected to provide a fantastic quarterback punch – but injuries led to the rise of Dillon Gabriel, a 6-0, 186-pound sophomore who stepped in and bombed away for 3,653 yards and 29 touchdowns with seven interceptions, and he ran for four scores.
Wimbush is gone, but Mack is back after suffering a broken ankle that cost him most of last year. McKenzie Milton is still trying to work his way back from the frightening leg injury from a few seasons ago, but the team has to count on Dillon and Mack.
Helping the cause is another loaded receiving corps. Leading receiver Gabriel Davis is now a Buffalo Bill, but veteran Tre Nixon is back after averaging close to 17 yards per grabs with seven touchdowns, and senior Marlon Williams is back after finishing second on the team with 51 grabs. Former WKU transfer Jacob Harris has one year left after averaging 24 yards per catch.
Throw in TE Jake Hescock – a former Wisconsin transfer – 6-4 new-recruit Ja’Cyais Credle and former Oklahoma transfer Jaylon Robinson, and there’s great-looking depth.
– Adrian Killins is gone from the running back rotation, but Otis Anderson is back after leading the way with 726 yards and five scores – he’ll work at a wide receiver at times, too – and Bentavious Thompson and Greg McCrae are both back after combining for 1,133 yards and 15 scores. There’s even more young talent waiting in the wings.
The offensive front wasn’t great in pass protection, but it did a great job for the running game – and it was all just getting going.
Losing C Jordan Johnson hurts, but three starters are back including 6-6, 335-pound junior Samuel Jackson at one tackle spot and 6-4, 312-pound guard Cole Schneider at guard. Getting Tennessee transfer Marcus Tatum to help at tackle is a good thing, and years of good recruiting has improved the depth.
NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: UCF Knights Defense 3 Things To Know
It’s been a long time coming but the 2020 NFL Draft has finally come and gone. In the process the Jacksonville Jaguars used all of their 12 selections which means they probably won’t be as active as far as undrafted free agency goes. Still, there …
It’s been a long time coming but the 2020 NFL Draft has finally come and gone. In the process the Jacksonville Jaguars used all of their 12 selections which means they probably won’t be as active as far as undrafted free agency goes.
Still, there could be some gems to be found during the undrafted process which is how the Jags found players like receiver Keelan Cole, cornerback Tre Herndon, and safety Jarrod Wilson. With the Jags looking to start a new youth movement and build a better nucleus the 2020 roster may end up having a few undrafted rookies on it, too.
After searching the web, here are some of the updrafted rookies the Jags have been able to come to terms with from the 2020 class:
(*Note: We’ll be updating this over the next few days)
Josh Hammond, WR, Florida
Gators WR Josh Hammond signing with the Jaguars as an UDFA. Great fit for him
Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with UCF wide receiver Gabriel Davis
The 2020 NFL draft is loaded with talent at wide receiver, which could give all 32 teams some fantastic value outside the first round.
One pass-cather who has his draft stock moving in the right direction? UCF’s Gabriel Davis, who made tons of big plays for the Knights throughout his career.
Davis recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his decision to leave school early, the toughest competition he’s ever faced, and what fans can expect from him at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine.
JM: You recently declared for the 2020 NFL draft, despite having one year of eligibility remaining. Can you walk me through your decision?
GD: I just felt like I’ve progressed every single year. It was an easy decision for me. I’ve been around the pro’s since high school. I feel like I’m ready to compete at the highest level.
JM: What do you mean when you say you’ve been around pros since high school?
GD: I’ve worked out with Tom Shaw down in Orlando. If you’re familiar with him, you know he’s trained a lot of guys for the combine and what not. He’s trained some superstars such as Derrick Henry, Dak Prescott, Saquon Barkley and so on. I’ve been blessed to spend a lot of time around guys like that. I was able to watch them and study them. It gave me great insight into how a pro should conduct himself. I’ve tried to take those things and incorporate them into my lifestyle. I feel like I’m ready for what’s next.
JM: How did playing at UCF help prepare you for what’s next?
