South Florida Local News

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest Saturday during an attempted robbery in central San Francisco, officials said, and he was reported to be in serious but stable condition.

Mayor London Breed said in a post on the social platform X that Pearsall was shot in Union Square, which is a downtown shopping and theater district home to a popular public square of the same name.

49ers first-round pick Ricky Pearsall walking to the ambulance after being shot today during an attempted robbery in San Francisco.

First, there was Al Golden’s orange tie that fans wore in 2011 to say Miami was back. Remember? Then Mark Richt’s 10-0 start in 2015 had people daydream maybe, just maybe, they were back. That collapsed.

Manny Diaz brought the Turnover Chain in 2019. That brought back some a few days of fun and energy. But wins?

Mario Cristobal didn’t go to Gainesville with some tie or chain on Saturday for his third, desperate season opener.

He went with quarterback Cam Ward, who on his season-opening touchdown drive became the best Miami quarterback in two decades. He went with a Miami defense that played a dominant game right out of 2002.

Miami delivered a 41-17 win at Florida that confirmed all the off-season optimism, underlined the only thing that can stop them is if they don’t kneel down in the Victory Formation and demands the question in search of the right answer gets asked again.

So, are they back?

Did you see how Ward completed 26 of 35 passes for 385 yards and three touchdowns? Did you watch how this defense rolled up Florida’s pop-gun offense and knocked its quarterback from the game?

Related Articles

• College Sports | Cam Ward leads No. 19 Miami Hurricanes to rout over host Florida Gators in season-opening rivalry game

And did you see that receiver-reverse pass early in the fourth quarter with Miami leading 38-10? So, Xavier Restrepo overthrew a touchdown. So what?

No one’s seen something like that in decades. It was right out of Jimmy Johnson’s pour-it-on playbook. You wanted Florida alum Jesse Palmer to channel Ara Parseghian from the mid-1980s as Jimmy slapped around Notre Dame’s golden brand and ask Cristobal to not run up the score.

They’re so back.

Playing like this, they’re in line to take the ACC and host a game in the 12-team college playoff.   They aren’t ready for the likes of Georgia and Ohio State right now. Not for a national title from the looks of the last day of August.

But there’s four months of football left before…

… oh, wait. Some of you want to take a breath. You don’t want to over-celebrate one win. You don’t want to get carried away over beating mediocre Florida.

Have you looked at Miami’s schedule? It’s a bunch of mediocre Floridas wearing Virginia Tech and Duke and, yes, Florida State jerseys. There’s not a heavyweight on their schedule.

They’re the heavyweight. Saturday said that much. By the time Florida ritually played the Gainesville native Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” at the end of the third quarter, Florida had backed down and been embarrassed at home.

Even Miami’s bad plays on Saturday showed good things about his team.

For instance, Ward threw an across-his-body interception late in the first quarter to put Florida in business at Miami’s 33. The defense held. Ward led a 70-yard field-goal drive on the next possession.

Or there was this: Miami’s defense gave up one big play all day, a 71-yard touchdown run just with three minutes left in the half.

As Palmer said Miami would probably settle for a field goal, Ward threw three passes that said otherwise, the final one to Restrepo to cap a 75-yard touchdown drive.

“We’ve been looking for a team like this for a while,’’ Miami great Devin Hester said to ABC on the sideline in the fourth quarter.

Isn’t that it? Doesn’t that say how you left Saturday’s game?

Miami’s had a lot of false starts in thinking it’s back over the past two decades. This doesn’t feel like one of them. They have the portal quarterback playing in a talented offense. They have the kind of defense that can that can hold the day.

They have an attitude right out of yesteryear, too.

“Mission accomplished,’’ tweeted Rudy Fernandez, Miami’s vice president who oversaw this sports overhaul of the past few years. “We drained the swamp.”

You can say it’s too early, that it’s a long season, that you’re not going to count the wins before they happen. But come on. Even the acting president was sounding a clarion call.

They’re so back, aren’t they?

 

GAINESVILLE — We waited nine months for this?

A season opener full of promise fell flat as Florida was outclassed by visiting No. 19 Miami during a 41-17 beatdown that  Gators coach Billy Napier could ill afford entering a pivotal season.

Behind game-breaking dual-threat quarterback Cam Ward, the Hurricanes stunned a reported crowd of 90,544 at a sold-out crowd Swamp and placed Napier squarely on the hot seat.

“They beat us today,” Napier said. “Miami outplayed us, they outcoached us, and give them credit.”

The loss — the Gators’ sixth straight — dropped Napier to 11-15 at UF, including 2-10 against ranked opponents. The lopsided defeat also leaves Napier 9-5 in the Swamp, matching Steve Spurrier’s loss total (68-5) in 12 seasons at the venue the Gators’ icon nicknamed and turned into one of college football’s best home-field advantages.

Nothing Saturday was going to offset the Hurricanes’ talent edge, beginning with Ward and extending across the board.

Miami running back Damien Martinez (6) catches a pass for a touchdown on Florida linebacker Grayson Howard (10) during the Gators’ 41-17 loss Aug. 31 to the No. 19 Hurricanes in the Swamp. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

Ward faced little if any pressure all day as he finished 26 of 35 passing for 385 yards and 3 scores, culminating with a 23-yard touchdown to Jacolby George to push the lead to 38-10. On the play, Ward scrambled to his left and threw across his body while perfectly leading his receiver to paydirt.

Graham Mertz and Florida’s attack could not begin to keep up. The Gators’ veteran QB never established a rhythm as the Hurricanes dominated the line of scrimmage, even with star end Rueben Bain Jr. injured early in the game.

A season after he led the SEC with a 72.9% completion rate, Mertz finished 11 of 20 for 91 yards with an interception near the goal line on a pass intended for Tre Wilson late in the third quarter. Mertz sustained a concussion on the play and left the game, forcing freshman DJ Lagway into action.

“He’ll be in protocol,” Napier said of Mertz. “We’ll give you an update when we meet with [media] Monday and Wednesday of next week.”

Lagway finished 3 of 6 for 31 yards with an interception, along with 20 yards rushing on 4 carries. A 16-yard pass from Lagway to Wilson with 10:11 to go finally gave the Gators 200 total yards. Miami finished with a 529-261 edge while UF converted just 1 of 9 third downs.

Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (1) breaks away and scores on a 71-yard touchdown run during the Gators’ 41-17 loss to Miami at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

With Florida trailing 17-3 with 3:32 remaining in the first half and the game slipping away, Montrell Johnson Jr. gave the Gators a glimmer of hope with a 71-yard touchdown run. Johnson, back from minor knee surgery in early August, took a handoff from Mertz on first down, followed blocks by left guard Knijeah Harris and center Jake Slaughter around the corner and outraced Miami’s defense to the end zone.

But Ward and Co. quickly answered with an eight-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 24-yard touchdown strike between two defenders to Xavier Restrepo, one of 7 catches for 112 yards by the Hurricanes’ star.

The half ended 45 seconds later with a sack of Mertz. A smattering of boos followed the Gators into the locker room.

“I’m not here to make excuses,” Napier said. “We’ve got to get it fixed. We’re going to get another opportunity next week, and we’ve got to play better and coach better.”

The Gators host Samford Sept. 7 at 7 p.m.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

GAINESVILLE — The Cam Ward Era of Hurricanes football began exactly how Miami fans dreamed it would.

Ward, the Washington State transfer helped drive his new team 84 yards down the field, ending the drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to tight end Cam McCormick. Miami 7, Florida 0.

Ward and the Hurricanes kept on rolling, and the new UM quarterback led No. 19 Miami to a 41-17, season-opening road win over rival Florida at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. He threw three touchdown passes in the victory.

“Yeah, he’s not bad,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said. “Special guy. … He’s just scratching the surface.”

