TO CLOSE

UC coach Luke Fickell recounts a 35-13 loss to UCF
Tom Groeschen, [email protected]

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) battles defensive lineman Joey Connors (91) in the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 17, 2018 in Orlando, Florida . (Photo AP / Phelan M. Ebenhack)(Photo: Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP)

Even with a season that far exceeded expectations, his coach Luke Fickell and his football team from the University of Cincinnati were moved by the reality of Saturday night. 35-13 defeat at the UCF.

"We still have some way to go," said Fickell. "I felt it tonight, I'm not saying we could not win, I'm not saying we do not have it, but I still believe we have some way to go. will not lie to our guys.I want them to know that's what we need to aim for. "

UC (9-2, 5-2 American Athletic Conference East) was defeated by UCF (10-0, 7-0 AAC East) in a game that won the Knights division title. A national television audience watched on ABC, as well as a packed audience of 47,795 spectators at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando.

More: Bearcats overwhelmed by UCF Knights on national television

More: UC coach Luke Fickell looks back on a 35-13 loss to UCF

Some points to remember from the game, and a look at the future:

Perimeter speed was great: Throughout the week, UCF has done a lot of speed and speed, and this has been demonstrated both in running and in passes. UCF rushed for two touchdowns and threw for three, including 36- and 42-yard touchdowns by quarterback McKenzie Milton. Milton is also rushed for a score.

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"I think the edges, the big games in the passing game were obviously remarkable," said Fickell. "We knew we had to put our players apart, and we knew we had to play a few coins, but that cost us in the long run."

UCF launched for 268 yards, at 127 for UC. The UC has overtaken the Knights 252-134, but various Bearcats offensive misses and the fast offensive of the UCF have canceled much of that.

"It was not too difficult to recreate (the UCF offensive) in practice," said UC defensive tackle Cortez Broughton. "Overall, things are going according to plan, I think our fraternity as a team will help us get out of it."

Where was who passed Thu: Quarterback Desmond Ridder was only 11-for-26, for the 127 yards. Ridder was also fired four times.

Far receiver Kahlil Lewis made five receptions for 75 yards, but he was the only one to get more than one caught. It was a combination of recipients who did not get separation and close coverage from the UCF, issues that had made him think about it earlier this season.

Ridder in charge: Redshirt Freshman Ridder was on the run a good part of the night. With his team late in the third quarter, the television showed Ridder a lively monologue to his seated offensive linemen. The men of the line all sat quietly, shaking their heads.

It's a sign of a leader, and Ridder proved he was one. And, he will probably be in charge for another three years.

Meet the best: Fickell knew that the UC met his match.

"In some situations, we may not be able to play as we wished, perhaps because of certain confrontations," he said. "It's there that you have to challenge yourself, they were the best tonight, the best we've seen since we played."

Broughton said UC had made great progress after two consecutive seasons of 4-8.

"It means a lot," said Broughton. "CPUs, weaknesses and pitfalls have started to grow, you get moments like these, you have to expand them.The failure comes in. It all depends on your answer."

Center Garrett Campbell said that there were different breakdowns "group by group".

"Sometimes it's someone who does something wrong, it's a bit of a reflection of last year," Campbell said. "Everyone has to work together to get things done, I think that's what we missed tonight, some of us were a bit derisory."

Hard night: The game was stopped half a dozen times as a result of UC injuries. None seemed serious, at least in the early days.

"These things make me a little worse when the game is as it is," said Fickell. "I think it's one of those things we did not have to go through this year, and when you take a good shot, it's a little worse." That shot (hard hat) that Desmond Ridder took, you can not tell me that did not hurt as much as anyone caught in the game.

"To see him get up and keep driving, it's going to pay for us, if we're honest with ourselves and can really compare ourselves to the best, we'll be in a much better place."

On the bridge: UC finishes the regular season against East Carolina (3-7, 1-6 AAC East) Friday at the Nippert stadium at 15:30. on CBS Sports Network. In the coming weeks, UC will appear for the first time since the 2015 season.