How Can UCF Avoid Another Let Down Performance Following Kansas Victory?

UCF got back on the winning side of things in Saturday's road victory over Kansas, ending a 12-game drought away from the Bounce House.

Moving back above .500 at 5-4, the Knights are positioned to make their first bowl game appearance since head coach Scott Frost's return with just one more victory, but the team is focused on using the back half of the year to write their legacy.

In Monday's press conference, Frost talked about the win, while emphasizing the importance of moving forward.

"We need to play better after a win," Frost said.

He is of course referring to the 41-9 bludgeoning UCF underwent against Baylor following the team's historic victory over then-ranked No. 2 BYU.

Throughout the week prior to the Baylor game, Frost talked about needing to flush the emotional triumphs and dumps from the BYU victory, but the Knights came out flat.

Now, heading into a home matchup against Arizona State, UCF will face off with a team who is very similar to itself.

The Sun Devils are coming off a 20-10 victory over Colorado, and are also sitting at 5-4 overall with a 3-3 record in the conference.

Like the Knights, Arizona State does a lot of damage through the ground game, with freshman tailback Cardae Mack averaging nearly six yards per carry.

Mack has accumulated 603 yards and six touchdowns with his legs, while adding an additional 123 yards and a score in the receiving game.

Three weeks ago, against Kansas State, Mack exploded for 159 rushing yards and four touchdowns, accounting for 100% of his team's scoring in a 28-17 victory.

Keeping Mack contained will be a focus for UCF's defense, which has held up against the run to this point in the season.

Shutting down Arizona State's running game will force the Sun Devils to lean on fellow freshman quarterback Jake Fette, who recently took over for the struggling Cutter Boley.

Fette has been solid thus far, throwing for two touchdowns against BYU and another score in the win over Colorado.

But, the Sun Devils' path to a victory clearly goes through having success in the run game, which will no doubt be a focus after the yardage Kansas accumulated on the ground last weekend.

Kansas quarterback Isaiah Marshall tormented UCF with his legs, running for 125 yards and two touchdowns.

The Knights look to secure postseason contention on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 3:30 p.m.