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High-scoring UCF squares off vs Marshall in Gasparilla Bowl | TribLIVE.com
U.S./World Sports

High-scoring UCF squares off vs Marshall in Gasparilla Bowl

Associated Press
Associated Press
2101580_web1_AP19339369527115
AP
Central Florida running back Otis Anderson waves a peace sign as he scores a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against South Florida, Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, in Orlando.
2101580_web1_2101580-3565bf1ef665482386f7a681a2b2238f
The Herald-Dispatch
Desiigner, center, a Brooklyn rapper, poses with Marshall and UCF players before the OnBikes Player Build as part of a Gasparilla Bowl NCAA college football event Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, at Curtis Hixon Park in Tampa, Fla.
2101580_web1_2101580-626aed664fe641049cae928e843e4bb3
AP
Central Florida quarterback Dillon Gabriel runs out of the pocket during the second half of the team’s NCAA college football game against South Florida, Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, in Orlando, Fla.
2101580_web1_2101580-978362830ced4b249be7a3a6c76d3b36
AP
Central Florida running back Otis Anderson sprints away from South Florida players during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, in Orlando, Fla.
2101580_web1_2101580-524bb737f5724b84ad018ff6d2861f33
AP
Central Florida quarterback Dillon Gabriel throws a short pass during the first half of the team’s NCAA college football game against South Florida, Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, in Orlando, Fla.
2101580_web1_2101580-0f9323c6829048a69f0c48f497d0fe44
The Herald-Dispatch
Marshall head coach Doc Holliday, right, laughs with associate athletics director David Steele as players participate in the OnBikes Player Build as part of a Gasparilla Bowl NCAA college football event Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, at Curtis Hixon Park in Tampa, Fla.

Gasparilla Bowl: Central Florida (9-3, 6-2 American) vs. Marshall (8-4, 6-2 Conference USA), Monday at 2:30 p.m. (ESPN).

Line: UCF by 16.

Series record: UCF 8-3.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Concerns about a letdown may be tempered with UCF playing about 100 miles from its Orlando campus in nearby Tampa, Florida. The Knights played in New Year’s Day bowl games the previous two seasons, beating Auburn two years ago in the Peach Bowl and losing to LSU in the last season’s Fiesta Bowl. Marshall has a knack for bowl success under coach Doc Holliday; the Thundering Herd is 6-0.

KEY MATCHUP

The quick-strike, high-scoring Central Florida offense against the Marshall defense. The Knights average 43 points and 536.6 yards but have the ball just 26:22 per game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

UCF: True freshman quarterback Gabriel Dillon has thrown for 3,393 yards and 27 touchdowns.

MARSHALL: Sophomore running back Brenden Knox may play a major role in helping the Thundering Herd’s defense by keeping UCF’s offense off the field if he has success in the ground game. The Conference USA MVP leads the league with 1,284 rushing yards.

FACTS & FIGURES

The game is being played at Raymond James Stadium, home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and UCF’s in-state and conference rival South Florida. … UCF is 34-4 since the start of the 2017 season. … Marshall is allowing 23.1 points a game.

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Categories: Sports | U.S./World Sports
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