That UCF Gus Bus we were so excited about before the season is now officially having serious mechanical difficulties and may need a complete engine overhaul after Saturday’s stunning 34-30 loss at previously winless Navy.
Brace yourself, Knight Nation, coach Gus Malzahn’s inaugural season could be unexpectedly mediocre based on what happened Saturday when his injury-riddled team lost its second straight game after getting steamrollered by a Navy triple-option offense that ran for 348 yards, outgained UCF 406-326 and held the ball nearly twice as long as the Knights.
Although Navy was a 16½-point underdog, I can’t really say I’m shocked by this upset. In fact, I half-expected it. The Knights weren’t just playing without their star quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who is likely out for the season with a broken collarbone, but they were playing without their best running back (Isaiah Bowser), their best receiver (Jaylon Robinson) and their best linebacker (Tatum Bethune) as well as starting defensive lineman Ricky Barber and starting defensive back Corey Thornton.