The Miami win snapped a streak of 34 straight home-opener victories for Florida, and it was the most points UF has ever allowed in a home opener. Saturday’s victory was Miami’s first against Florida since 2013 and first in Gainesville since 2002.

“It’s embarrassing, to be quite honest with you,” Florida coach Billy Napier said. “That’s how I feel. That’s how our kids feel.”

Good punt coverage from Florida forced Miami to start its second drive at its own 2-yard line, and Ward ended the drive with an interception. The Gators turned the pick into their first points of the game on a 41-yard field goal.

After forcing a turnover on downs at its own 42-yard line, Miami’s offense drove back down the field and scored on a 10-yard touchdown run by sophomore (and American Heritage alum) Mark Fletcher Jr., who chose the Hurricanes over the Gators before signing in 2022. 

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The Gators were down, but not out. After forcing the Hurricanes’ first punt of the game, Florida cut the lead back to one touchdown on the drive’s first play: a 71-yard touchdown run by Montrell Johnson.

Ward and the Hurricanes’ offense kept rolling as the half neared its end. Miami went 75 yards in eight plays and 2:36, ending with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Ward to wide receiver Xavier Restrepo.

Fletcher added his second touchdown of the game on Miami’s opening drive in the second half, scoring by jumping over the pile at the goal line and giving the Hurricanes a three-score lead.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone shine as bright as he did while going through his rehab process,” Restrepo said. “Every day he came with a smile on his face and words of wisdom to give to us.”

Florida’s last, best chance to get back into the game came and went midway through the third quarter. Wide receiver Sam Brown Jr. could not hold onto a pass from Ward, and it was initially ruled a fumble. The Gators appeared poised to take over at the Hurricanes’ 32-yard line with a chance to get back in the game.

After review, the play was called an incomplete pass. Miami went on to go up 28 points on a 23-yard touchdown from Ward to Jacolby George. Ward escaped pressure in the pocket and hit George in the back of the end zone.

“I’ve made plays like that before, so that was a routine play for me,” Ward said. “Great catch by him. He was able ot hae good spatial awareness in the back of the end zone.”

An interception by safety Meesh Powell, making his Miami debut, ended one of Florida’s most productive drives of the game and basically ended the game in the third quarter.

“No one ever likes to talk about the starting point, how to really start it,” Cristobal said. “When we got to Miami, there was a lot of work to do. These guys have been through a lot. They made the decision that that’s it, it was enough. They’ve had enough. And they were going to prove that by the way that they played the game.”

Five takeaways 1. Cam Ward is as advertised

The Hurricanes’ new quarterback was everything Miami fans could have wanted and more. The former Washington State standout opened the game with a touchdown and kept his foot on the gas until the end of the game.

Ward finished the game with 26 completions on 35 attempts for 385 yards and three touchdowns. He had one interception in the first quarter, but that was the lone blemish on his record.

“He’s ridiculous,” Restrepo said. “He’s amazing. He’s a ballplayer. We’re super lucky to have him.”

Ward is the first Hurricanes quarterback to throw for more than 300 yards in his UM debut since at least 1979, according to AP.

2. Offensive line remains a strength

Part of the reason for Ward’s success in his Miami debut was because his offensive line excelled in the trenches.

The Gators’ defense hardly touched Ward, and when they did, they were twice penalized for late hits.

Miami’s offensive line returned three of five starters from last year’s strong unit, but the newcomers did not have any issues Saturday. The Hurricanes rotated Ryan Rodriguez and Matt McCoy at left guard (one of the few position battles in fall camp), and both appeared to perform well.

Florida finally got to Ward for a sack in the fourth quarter, forcing a Miami punt.

“They played a clean game all game,” Ward said.

3. Defense dominates

With the exception of one, 71-yard touchdown run by standout running back Montrell Johnson, the Gators could not generate much offense against the Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes held the Gators to 261 offensive yards, and nine of their 13 drives ended in punts or turnovers.

Safety Meesh Powell, making his Miami debut, effectively sealed the win with an interception in the red zone that he returned 67 yards to the Florida 28. Jaden Harris picked off a pass late in the fourth quarter, as well.

4. Xavier Restrepo picks up where he left off

Restrepo had a breakout 2023 campaign, becoming one of the few UM receivers to ever put together a 1,000-yard receiving season. He earned All-ACC honors for his effort last year.

The slot receiver did not miss a beat to start the 2024 season. Restrepo, a fifth-year senior, appears on his way to repeat last year. He notched 112 receiving yards and had a touchdown catch. He also had a highlight-reel catch and completed a catch-and-run with a spin move that beat a UF defender.

“X was always good, and now he’s taken to another level,” Cristobal said. “Besides the great hands, you see the way he contorts his body to make catches. He understands what’s going around him, too, almost like a sixth sense.”

5. Injuries take early toll

The Hurricanes entered Saturday’s season-opener healthy, with no starters out due to injury. But it did not stay that way.

Miami lost star defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. to injury early in the game, and he did not return. UM also lost starting defensive back Damari Brown in the first half, as well as backup safety Markeith Williams. Williams did return to the game. Starting left guard Ryan Rodriguez left the game late in the fourth quarter.

Fortunately for Miami, Cristobal said Bain and Brown’s injuries were “soft tissue” injuries, and they should not miss more than a week or two. Cristobal said Rodriguez appeared to have a sprained ankle but may return soon.

Today is Saturday, Aug. 31, the 244th day of 2024. There are 122 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Aug. 31, 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales, was killed as the car she was riding in crashed on the Pont de l’Alma bridge in Paris; her partner Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul (who was found to have been intoxicated at the time of the accident) also died.

Also on this date:

In 1881, the first U.S. tennis championships (for men only) began in Newport, Rhode Island.

In 1886, an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of up to 7.3 devastated Charleston, South Carolina, killing at least 60 people.

In 1962, the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago became independent of British colonial rule.

In 1980, Poland’s Solidarity labor movement was born with an agreement signed in Gdansk (guh-DANSK’) that ended a 17-day-old strike.

In 1992, white separatist Randy Weaver surrendered to authorities in Naples, Idaho, ending an 11-day siege by federal agents that had claimed the lives of Weaver’s wife, son and a deputy U.S. marshal.

In 1994, Russia officially ended its military presence in the former East Germany and the Baltics after half a century.

In 2006, Edvard Munch’s painting “The Scream” was recovered by Norwegian authorities after being stolen nine days earlier.

In 2010, President Barack Obama announced the end of the U.S. combat mission in Iraq, declaring no victory after seven years of bloodshed and telling those divided over the war in his country and around the world: “it’s time to turn the page.”

In 2019, a gunman carried out a shooting rampage that stretched ten miles between the Texas communities of Midland and Odessa, leaving seven people dead before police killed the gunman outside a movie theater in Odessa.

Today’s Birthdays:

• World Golf Hall of Famer Isao Aoki is 82.
• Violinist Itzhak Perlman is 79.
• Singer Van Morrison is 79.
• Rock musician Rudolf Schenker (The Scorpions) is 76.
• Actor Richard Gere is 75.
• Actor Stephen McKinley Henderson is 75.
• Attorney and author Marcia Clark is 71.
• Olympic gold medal hurdler Edwin Moses is 69.
• Rock singer Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze) is 67.
• Rock musician Gina Schock (The Go-Go’s) is 67.
• Singer-composer Deborah Gibson is 54.
• Queen Rania of Jordan is 54.
• Golfer Padraig (PAH’-drig) Harrington is 53.
• Actor Chris Tucker is 53.
• Actor Sara Ramirez is 49.
• Former NFL wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is 41.
• NBA All-Star Jalen Brunson is 28.

