UCF Knights QB John Rhys Plumlee Profile

On the ground, Plumlee was once again dynamic. He carried 16 times for 100 yards and a score. He's now the leading rusher in the American Athletic Conference with 404 yards, a 5.9 average, and four touchdowns.

His ability to run helped the Knights pull out the victory by the score of 27-10.

Sep. 17 at FAU

After producing an electric performance, the remaining nine teams on the UCF schedule will need to come with unique ideas to help keep Plumlee from shredding their defenses.

Plumlee’s ability to run when there’s no other chance for a positive play is almost as good as an actual drawn out play itself. He simply fakes out the first defender more often than not and also possesses the burst necessary to create separation from defenders chasing him. He’s averaging 5.7 yards per carry this season. There’s also this play:

Rushing: 20 carries, 121 yards, 6.1 average, and two touchdowns.

Passing: 25 of 36, 69.4%, 339 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Sep. 9 vs. Louisville

Passing: 16 of 34, 47.1%, 131 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.

Rushing: 17 carries for 83 yards, a 4.9 yard average.

Plumlee’s performance provides many ebbs and flows to consider, but none more important than the fact that the passing game did not provide any form of a rhythm after halftime.

He certainly ran the football well during both the first and second half, but some unfortunate news seemed to bog down the offense for the Knights.

With wide receiver Ryan O’Keefe on the sideline with an apparent injury, and tight end Kemore Gamble missing much of the game with another apparent injury, Louisville pinned its ears back and came after Plumlee.

In the third quarter, went four of five for a mere 14 yards. The UCF offensive front was now seeing different blitzes, and UCF could not find consistency with Plumlee behind center.

The fourth quarter was more of the same as Plumlee went two of 11 for 39 yards and an interception. The Knights have many issues to resolve with the passing game regardless of the health of O’Keefe and Gamble.

It’s football and teams must find a way to help the starting quarterback have success. UCF is no different.

Sep. 1 vs. South Carolina State

Plumlee's first career start for the Knights behind center went well. When throwing the football, Plumlee was dynamic.

Passing Statistics: 20 of 31, 64.5%, 308 yards and four touchdown passes.

Rushing Statistics: 15 times for 86 yards (101 if one does not account for sacks), a 5.7 average, and a touchdown.

Plumlee's ability to stretch the field was a major reason that UCF was balanced as an offense.

offensive balance on display ⚖️ pic.twitter.com/sXEt3D0H7S
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) September 2, 2022

Big plays: With 11:10 remaining in the first quarter, Plumlee connected with Alabama transfer wide receiver Javon Baker for a 12-yard touchdown pass to put the Knights up 7-0. During the drive, Plumlee also had a run for 28 yards.

With 7:17 to go in the first quarter, Plumlee hit tight end Kemore Gamble for a 30-yard touchdown.

The third touchdown for Plumlee came with 3:10 in the first quarter, a 17-yard touchdown run that saw him break tackles to reach the end zone. During the drive, he connected on a deep ball to wide receiver Ryan O'Keefe that went for 45 yards.

Speedy running back Johnny Richardson found the end zone himself after catching a short Plumlee pass, with this one coming from 18 yards out with 5:32 remaining in the third quarter.

Plumlee's final touchdown of the evening was a 21-yard strike to tight end Zach Marsh-Wojan.

#UCF just keeps on scoring. It's now 49-10 Knights with 13:15 remaining in the 4th quarter. The last TD comes from a @PlumleeJohn 20-yard pass to TE Zach Marsh-Wojan. #ChargeOn
— Inside The Knights (@UCF_FanNation) September 2, 2022