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The No. 15 University of Central Florida Knights defeated the No. 6 Baylor Bears 52-42 in the BCS Fiesta Bowl. This was both schools first appearance in the final year of BCS bowl games. UCF was a 17 point underdog coming into the game, led the whole game except when the score was tied at 28. Star Quarterback Blake Bortles threw for 301 yards, 3 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, had a rushing touchdown and ran for a career-high 93 yards for the Knights. Bortles was the Fiesta Bowl MVP and help the Knights become the Fiesta Bowl Champions. Bortles is projected be a top five pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.

 

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Knights Running Back Storm Johnson led the team with 124 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns. Knights Wide Receiver Rannell Hall had 4 catches, a game-high 113 yards receiving and a game-high 2 touchdown catches. Bears Quarterback Bryce Petty threw for 356 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception and had 3 rushing touchdowns. Bears Running Back Lache Seastrunk led the team in rushing with 117 yards.

 

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Baylor defense couldn’t stop Bortles or Johnson and clearly looked like the underdogs most of the game. UCF is finally on the map with a big-time football program and they have the second largest university in America. Hopefully this win can get them a top ten final AP poll finish and a top 10 recruiting class.

 

 

By: Abner Jackson III, Content Writer for STACKS Magazine