By ERIC HE

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Matt Chapman hit a bases-clearing double in the eighth inning, Blake Snell pitched seven strong innings and the San Francisco Giants beat the Miami Marlins 3-1 on Friday night.

With the Giants trailing 1-0, Chapman ripped a slider on a two-strike count from Miami reliever George Soriano into the left-center field gap to score all three runners with two outs.

“Thank God,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said of his reaction to Chapman’s hit, adding that the team “needed a spark like that.”

The Giants are back at .500 at 68-68 but remain 6 1/2 games out of a playoff spot.

“Our season is not over by any means,” Chapman said. “We still have life. We still have things to show up and work hard for and play for. Our goal is to win every single day until somebody says we’re eliminated.”

Chapman, who saw six pitches from Soriano before getting to the slider, said he felt more comfortable as the at-bat went on.

“I was lucky to be able to put a good spin on that last one,” Chapman said.

The game, which was scoreless through six innings, featured a pitchers’ duel between Snell and the Marlins’ Adam Oller.

Snell had not allowed a run in four straight home starts prior to Friday and entered the game with a 1.30 ERA in his last nine outings. He continued his torrid pace since the All-Star break with eight strikeouts in seven innings, allowing a run on four hits with just one walk.

“Vintage Blake,” Melvin said. “It’s almost a shock when he gives up a run, especially with guys on base like that.”

Snell, who has a player option after this season, said he isn’t thinking about his future.

“Where I’m at is where I’m at,” Snell said. “My feet are here, and I’m not going to look at what ifs or what could happen possibly. It doesn’t matter. Right now, I’m here. We need to win. I love this team, and that’s all I’m focused on.”

The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner was matched by Oller, who signed with Miami as a minor league free agent in July. Making his third start for the Marlins since being called up earlier this month, Oller had his best outing of the season with a career-high eight strikeouts in six scoreless innings.

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said before the game that the key for Oller to become a consistent major league starter is to throw consistent strikes.

“He’s comfortable at the big-league level, but he also understands that this is one of his shots to pitch every fifth day,” Schumaker said. “He hasn’t had really that shot in a long time — or if ever — to pitch every fifth day and show what he’s capable of doing.”

David Hensley had an RBI single in the seventh to give the Marlins a 1-0 lead.

Tyler Rogers (3-4) pitched a scoreless eighth and Ryan Walker recorded his fifth save of the season for San Francisco.

Miami reliever Mike Baumann (3-1) was charged with all three runs after allowing a single and two walks in the bottom of the eighth. Those three runners scored on Chapman’s double.

ROSTER MOVES

Giants: IF Thairo Estrada was outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento and utility player Brett Wisely was recalled. … LHP Tyler Matzek was also placed on waivers. Melvin said that Estrada, who was hitting .217 in 96 games this season, struggled through injuries and “the performance wasn’t there.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Marlins: RHP Declan Cronin, who is day-to-day with left knee discomfort, is expected to be available on Saturday.

UP NEXT

RHP Edward Cabrera (2-6, 5.60 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for the Marlins in the second game of the series, with RHP Mason Black (0-1, 8.79 ERA) starting for the Giants.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

PLANTATION — Senior linebacker Ashton “Action” Jackson helped host Plantation blank Miramar 2-0 in a defensive struggle at PAL Field on Friday night.

The 6-foot, 2-inch converted defensive tackle had three of the Colonels’ six sacks and helped limit the Patriots to just 117 yards.

“(The key was) listening to the coach and following the game plan,” Jackson said. “We take big risks. Coach says, ‘Risk it for the biscuit.’ If we keep playing like this, we’ll make it a lot easier for the offense. If they (opponents) can’t score, they can’t win.”

Plantation (2-0) got the only points of the game with 3:46 left in the first quarter on a safety by freshman Chanaris Chance when he sacked Miramar quarterback Jayvin Smart for an 11-yard loss to put the Colonels on the board.

Run by Miramar running back Alex Jackson over the Plantation High School defense at PAL Field on Friday Aug. 30, 2024. (Keira Arimenta/Contributor)

Jackson admits he is playing with a chip on his shoulder. He recently received an offer from Pitt among his three offers, so he is starting to get noticed. This is his first year as a linebacker.

“I’ve been showing out since the summer,” Jackson said. “I feel like I am one of the more underrated players in Florida. I got a big chip. I moved from D-Tackle to linebacker. I’ve always been an edge rusher. I was 250 last year and I am 225 right now. I am moving a lot better now.”

Miramar (0-2) had a chance to take a 3-2 lead but Joseph Reddick’s 21-yard field goal attempt on the first play of the fourth quarter was wide right. The Patriots got great field position on Plantation’s 19 when a snap to punter Jake Warren sailed over his head, turning the ball over with a 20-yard loss.

Six consecutive carries by Miramar’s Darrell Godfrey III moved the ball to the Plantation 4, but the Patriots couldn’t punch it in.

Plantation’s defense picked up where it left off in a 27-21 win over Dillard. Unfortunately for the Patriots, they have yet to put points on the board in the 2024 season following a 27-0 loss to Miami Norland in their season opener.

“The defense had a helluva game,” Plantation coach Darrell Strong said. “They gave us everything they got. They came with the energy, and we couldn’t get anything going on offense. We had big plays on defense.”

“I did not think it was going to be like this,” he added. “I am a little upset with my offense. We are going to have to look at the film before I say anything about the offense, but from the eye test, they didn’t perform well. Right now, we are going to celebrate the win. We know it’s ugly.”

Both teams threatened to score late in the second quarter. The host Colonels had a fourth-and-2 from the Miramar 10-yard line, but quarterback Jayden Chico’s pass fell incomplete.

Miramar took possession and drove 72 yards to the Colonels’ 18-yard line in 10 plays, however Smart’s pass attempt for receiver Edrick Bush was intercepted by JaKari Johnson with 24.9 seconds remaining in the first half. Janaris Foster also had a key interception in the game.

Plantation was held to 53 yards in the first half and 112 for the game, while Miramar could only muster 79 yards of offense in the first two quarters and was shut out for the second straight contest.

Miramar had one final chance to win the contest when they got the ball on their own 25 with 2:15 left in the game. Plantation forced four incomplete passes, including a fourth-down breakup by Taurus Damon Jr., with 49.9 seconds to go on a pass intended for Nehemiah Pittman from Smart.

General Daily Insight for August 31, 2024

Enthusiasm could provoke backlash without warning. When the joyful Leo Moon interferes with pessimistic Saturn at 9:18 pm EDT, our moods may simply clash. One person’s happiness might be too much for someone else who’s not in the right space for it, and vice versa. Perhaps we need to drop the idea that we’re required to pick a side. Enjoyment of a particular activity or idea can coexist with valid questions about it. Allow room for criticism to be aired, and it’ll probably dissipate.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Developing your artistic side might be tempting today. On the other hand, as the genuine Moon in your 5th House of Self-Expression conflicts with repressive Saturn in your anxious 12th house, you may worry that others will judge you for your lack of talent if you try out an art form that’s new to you. You’re not required to share whatever you create with anyone else! Commit to experimenting for your eyes only at this point, then see how you feel after that.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

