UCF’s RJ Harvey sets the TD mark, but the Knights fall to Utah

November 30, 2024

RJ Harvey found the end zone like he has done time and time again throughout his UCF career.

Forty-eight times to be exact.

Forty-eight times Harvey slashed, slashed, powered or dunked his way into the end zone.

This time, however, there were more than the previous 46, meaning the redshirt senior set the school record for touchdowns in a career – one more touchdown than previous record holder Kevin Smith.

Harvey’s 5-yard touchdown with 3:25 left in the second quarter Friday night secured him a place in UCF history. To mark this achievement, his offensive players surrounded him and placed an imaginary crown on his head to honor him as the king of all time.

It was a highlight – unfortunately the only highlight for the Knights, who lost their season finale 28:14 to Utah.

“(I’m) disappointed in our loss, but more importantly, disappointed for our seniors,” coach Gus Malzahn said. “We wanted to bring these guys out in a positive way. The bottom line is we didn’t play well enough to win.”

Twenty-five Knights, including Harvey, took the field before the game to be honored as part of Senior Night and to recognize their final college games.

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UCF Knights running back RJ Harvey (7) and teammates celebrate his recorded breaking touchdown during the college football game against Utah Utes at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Friday, November 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./ Orlando Sentinel)

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UCF (4-8, 2-7 Big 12) took the first kickoff and drove to the Utah 29, but the drive stalled due to two penalties and a fumble by quarterback Dylan Rizk. The Utes recovered the ball at the UCF 46 and converted the mistake into a 37-yard field goal by kicker Cole Becker.

Utah (5-7, 2-7 Big 12) extended the lead to 10-0 after cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn intercepted a Rizk pass midway through the second quarter and returned it 59 yards for a touchdown. It was Rizk’s second interception of the season; both were pick-6s.

“You have to be fair to him. He’s still learning,” Malzahn said of the redshirt freshman, who finished 11 of 27 for 118 yards with the interception. “He had a rough night; There is no doubt about that. But he has a bright future and there will be better days for him.”

Harvey’s 5-yard TD cut UCF’s deficit to 10-7, but a 24-yard field goal from Becker increased the score to 13-7 at halftime.

Both teams remained scoreless in the third quarter as they combined to go 2 of 7 on third downs.

Utah opened the game early in the fourth quarter when quarterback Luke Bottari threw a laser-like pass to tight end Landen King in the left corner of the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown. The ensuing 2-point conversion extended the Utes’ lead to 21-7 with 14:46 left.

True freshman EJ Colson entered the game midway through the fourth but fared no better as Utah safety Smith Snowden intercepted a pass and returned it 19 yards for another pick-6, increasing the lead to 28-7.

UCF tacked on another touchdown when Harvey caught a 6-yard pass from Colson with 19 seconds left.

Harvey, who rushed for 119 yards on 20 attempts and two total touchdowns, sat alone on the bench as players left the field after the loss.

“That was one of our goals, so I’m happy for him that he was able to accomplish it,” Malzahn said of Harvey becoming the all-time touchdown leader. “RJ is a great player. He has a great future. He was a great representative of our university and our football team.”

The loss ended a brutal season for the Knights, who fell well short of their preseason expectations. This also marks the beginning of what will likely be one of the most critical offseasons in the program’s history.

When asked where the program is headed after this season, Malzahn tried to remain optimistic.

“We will evaluate everything and catch up,” said Malzahn. “It feels bad at the moment. It’s the culmination of a not very good season. I think everyone knows that. We meet the guys coming back, recruit, enter the portal and are ready for the next one.”

Malzahn didn’t want to say whether he was worried about his job.

“For me it’s about making this team better,” he said.

Matt Murschel can be reached at [email protected]

Originally published: November 29, 2024 at 11:40 pm EST

Tags:big 12, Gus Malzahn, RJ Harvey, UCF Knights, Utah Utes

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