3 games balls for UCF's dominant win over New Hampshire in Week 1

UCF won their Week 1 matchup against FCS opponent New Hamshire in a convincing fashion. The Knights should have won that game in a convincing fashion, so they got the job done.

There were things that definitely need to be corrected as the Knights head into Week 2 and the rest of the season. KJ Jefferson needs to show he can play the quarterback position more efficiently than he did in Week 1. Wide receivers also need to get in the game, but that will come with better quarterback play.

However, other than quarterback play, there is not much else UCF will have to fix heading into Week 2. There were three players that stood out though in the Knights' 57-3 win over New Hampshire, so here are three game balls commemorating their great gameplay at the start of the season.

1. The running back room

Now I know I said three players, but it just doesn't seem fair to pick one running back who was better than the others in UCF's first game of the season. The Knights running back room showed that they should be one of the most feared in the country by putting up 454 rushing yards and scoring five of UCF's seven touchdowns.

It seems like Harvey should get the game ball putting up 142 yards on 11 carries adn being the only running back with over 100 rushing yards and two touchdowns, but it was a group effort in the backfield. Transfers Peny Boone and Myles Montgomery were electric in their UCF debut with Boone having 81 yards on seven carries and a touchdown and Montgomery having 77 yards on eight carries and a rushing touchdown coupled with a receiving touchdown for 49 yards.

Johnny Richardson can't be forgotten as he has been a staple in the running back room for UCF with 40 yards on 7 carries but also had a receiving touchdown for 22 yards. This running back room as a whole will be a nightmare for opposing defenses and they all deserve a game ball.

2. Deshawn Pace

Deshawn Pace transferred to UCF from rival Cincinnati in the offseason and started off his UCF career with a bang. Not only did Pace have a game-changing interception that was almost returned for a touchdown, but he also led the defense with five total tackles, three solo tackles.

Pace was all over the field for the Knights against New Hampshire and showed he was able to step into this new defense and shine. Again this was an FCS opponent, so good defensive play was expected, but with a new defensive coordinator in Orlando, Pace showed that he can lead this secondary and be a scary threat for any quarterback to throw towards.

3. Ladarius Tennison

The special teams as a whole could also deserve a game ball, but Ole Miss transfer Ladarius Tennison had a great UCF debut and deserves the game ball all to himself. Tennison came to UCF as the reigning All-SEC Special Teamer of the Year and he showed against New Hampshire in Week 1.

In the second quarter, Tennison blocked a punt that went into the Knights' endzone and resulted in a safety, giving the Knights some momentum on offense. It was UCF's first blocked punt since 2022 against Cincinnati. Tennison flew around on special teams and is a great addition to this Knights squad earning him a Week 1 game ball.