You may feel judged by your peers at this time. As the delicate Moon in your private 4th house hides from critical Saturn in your social sector, staying home instead of venturing out to engage with others could be a useful, albeit temporary, solution to the problem. While you’re by yourself, take a moment to think about the overall dynamic — are you going through a brief rough patch, or is it always like this? If it’s the latter, consider finding your people elsewhere.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Pushing ahead toward your goals is possible now. The less you say about your efforts, the better! While the impressionable Moon in your communication zone diverts focused Saturn in your ambitious 10th house, even a casual chat could introduce mental clutter that throws you off. New ideas aren’t intrinsically wrong, but you’re not in the right part of the process to hear them out. More likely, you’ve already picked your path. You just need to follow through on it without getting derailed.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Questioning a dogmatic viewpoint might be necessary now. While the tender Moon in your 2nd House of Values challenges rigid Saturn in your ideological 9th house, you could realize that enforcing a belief you’ve long taken for granted has begun pointing you toward results you’re not comfortable with. Although you may be used to thinking your adherence to this worldview is what makes you a worthy person, you have the option of finding self-worth outside of that. Consider giving it a try.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Expressing yourself could currently seem urgent. However, as the passionate Moon in your sign adapts to heavy Saturn in your 8th House of Intimacy, you may also be aware that there are some things you need to hold back. Perhaps the particular audience you have is just not equipped to hear out certain topics. Getting whatever validation you can from them might still be worth it to you. Either way, be clear about your goals going in.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

A close relationship of yours, whatever type it is, might feel stale at the moment. As the spontaneous Moon in your contemplative 12th house redirects steady Saturn in your partnership sector, you may realize that going off on your own for a while could refresh your perspective. Even though this should ultimately benefit both you and the other person, asking for the space you need can still be difficult. Look at it as the first step toward shaking up an unfulfilling status quo.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

An invite to a social event may feel like just one more thing somebody wants from you today. While the anxious Moon in your 11th House of Friendship misreads taskmaster Saturn in your responsible 6th house, you’re likely feeling overloaded and tending to view anything that comes your way through that lens. Could a good party cheer you up? Maybe, but you might also bring your resentment and frustration with you. You’re allowed to stay home if you need to get a handle on things.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Being noticed in a public way could unsettle you today. Perhaps there are portions of the experience that you find pleasurable, but the hard part is that you don’t have reasonable control over how it unfolds. While the visible Moon in your 10th House of Reputation rattles reticent Saturn in your expressive 5th house, you might want to err on the side of holding too much information back. Anything left out can usually be elaborated later, but you can’t unsay something you’ve already said!

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

You’ve potentially got a longing for an adventure as soon as possible. That being said, as the impulsive Moon in your travel sector disagrees with rooted Saturn in your domestic 4th house, maybe you’re actually pretty comfortable staying home. In that case, you might as well check out a book or movie you’ve always been curious about. Stimulation doesn’t always have to come from hitting the road, Sagittarius — sometimes it’s possible to see a whole new world without literally going anywhere!

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Finding the best way to nurture a close relationship could challenge you now. While the needy Moon in your intimacy zone nags reserved Saturn in your communication sector, you might crave emotional connection but feel unsure how to get it. Don’t force yourself to talk if you don’t have anything to say — compulsive chatter may introduce an unwanted anxious vibe. If you’re not sure what would improve upon silence, just see what emerges as you spend time in each other’s presence!

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

You might need to say no to a loved one regarding a financial matter today. Sometimes it’s difficult to be in this position, especially if the other person is very emotional about their request. Explaining your overall system for allocating money could allay some of their concerns, at least in terms of assuring them that your decision isn’t meant as a personal attack. If there are still hard feelings after that, be aware that perhaps the two of you have other issues to discuss.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

You’re potentially conflicted about your work ethic at present. Maybe you receive emotional satisfaction from totally throwing yourself into your responsibilities. Still, you might start to resent it if you get the impression that people are starting to look at you solely in terms of what you can do for them. They’re probably following your lead, at least to some extent. If you aren’t happy with the results you’re getting, start studying the signals you’re putting out. Make adjustments as needed.

By LARRY LAGE

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams had a 63-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter and Michigan State barely beat Florida Atlantic 16-10 Friday night.

The Spartans (1-0) were sloppy in coach Jonathan Smith’s debut.

Aidan Chiles threw an interception on the game’s opening snap, recovered his fumble to end the second drive and Montorie Foster Jr. lost the football on Michigan State’s third drive.

It didn’t go much smoother in the second half.

Chiles had a chance to put the Spartans ahead by more than two touchdowns late in the third quarter, but Ed Woods stepped in front of a pass in the flat at the Florida Atlantic 2 and returned it 58 yards.

“I’m happy with the win,” Chiles said. “I’m not happy with how I performed.”

Cam Fancher converted a fourth-and-1 with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jayshon Platt, cutting the Owls’ deficit to six points.

Smith went for it on fourth-and-1 from the Florida Atlantic 9 on the ensuing drive, instead of kicking a short field goal for a nine-point lead, and Lynch-Adams was stopped short on a run early in the fourth quarter.

“That was probably overly aggressive,” said Smith, adding in hindsight kicking for a two-score lead may have been the wise move.

Smith’s defense responded, forcing the Owls to turn it over on downs at the Michigan State 41 with 6:53 remaining.

Fancher later came up short on a fourth-and-1 run near midfield and nearly drew a targeting penalty that didn’t stand after review. The Spartans, though, were pushed back 30 yards by two penalties, including one for unnecessary roughness on Jordan Turner for hitting Fancher, after he was ruled down.

“How that wasn’t targeting, I’m a little confused,” said Florida Atlantic coach Tom Herman, who was 4-8 last season in his debut with the American Athletic Conference program.

Florida Atlantic’s defense gave Fancher another chance and he converted a fourth-and-8 with a 21-yard pass to Omari Hayes, but he could not move the sticks again and turned it over on downs with 1:23 left at the Owls’ 41.

Florida Atlantic (0-1) turnovers proved to be pivotal, hurting its chances of beating a team from a power conference for the second time in school history and first since a 2007 win over Minnesota.

Fancher, sacked for a safety in the first quarter, was picked off on consecutive possessions early in the second quarter.

Chiles’ 11-yard touchdown run and Lynch-Adams’ long run for a score gave the Spartans a 16-0 lead.

Chiles, who like Smith left Oregon State, was 10 of 24 passing with two interceptions. He ran six times for 28 yards and a score.

“We didn’t do what we’re supposed to do, and we didn’t do what we can do,” Chiles said.

Lynch-Adams, a graduate transfer from Massachusetts, finished with 101 yards and a score on nine carries.

THE TAKEAWAY

Florida Atlantic: Fancher, a transfer from Marshall, will have to learn a lot from a rough night. He was 12 of 25 passing for 116 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He ran 25 times for 67 yards.

UP NEXT

Florida Atlantic: Host Army on Sept. 7.

 

By MARIA VERZA

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Osiel Cárdenas Guillén, one of Mexico’s most-feared drug lords, has been released from a U.S. prison after serving most of a 25-year prison sentence, authorities confirmed Friday.

A U.S. Bureau of Prisons official said Cárdenas Guillén had been released from prison and was placed in the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. That would normally suggest he would be deported back to Mexico.

A Mexican official who was not authorized to be quoted by name said Cárdenas Guillén faces two arrest warrants in Mexico, making it likely he would be detained upon arrival.

The former head of the Gulf cartel was known for his brutality. He created the most bloodthirsty gang of hitmen Mexico has ever known, the Zetas, which routinely slaughtered migrants and innocent people.

Cárdenas Guillén was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2010 and ordered to forfeit tens of millions of dollars. It was not clear why he did not serve his full sentence, but he had been extradited to the U.S. in January 2007.

The 57-year-old native of the border city of Matamoros, Mexico, moved tons of cocaine and made millions of dollars through the Gulf cartel, based in the border cities of Reynosa and Matamoros.

He created the Zetas, a gang of former Mexican special forces soldiers who he recruited to become his private army and hit squad. They committed acts of terror that regularly involved slaughtering dozens of people, decapitating them or dumping heaps of hacked-up bodies on roadways.

The Zetas lived on long after Cárdenas Guillén was captured in 2003. By 2010, the Zetas had formed their own cartel, spreading terror-style attacks across Mexico as far south as Tabasco until their top leaders were killed or arrested in 2012-2013.