GD: From a knowledge standpoint, I had some great coaches in my time there. Once you’re comfortable with the mental part of this game, everything happens so much faster for you. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still learning to this day. You can never know too much. I do feel like once you’re comfortable with the mental part of football, it makes you a better player. Those are the things I focused on at UCF. It taught me a lot. That’s what I took away from my time there.
JM: You mentioned the coaching staff. What’s the greatest lesson any coach there ever taught you?
GD: Two lessons come to mind. The biggest thing for me was, and this came from [wide receiver] coach [Darrell] Wyatt, he taught me to be relentless. He taught me to never be satisfied by any of my accomplishments. You can always work harder and you can always improve. I was also taught to practice like a pro. In every aspect of life, handle yourself like a pro. I’ve applied that to my every day life. I was blessed to have so many great coaches around me from a young age. I observed how to be a pro, I learned to be relentless and I learned to never be satisfied.
Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
JM: You’re about to go through a process that will lead to your dreams coming true. It’s a long process, but it’s incredibly rewarding. What are you most excited for?
GD: I’m excited to continue playing the sport that I love to play. I’ve been dreaming about this since I was nine years old. I’ve been telling my mom and anybody that would listen to me since I was nine that I was going to play in the NFL. The fact that I knew at that age what I wanted out of life, it helped me lead a life of determination. I’ve worked hard to get here and it’s finally happening. I’m very excited for what’s going on right now. I can’t wait to be around some of the greatest football players in the world. I’m incredibly blessed.
JM: What’s your favorite part about playing wide receiver?
GD: The competition, first and foremost. It’s very often a 1-on-1 matchup out there. I might see a double team or even a triple team, but I just love every opportunity to go out there and compete with the man across from me. I’m out there to make plays and that’s the best thing about it all. We compete against each other and we’re both out there trying to make plays.
JM: Speaking of competition, I wanna throw a little scenario at you. Say you get someone in man coverage, you have the corner on an island and you can run any route of your choosing. What are you running?
GD: A lot of receivers, we like to say the deep ball. We’re confident in that deep ball, I’m confident in my ability to go up and get it. We love running those go routes. I’m a physical, big receiver so I love to run a good slant as well. I like making them believe I’m going deep and I can make a big play underneath on a third-and-five for example. I like hitting them with something a little different. Those can be great plays, as well.
JM: Who are some of the best defensive backs you’ve ever gone up against?
GD: I have to say Brandon Moore from UCF, first and foremost. He’s a very technical defensive back. He’s a long, physical guy that can make plays. Mike Hughes is probably one of the most patient corners I’ve ever gone up against or been around. He’s just such a patient guy. You can even pull up some of his NFL film, watch him go up against guys like Amari Cooper and he remains patient and true to his craft. It’s very impressive to watch. Paulson Adebo would be another one. I really studied his game. He’s a great player. I would say he’s the best cornerback I’ve ever faced off with in an actual game. He was also patient and has great footwork. I really tried to study his game as best I could. He’s a great corner.
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
JM: If you could catch an NFL pass from one quarterback of your choosing, who would it be and why?
GD: One NFL quarterback playing right now? I gotta go with Aaron Rodgers. I’ve been watching him my whole life. My grandfather is actually a big Green Bay fan. We’ve been watching Green Bay games together dating back to the Brett Favre days. That’s why I’m going with Aaron Rodgers. There’s so many other great quarterbacks as well. Guys like Drew Brees, Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson. All of those guys are so great to me but Aaron Rodgers would be my choice.
JM: You might catch one of those famous Aaron Rodgers “Hail Mary” throws one day.
GD: Wouldn’t that be something? He has more than a few of those on his resume (laughs).
JM: I’ve heard rumors that you have the potential to put up an eye-popping number in the 40-yard dash. Any predictions?
GD: I know what I gotta do (laughs). I’m excited to show people that I can run fast. As long as I do that, I’ll be able to really surprise some people at the combine. I’m not gonna put any numbers out there. You’ll have to wait for the performance itself. I might just do something special out there.
