For the first time since 2012, the UCF Knights have lost three consecutive games under head coach George O’Leary. The American Athletic Conference football team has had a rough couple of weeks as the team tries to find a winning combination on the field. Of course, the Knights haven’t had the best of luck these past couple of weeks. Two weeks ago in the UCF vs. Stanford game, UCF starting quarterback Justin Holman suffered a sever hand injury that has taken him out of the game for 2-4 weeks. Also during the Stanford game, starting center Joey Grant aggravated a reoccurring shoulder injury, ending his college football career all together.
While coach O’Leary tries to reorganize his offense, the team has seen some unfortunate loses since the beginning of the season, including a 15-14 loss against FIU, a 31-7 loss against Stanford and a crippling 16-15 loss against FCS team Furman this past Saturday at Brighthouse Network Stadium. With the longest losing streak UCF football has seen in over 3 seasons, many UCF fans have created a twitter handle titled “#FireOLeary”. Hundreds of Twitter users expressed their opinions after Saturdays lose. @bettercallsean twitted “UCF just gave Furman their first win vs a FBS team since ’99. Absolutely pathetic. #FireOLeary”. Another user, @BHTeacherAddie posted “Really not sure @UCF_Football will be getting my season tix and donation money next year #fireoleary #recruitbetter”. Whether fans believe it’s the coaching or the recruiting that has negatively affected the Knights, their match-up this upcoming Saturday against the South Carolina Gamecocks of the SEC is sure to be one of the hardest games of the season. Fans will find out on Saturday if the Knights will figure out an alternative offensive strategy during this weeks preparation for the big game.