An offshoot of the Zetas, the Northeast cartel, continues to control the border city of Nuevo Laredo, across from Laredo, Texas.

But Cárdenas Guillén’s own gang, the Gulf cartel, has become hopelessly splintered after more than a decade of bloody infighting between factions with names like The Metros, The Cyclones, The Reds and The Scorpions.

Cárdenas Guillén’s own nickname was “El Mata Amigos,” or “The one who kills his friends.”

Cárdenas Guillén’s most brazen act was when he surrounded and stopped a vehicle carrying two U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents and one of their informants in 1999 in the border city of Matamoros, across from Brownsville, Texas.

His gunmen pointed their weapons at the agents and demanded they hand over the informant, who would almost certainly be tortured and killed. The agents toughed it out and refused, reminding him it would be a bad decision to kill employees of the DEA. Cárdenas Guillén eventually called off his gunmen, but not before reportedly saying “You gringos, this is my territory.”

__

Alanna Durkin Richer contributed from Washington, D.C.

___

Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

By MICHELLE L. PRICE

NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump on Friday said he will vote no on a Florida ballot measure that would repeal the state’s six-week abortion ban, a day after he seemed to indicate he would vote in favor of the measure.

Trump has said he thinks Florida’s ban is a mistake and said in an interview with Fox News Channel on Friday, “I think six weeks, you need more time.” But then he said, “at the same time, the Democrats are radical,” and he repeated false claims he has frequently made about late-term abortions and said that he opposed allowing abortions up until nine months.

“So I’ll be voting no for that reason,” said Trump, who is registered to vote at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.

The Florida ballot measure would legalize abortion until fetal viability, a term used by health care providers to describe whether a pregnancy is expected to continue developing normally or whether a fetus might survive outside the uterus. It’s generally considered to be around 23 or 24 weeks, which is about six months.

Trump drew backlash from abortion opponents who support him when he seemed to signal in another interview on Thursday that he would vote in favor of the ballot measure and repeal the six week ban when he said, “I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks.”

Amid the blowback his campaign quickly issued a statement saying that Trump had not actually said how he would vote but “simply reiterated that he believes six weeks is too short.”

Trump has held multiple conflicting positions on abortion over the years. After briefly considering backing a potential 15-week ban on the procedure nationwide, he announced in April that regulating abortion should be left to the states.

In the months since, he has repeatedly taken credit for his role in overturning Roe and called it “a beautiful thing to watch” as states set their own restrictions.

“Donald Trump just made his position on abortion very clear: He will vote to uphold an abortion ban so extreme it applies before many women even know they are pregnant,” Vice President Kamala Harris, his Democratic rival, said in a statement responding to Trump’s Friday comments.

Friday

Blanche Ely 35, Chaminade-Madonna 34 OT

Atlantic 53, Jonesboro (Georgia) 13

Tampa Jesuit 31, Benjamin 3

Pahokee 27, Inlet Grove 7

Dillard 44, Stranahan 0

Richmond Hill (Georgia) 45, Everglades 0

Mourning 21, Hollywood Hills 20

Archbishop McCarthy 42, Cypress Bay 6

Cardinal Gibbons 33, South Broward 7

American Heritage 51, Western 12

Plantation 2, Miramar 0

Calvary Christian 24, University School 12

Cardinal Newman 42, Carrollwood Day 21

Glades Central 20, Martin County 14

King’s Academy 28, Fort Pierce Westwood 21

Ramsey (New Jersey) 35, Palm Beach Christian Prep 28

St. Andrew’s 46, St. John Paul II Academy 0

Santaluces 20, Palm Beach Gardens 13

Spanish River 27, Seminole Ridge 23

Royal Palm Beach 59, John I. Leonard 19

Dr. Joaquin Garcia 56, Suncoast 0

Jupiter Christian 34, Oxbridge Academy 27

Camden County (Georgia) 52, West Broward 29

Avant Garde Academy 14, Westland Hialeah 7

Pine Crest 27, Pompano Beach 15

Westminster Academy 40, North Broward Prep 13

Somerset Academy Canyons 27, Somerset Academy 21

Specially Fit Academy 41, American Heritage-Delray 10

Thursday

West Boca Raton 28, Palm Beach Central 7

South Plantation 16, Coral Glades 0

Northeast 28, Taravella 13

Boynton Beach 52, Olympic Heights 6

Boca Raton 35, Dwyer 6

Wellington 31, Lake Worth 0

Jupiter 38, Park Vista 6

Boca Raton Christian 26, SmartEn Sports Academy 6

A South Florida man has been charged with seaman’s manslaughter and fraud-related charges stemming from operating an unauthorized scuba charter company, federal prosecutors said in a news release Friday.

Dustin Sean McCabe, 49, was charged by indictment Aug. 22, which was unsealed Thursday, federal court records show. He owned and operated Florida Scuba Charters, Inc. while a resident of Palm Beach County and St. Lucie County, according to the indictment.

McCabe bought a 1988, 48-foot Ocean Yachts Cruiser in March 2020 that he named “Southern Comfort,” which was only approved as a recreational boat by the U.S. Coast Guard, according to the indictment. After purchasing the boat, McCabe allegedly had the boat modified so he  “could use the vessel for paid scuba charters, with those modifications including removing the main deck engine controls so that the vessel could only be controlled from the bridge,” the indictment alleged.

Dustin McCabe’s 48-foot boat called “Southern Comfort” is shown in a photo including in the federal indictment. (Screenshot of federal court record)

He operated two commercial charter trips in late March 2020 on the boat. The indictment alleges that on March 29, 2020, McCabe’s negligence in operating the boat “caused the life of M.C.G.F. to be destroyed.” The indictment does not provide further information about the seaman’s manslaughter charge.

The woman is identified in court records in a separate federal wrongful death lawsuit as Mollie Catherine Ghiz-Flynn, of Melbourne. Ghiz-Flynn and her husband went on a dive trip aboard McCabe’s boat, where they stopped at an area known as Breaker’s Reef about a mile-and-a-half offshore southeast of the Palm Beach Inlet near Lake Worth Beach, according to the lawsuit complaint.

Ghiz-Flynn and her husband surfaced after their first dive and were attempting to get onto the back of the boat when McCabe reversed the gearshift of the boat, which sucked both Ghiz-Flynn and her husband underneath. Ghiz-Flynn was caught in the moving propeller, the lawsuit said.

Her husband watched as people tried to save his wife’s life. She was pronounced dead by the time the boat returned to the marina, the complaint said.

The Coast Guard suspended McCabe from operating the boat as a passenger boat in early April 2020 after the passenger’s death, according to the indictment. McCabe then allegedly then submitted fraudulent applications to receive money from the federal Paycheck Protection Program that launched during the pandemic.

After filing the fraudulent applications, McCabe received two separate loans that were both later forgiven, one for more than $18,000 and one for more than $20,000, the indictment alleged.

Federal prosecutors said in the news release that Coast Guard Investigative Service special agents arrested McCabe. He is facing charges one count of seaman’s manslaughter, one count of making false statements and three counts of wire fraud.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison for the manslaughter charge, up to five years for the making false statements charge and up to 20 years for the charges of wire fraud, prosecutors said.

McCabe’s first appearance is scheduled for Sept. 12 in West Palm Beach.

A Broward schools investigation proposes removing a vocal critic from three district advisory committees she chairs, alleging she bullied a district police officer.

The 11-page report states that Nathalie Lynch-Walsh repeatedly violated district policies related to “defamation, the use of disparaging language, and the creation of a hostile work environment” in her public comments about John Mastrianni, a detective with the district’s police department.

