Gus Malzahn might need some new glasses because how he didn't see the talent in Dylan Rizk before Week 10 is truly a crime. The redshirt freshman out of Ft. Lauderdale got his first start for UCF against Arizona in their eighth-annual Space Game and has given new life to what has been a stagnant UCF offense this season.
The redshirt freshman saw the field for the first time last week in the final minutes against BYU and showcased his arm talent, making fans wonder where he has been all season. Then, on Monday, the news of defensive coordinator Ted Roof being fired took over the UCF news boards, as well as Malzahn handing over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr., but not starting quarterback was named.
After the news of the coaching movements died down, the burning question of who would start at quarterback became louder and louder. Finally, just before the start of the game, Malzahn announced Rizk would get the start as the fourth starting quarterback for the Knights this season, the most in the FBS.
While some fans will say the play of this team is because of the space game, I will sit here and say it is all in the quarterback play. Rizk finished his first start 20-for-25 for 294 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. He also was a threat on the ground with 9 carries for 55 rushing yards. Rizk helped lead the Knights to a 56-12 win over the Arizona Wildcats for their fourth win of the season, stopping a five-game skid.
The difference in this offense against Arizona is the fact that the Wildcats had to actually worry about the passing game. In the Knights' first eight games this season, the passing threat has not been much of one, which allowed opposing defenses to focus more on the run game with RJ Harvey. The good thing is that Harvey is an elite running back and was still able to do damage, but he wasn't able to solely win games for UCF.
Against Arizona, Harris was able to mix up play calls to keep the defense honest and Rizk just went to work. The most impressive play he had was the Hail Mary pass he threw just as time expired in the first half for a touchdown to tight end Randy Pittman Jr. which gave the Knights a 35-6 lead going into halftime.
'NAUT HAIL MARY TO END A 35-POINT FIRST HALF 🚀#Big12FB | 📺 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/GL07Vv5Ask
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) November 2, 2024
UCF has had a solid receiving core all season long, but poor quarterback play never showcased that. Fans still be calling for Malzahn's job simply for the fact that he waited till Week 10 to play Rizk and had all that talent sitting on the bench during a five-game losing streak.
A lot of questions will be answered as UCF takes on West Virginia next when the Mountaineers have more film on Rizk, but if he can continue to play the way he did against Arizona, he could become yet another household name who wears the No. 10, along with UCF legend McKenzie Milton and last years quarterback John Rhys Plumlee.