UCF improved to 8-0 in their annual Space Game, and some might say it is because of the uniforms as the magic they possess, but many others will say it was because of the quarterback play of redshirt freshman Dylan Rizk. The Ft. Lauderdale native got the first start of his career today and made the most of it. It impressed not just the fans but anyone with eyes.
Fans are wondering not just how this kid was sitting on the bench this season but how he was so far as fourth down on the depth chart for the Knights. Rizk did something that no other UCF quarterback has been able to do this season and that was pass the ball.
So fans took to X (formally known as Twitter) to question how head coach Gus Malzahn allowed Rizk to sit on the bench all season long, especially during a five-game losing streak with all the talent he has.
Gus Malzahn has coached his best games at UCF with the type of qb prototype he doesn’t like and that’s his problem
— Jack Shannon (@jackshannonnnnn) November 2, 2024
Malzahn has always loved a physical quarterback with a big arm but has the body to run the football. Basically, he wants a Cam Newton 2.0, but maybe Rizk will show him the light.
“Common sense” and “Gus Malzahn” don’t go together often.
— Fire Gus Malzahn into the Sun (@evanlando_) November 2, 2024
If "Gus Malzahn" and "common sense" went together, Rizk would have been starting so much earlier this season, maybe not at the beginning of the season with the hype around KJ Jefferson, but definitely a lot sooner than Wee 10.
The fact that Dylan Rizk hasn’t been starting all year long should be a crime that Gus Malzahn should be charged with
— Cory (@Cory_Hays407) November 2, 2024
Sadly, there is no law that was broken with Malzahn leaving Rizk on the bench this long, but he will have to hear it from the fans from this moment forward.
I’ll never forgive Gus Malzahn for having this kid as QB4
— Kup’o Beer (@KupoBeer) November 2, 2024
At the very least, this kid should have been the backup, he has way too much talent to have been the fourth-strong quarterback. Let's just hope he doesn't get any ideas of transferring because from what he showed today, he is special.
Gus Malzahn has a QB evaluation issue. I know it’s a small sample size, but how in the world did Gus and this staff not give Dylan Rizk a chance earlier?
— Alex Walker (@AlexWalkerTV) November 2, 2024
That’s an elite throw. He is checking all of the boxes. Goodness.
Seven straight touchdown drives.
Rizk had a number of amazing throws against Arizona that showed that he is a special player and it truly just makes you wonder how Malzahn overlooked this kid for so long.
4th string qb huh…
— Noah (@e92noah) November 2, 2024
It is still baffling that he was the fourth-string quarterback.
Imagine if Dylan Rizk was starting all season. Gus Malzahn will pay for his crimes
— LeBron’s other wife 🏆🇭🇹 (@__jeffane) November 2, 2024
UCF's season could look very different right now if Malzahn had made this decision sooner, but we will never know, and now we just have to move forward with the information we have.