The investigation, prepared by district Communications Chief John Sullivan, focused on Lynch-Walsh’s comments related to Mastrianni’s October arrest of another district volunteer, Debbie Espinoza, in the middle of a heated School Board meeting. An outside consultant’s report determined the arrest shouldn’t have happened, and the State Attorney’s Office declined to pursue charges. Lynch-Walsh questioned in public meetings why Mastrianni was renewed for another year and was never the subject of a personnel investigation.

Lynch-Walsh chairs the district’s Audit Committee, District Advisory Council and Facilities Task Force and is known for her frequent criticism of the district’s management and operations. Her supporters have questioned whether the push to remove her is an effort to silence her criticism.

It will be up to Superintendent Howard Hepburn whether to accept the recommendations and remove her from the committees.

“The Superintendent is out of the office and will review the report upon his return,” district spokeswoman Cathleen Brennan told the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Friday.

School Board members received copies Friday. The Sun Sentinel reached out to all nine board members Friday. They either couldn’t be reached or declined to comment.

Lynch-Walsh wrote a response to Sullivan on Friday, blasting the report.

“The amount of false statements, omissions of fact, misrepresentations of fact, and misleading information are incredible,” she wrote.

Lynch-Walsh, who has filed several bullying complaints against district staff in the past, told Sullivan she was now filing a complaint against Hepburn.

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“Given the sheer amount of time it must have taken for you to put this together, while any time I lodge a complaint no one seems to know what to do, and because you are a direct report to the Superintendent, I am interpreting the retaliation as coming directly from Dr. Howard Hepburn — someone whose power is undeniably more than yours or mine,” Lynch-Walsh wrote.

Mastrianni couldn’t be reached for comment, but Rod Skirvin, who represents him through the Broward Police Benevolent Association union, said Lynch-Walsh’s comments about Mastrianni’s decision to arrest Espinoza were out of line.

“The State Attorney decided not to support the charges, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a lawful arrest,” Skirvin told the Sun Sentinel. “Calling for him to be dismissed is outrageous and uncalled for.”

Mastrianni filed the bullying complaint on July 24, referencing workshops from March 20 and June 25 where the School Board met with members of district advisory committees.

Debbie Espinoza, a former “Volunteer of the Year,” speaks to Police Detective John Mastrianni before she was escorted out of a Broward School Board meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 20023. The arrest followed a heated exchange between Espinoza and a conservative activist. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

In those meetings, Lynch-Walsh noted that the district hired the retired chief of the Sarasota School Police Department to review surveillance video of Espinoza’s arrest. That report concluded that Mastrianni appeared to get into Espinoza’s personal space, making it difficult for her avoid making contact with him. That finding was cited by the State Attorney’s Office as a reason for declining to pursue a charge of battery against a law enforcement officer.

Lynch-Walsh prepared a presentation that criticized district operations for the March 20 meeting, which the district uploaded onto its meeting agenda site.

One slide, called “Valuing Advisories and Other Volunteers,” showed a photo of Mastrianni handcuffing Espinoza. The slide questioned why there’d been no accountability for Mastrianni.

“District staff received the slides and uploaded them to the District website. Wouldn’t they be complicit?” Lynch-Walsh asked in her response to Sullivan.

During the June 25 meeting, Lynch-Walsh questioned why Mastrianni had been renewed for the 2024-25 year. Several board members were also alarmed by Espinoza’s arrest and asked Hepburn to conduct a personnel investigation of Mastrianni. Hepburn sent a memo a few weeks later saying the six-month window to investigate allegations of police officer misconduct had already elapsed.

Some @browardschools Board members asked @HowardHepburn in June if district would conduct a personnel investigation into SIU Det. John Mastrianni, who made controversial arrest of former volunteer of the year Debbie Espinoza. Supt said no, citing 180-day statute of limitations. pic.twitter.com/ZK8LrX8nDR

— Scott Travis (@smtravis) July 30, 2024

The report said that, during the meetings, Lynch-Walsh made “unfounded accusations” such as that Mastrianni committed perjury in the police report, and “she demonstrated a clear intent to damage the complainant’s reputation and job security.”

The district’s anti-bullying policy says that incidents must be purposeful and repeated, but there also must be an imbalance of power, with the accused having more power than the alleged victim.

“The investigation confirmed that the accused’s role as chair of multiple advisories did create a significant power imbalance, which was leveraged to target the complainant,” the report said. “This imbalance contributed to the hostile environment and negatively impacted the complainant’s ability to perform his duties effectively, as well as the overall effectiveness of the department.”

Anna Fusco, who as president of the Broward Teachers Union has also gotten into public battles with some district administrators and School Board members, said she didn’t understand how the district could argue there’s an imbalance of power.

“She doesn’t have any power. She’s a citizen,” Fusco said. “How is it that a guy that has a gun on his hip is being bullied? I’m floored.”

Carolyn Krohn, a member of the District Advisory Council, has also been a vocal critic of Mastrianni’s arrest of Espinoza. She said Lynch-Walsh was speaking on behalf of multiple advisory groups at the meetings. Krohn said her committee actually made a motion to take these concerns to the School Board, which Lynch-Walsh relayed.

“They’re just going after her because she’s a whistleblower,” Krohn said. “She’s someone who knows the history and knows when they’re trying to pull the wool over people’s eyes.”

The report states that concerns about Lynch-Walsh go beyond the incident involving Mastrianni, referring to a June 18 meeting where Lynch-Walsh said, “I have reached a point where I am willing to file complaints on educator licenses.”

“These threatening comments have also created a hostile work environment for many [Broward schools] employees,” the report said.

In her response to Sullivan, Lynch-Walsh said those comments related to her requests for public records for spending by a previous superintendent. She said the district refused to turn over those records “until I mentioned their educator licenses. The records then magically appeared.”

Lynch-Walsh, the mother of two, has been active on district committees for about 12 years. She was one of the harshest critics of the district’s poor execution of an $800 million bond referendum to fix decaying schools. She was vocal in calling for the terminations of former superintendents Robert Runcie and Vickie Cartwright, and she supported Gov. Ron DeSantis’ removal of four School Board members in 2022. She ran unsuccessfully for School Board in 2016 and 2022.

Her leadership on so many district committees has irked her critics on the School Board and in district administration. She was appointed to the Audit Committee by the District Advisory Council. She was appointed to the District Advisory Council and the Facilities Task Force through another committee she’s a member of, the Central Area Advisory Council.

If Hepburn were to remove her from those committees, it’s unclear what would happen next. A district policy allows the superintendent to remove committee members who violate district policies but doesn’t say they can’t be reappointed. School Board members are also authorized to make appointments to the board.

Today is Friday, Aug. 30, the 243rd day of 2024. There are 123 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Aug. 30, 2005, a day after Hurricane Katrina hit, floods covered 80 percent of New Orleans, looting continued to spread and rescuers in helicopters and boats picked up hundreds of stranded people.

Also on this date:

In 1916, on his fourth attempt, explorer Ernest Shackelton successfully returned to Elephant Island in Antarctica to rescue 22 of his stranded crew members, who had survived on the barren island for four and a half months after the sinking of their ship, the Endurance.

In 1941, during World War II, German forces approaching Leningrad cut off the remaining rail line out of the city.

In 1945, U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur arrived in Japan to set up Allied occupation headquarters.

In 1963, the “Hot Line” communications link between Washington and Moscow went into operation.

In 1967, the Senate confirmed the appointment of Thurgood Marshall as the first Black justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 2021, the United States completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan, ending America’s longest war with the Taliban back in power, as Air Force transport planes carried a remaining contingent of troops from Kabul airport. After watching the last U.S. planes disappear into the sky over Afghanistan, Taliban fighters fired their guns into the air, celebrating victory after a 20-year insurgency.

In 2022, Mikhail Gorbachev, who was the last leader of the Soviet Union, and waged a losing battle to salvage a crumbling empire but produced extraordinary reforms that led to the end of the Cold War, died at age 91.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Investor and philanthropist Warren Buffet is 94.
• Actor Elizabeth Ashley is 85.
• Actor John Kani is 82.
• Cartoonist Robert Crumb is 81.
• Olympic gold medal skier Jean-Claude Killy (zhahn-KLOHD’ kee-LEE’) is 81.
• Comedian Lewis Black is 76.
• Basketball Hall of Famer Robert Parish is 71.
• U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, R-N.C., is 64.
• Actor Michael Chiklis is 61.
• Actor Cameron Diaz is 52.
• TV personality/journalist Lisa Ling is 51.
• Former MLB pitcher Adam Wainwright is 43.
• Former professional tennis player Andy Roddick is 42.
• Singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha is 35.

• UCF Knights quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) rolls out to throw the ball during the NCAA football game against New Hampshire Wildcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights head coach Gus Malzahn stands with his team at the beginning of their first NCAA football game of the year at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights running back RJ Harvey (7) sprints up field on a long run during the second half of the NCAA football game against New Hampshire Wildcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights defensive back Braeden Marshall (4) blocks a pass against New Hampshire Wildcats wide receiver Joey Corcoran (15) during the NCAA football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) is about to be sacked during the NCAA football game against New Hampshire Wildcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights defensive back Ladarius Tennison (13) blocks a punt for a safety against New Hampshire Wildcats place kicker Sean Lehane (30) during the NCAA football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights running back RJ Harvey (7) dives for the goal line during the NCAA football game against New Hampshire Wildcats defensive back Wande Owens (5) at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the NCAA football game against New Hampshire Wildcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the NCAA football game against New Hampshire Wildcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights head coach Gus Malzahn runs out with his team at the beginning of their first NCAA football game of the year at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) throws a touchdown pass during the second half of the NCAA football game against New Hampshire Wildcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights linebacker Deshawn Pace (3) lifts up UCF Knights defensive back Antione Jackson (7) to celebrate his interception during the second half of the NCAA football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights head coach Gus Malzahn walks onto the field during the NCAA football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights cheerleaders entertain the crowd during the second half of the NCAA football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• New Hampshire Wildcats cornerback Sam Rumelhart (45) grabs the fumble by UCF Knights quarterback Jacurri Brown (11) during the second half of the NCAA football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights quarterback Jacurri Brown (11) fumbles the ball after a long run during the second half of the NCAA football game against New Hampshire Wildcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights quarterback Jacurri Brown (11) runs the ball during the second half of the NCAA football game against New Hampshire Wildcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights defensive back Antione Jackson (7) intercepts the ball on New Hampshire Wildcats wide receiver Logan Perez (84) during the second half of the NCAA football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights head coach Gus Malzahn coaches his players during the NCAA football game against New Hampshire Wildcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) drops back to throw a pass during the second half of the NCAA football game against New Hampshire Wildcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) is sacked by New Hampshire Wildcats cornerback Noah Stansbury (11) during the NCAA football game against New Hampshire Wildcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) takes the ball from center during the second half of the NCAA football game against New Hampshire Wildcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights wide receiver Xavier Townsend (3) breaks a tackle on New Hampshire Wildcats safety Zedane Williams (10) during the second half of the NCAA football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights defensive back Braeden Marshall (4) celebrates a hard hit during the NCAA football game against New Hampshire Wildcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights running back RJ Harvey (7) sprints up field on a long run during the second half of the NCAA football game against New Hampshire Wildcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights quarterback Jacurri Brown (11) runs the ball up field during the second half of the NCAA football game against New Hampshire Wildcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights quarterback Jacurri Brown (11) throws the ball during the second half of the NCAA football game against New Hampshire Wildcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights head coach Gus Malzahn coaches his players during the second half of the NCAA football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights running back Myles Montgomery (22) runs the ball up field during the NCAA football game against New Hampshire Wildcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights running back Johnny Richardson (0) runs the ball during the second half of the NCAA football game against New Hampshire Wildcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• New Hampshire Wildcats head coach Ricky Santos coaches his players during the NCAA football game against UCF Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights running back Myles Montgomery (22) runs the ball up field during the NCAA football game against New Hampshire Wildcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

• UCF Knights quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) throws a souvenir to UCF fans calling his name after the NCAA football game against New Hampshire Wildcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

Show Caption1 of 33

UCF Knights quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) rolls out to throw the ball during the NCAA football game against New Hampshire Wildcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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General Daily Insight for August 30, 2024

Passion might become uncomfortable at present. As the intuitive Cancer Moon harmonizes with innovative Uranus and creative Neptune, we’re likely to enjoy fantasizing freely. In this mellow state, worthwhile thoughts will have room to rise to the surface. Once the Moon switches into dramatic Leo at 1:09 pm EDT, however, our egos could enter the equation. Luna then opposes domineering Pluto, enhancing the danger of power struggles. We should avoid taking today’s disputes at face value — grievances aren’t necessarily what they seem.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Fleshing out a bold fantasy may require plenty of time alone. That doesn’t mean you won’t need more at some point! Once the candid Moon powers into your expressive 5th house and opposes perceptive Pluto in your networking zone, you might benefit from taking the risk of telling others what you’ve been thinking about. Although reality checks are essential, this process of testing isn’t always fun. Identify which critiques resonate with you, and don’t get manipulated into going along with those that don’t.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

You may currently enjoy talking about a big idea of yours with your friends and letting them gas you up. No matter how awesome their encouragement feels, remember that you’ll eventually have to put in the work to manifest your dream — no one else can do that for you. This shift in the vibe isn’t insurmountable, but it is potentially a significant difference, so don’t be surprised by any such changes. Relying on your inner strength should ultimately make you proud of yourself!

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Developing a clear vision of a goal is key to current success. Your next step, after the connection-craving Moon shifts into your communication sector, is to figure out an elevator speech — how would you quickly explain your plan to a stranger? Think this through deeply enough to identify any assumptions you hold that aren’t universally shared. It’s not wrong to have whatever background you have, but don’t let it become an obstacle that blocks you from cross-pollinating with others from different perspectives.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

You may be very focused on getting your recent needs met. Reaching out to your community for support could be a wise move. That being said, you should still keep your field of vision wide enough to see the full story surrounding any potential benefactors. When the vulnerable Moon in your finance zone provokes controlling Pluto in your 8th House of Big Money, someone might make you an offer that has unpleasant strings attached. Avoid letting your desperation tie you down.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Being alone could feel like the only way to maintain your freedom today. A big idea may seem totally clear to you when you’re thinking about it on your own. As soon as you share it with someone who’s supposed to be on your side, though, they might just poke holes in it. Look closely at their potential motives before you defer to their perspective. Legitimate criticism isn’t impossible, but neither is someone trying to keep you down to soothe their insecurities.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Keeping an eye on your social battery may be necessary today. It’ll probably be easy to go along with lots of opportunities to do interesting things. Don’t forget about any everyday responsibilities — you only have so much energy, after all. The nourishing Moon is moving into your quiet 12th house, so you must acknowledge your normal human need for rest. Some invitations could be worth shifting your schedule for, but it’s not possible to evade the constraints of reality entirely!

Libra

September 23 – October 22

You can absolutely get in touch with your goals at this moment. Once the passionate Moon in your 11th House of Networking engages with intense Pluto in your self-expression zone, you might seize the opportunity to push your personal agenda on a community or organization you belong to. It’s probably not a problem to be the spokesperson for views that the people around you genuinely hold, but expounding too passionately on something that doesn’t quite fit can backfire dramatically. Know the difference.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Your search for a path forward could need to be reined in over the course of your day. As the fluctuating Moon shifts from your expansive 9th house to your focused 10th house, you might have to table a few of the interesting possibilities you’ve come across lately. You can probably return to them later, but devoting your attention to something that’s a relatively sure bet is more likely to pay off for now. There’s no shame in acknowledging that your resources are finite!

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Putting a mystery into words could challenge you today. You might enjoy exploring a subject that’s off the beaten path. Still, once the curious Moon passes from your intense 8th house into your philosophical 9th house, the desire to definitively explain how part of the world works will probably be difficult to shed. If you genuinely don’t know something, trying to bluster your way out of uncomfortable conversations may dig you in deeper. Don’t hesitate to take a breath and simply listen for a time.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Helping a loved one who seems to need it might presently make sense to you. Still, as the nurturing Moon barrels toward your 8th House of Entanglement, you should, at minimum, contemplate your potential next steps. Setting a precedent that leaves this person dependent on you indefinitely isn’t just bad for you — it’s also bad for them, as you could develop a resentful attitude that’s likely to leak out in your interactions with them. Do what’s best for your long-term relationship.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Figuring out what a loved one really needs from you might challenge you at the moment. You may believe that you’re doing your part by taking care of them in practical ways. However, when the emotional Moon pops into your relationship sector, you could be surprised to hear their genuine view of things. They’re potentially more capable of fending for themselves than you think! If you feel like giving them respect costs you something, you’d better spend some time looking within.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Throwing yourself into a whirlwind of activity may seem like a useful distraction from unpleasant thoughts. With the anxious Moon in your productive 6th house opposing sulky Pluto in your 12th House of the Subconscious, you can potentially get a fair amount done while you tamp down the tough stuff. Even so, the compulsive vibe you can’t help broadcasting has a chance of provoking tension with those around you. If you can’t get away from your internal conflict, you might as well hear it out!

It’s all we’ve heard ever since that day eight months ago when KJ Jefferson announced he was leaving Arkansas and transferring to UCF.

Immediately, the comparisons started and college football fans and analysts began to ask the question: Can Gus Malzahn work his magic again?

Can he turn KJ Jefferson into the next Cam Newton?

This is an unbelievably unfair question and comparison considering Newton put together one of the greatest seasons a college QB has ever had during his one season at Auburn when Malzahn was the offensive coordinator. Newton, arguably the greatest dual-threat quarterback in college football history, led Auburn to an undefeated national championship season and won the Heisman Trophy while throwing for 2,589 yards and 28 touchdowns with just 6 interceptions and rushing for 1,409 yards and 20 scores.

From what we saw in UCF’s 57-3 season-opening blowout of outmanned FCS opponent New Hampshire, Jefferson is definitely not going to be the next Cam Newton. In fact, right now, he’s not even the next John Rhys Plumlee.

Of course, this was just one game — his first game in a new offense with new teammates and a new coach — but ideally you would want Jefferson to look sharper against an opponent who was a 40-point underdog.

Knights quarterback KJ Jefferson is sacked by New Hampshire cornerback Noah Stansbury on Thursday at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Jefferson only tallied seven completions. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

“There’s going to be growing pains. That’s to be expected,” Malzahn said of his new quarterback. “He’s going to get more comfortable with our offense and become more efficient.  … After that first quarter, I thought he settled in and starting getting more control of our offense.”

Jefferson was shaky, very shaky, early in the game. On UCF’s first series, he was 0-for-3, badly overthrowing his first downfield pass and nearly having it picked off, overthrowing a potential TD pass in the end zone and then scrambling to elude pressure and throwing the ball into the dirt. UCF’s second drive stalled when the ball slipped out of Jefferson’s hand before he threw it, but luckily he recovered his own fumble.

Jefferson’s first completion didn’t come until 2:24 remained in the first quarter, and his second completion didn’t come until 3:08 in the second quarter. He also threw an inexplicable interception at the outset of the second half when he rolled right to deliver a short pass in the flat and tossed it directly into the hands of a New Hampshire defender.

Not that it was all bad. He threw a beautiful 46-yard bomb to Kobe Hudson to set up a UCF touchdown at the end of the first half. In the third quarter, he rolled right and threw the ball back across the field for a 49-yard catch-and-run TD to running back Myles Montgomery.

As UCF wore down their inferior opponent and began to pile up the points, Jefferson settled down and began to gain confidence. He played three quarters and finished  7-for-14 for 164 yards and 2 TDs. He also ran 11 times for 39 yards and a touchdown.

“In the first game, you have to knock some rust off,” Jefferson said. “I just had to keep telling myself to stay patient, don’t try to rush it and let the game come to you. There were time out there when I was just trying to overdo it.”

Despite the lopsided final score, Jefferson knows he will need to be much better moving forward and start looking like he did in his first two seasons at Arkansas, when he established himself as one of the country’s most athletic quarterbacks. He left Arkansas with more completions, passing yards and touchdown passes than any QB in Razorbacks history.

Who will ever forget what he did at Florida last year when he threw for 255 yards and 2 touchdowns and ran for 92 yards and a score to lead the struggling Hogs to a 39-36 overtime win — their first victory ever in Gainesville. There was one play in overtime when Jefferson steamrolled several UF defenders and ran for 20 yards to set up the winning score.

With his combination of size, speed, athleticism and arm strength, Jefferson did look like Newton that day in Gainesville. He was running over linebackers, outrunning safeties and launching passes downfield with a flick of his wrist. But there weren’t nearly enough of those kinds of performances last season. Jefferson was too erratic and inconsistent and Arkansas finished at the bottom of the SEC with a 1-7 record, 4-8 overall. And, so, Jefferson entered the transfer portal and chose UCF, partly because of what Malzahn did with Newton — a player Jefferson grew up idolizing.

Comparing fifth-year QB KJ Jefferson to Auburn’s Cam Newton, picking up his 2010 Heisman after putting together what might’ve been the most dominant single season in history at his position, is not just a stretch but unfair. (AP file)

Naturally, the comparisons between the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Jefferson and 6-foot-5, 248-pound Newton began immediately. And while the analogies may be flattering, they come with an immense amount of pressure. Being likened to one of the greatest college quarterbacks of all-time is an almost unreachable parallel.

Then again, Jefferson doesn’t have to be Cam Newton for UCF to be successful. He just needs to be a good enough passer to keep defenses honest. There’s little question that with a deep stable of running backs led by RJ Harvey, the Knights are going to be a run-first team, evidenced by their 454 rushing yards and 8.4 yards per carry against New Hampshire.

While Jefferson will be a huge part of that running game, it’s no secret that Malzahn’s offense thrives on a dual-threat quarterback who can keep defenses guessing. For UCF to deploy an effective read-option attack that forces defenses to pick their poison, Jefferson has to be an accurate passer and a solid decision maker.

After one game in a UCF uniform, there is much improvement to be made.

So let’s stop with the Cam Newton comparisons and just allow KJ Jefferson to become the best version of KJ Jefferson.

Email me at mbianchi@orlandosentinel.com. Hit me up on X (formerly Twitter) @BianchiWrites and listen to my Open Mike radio show every weekday from 6 to 9:30 a.m. on FM 96.9, AM 740 and 969TheGame.com/listen

 

WELLINGTON — West Boca delivered another strong performance to remain unbeaten through the first two weeks of the season. Sophomore running back Jayden Lockhart rushed for two touchdowns in the first half as the Bulls rolled past host Palm Beach Central 28-7 on Thursday night.

West Boca (2-0) led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter and had a 21-0 advantage at halftime.

“We preached all week to the offense about coming out and running the football and let’s get 14 early,” West Boca coach Dylan Potts said. “We thought we could really dominate the game if we did that. We came out here and got the win against a really good Palm Beach Central team.”

The West Boca defense created three turnovers in the victory and has allowed just 20 points through the first two games.

“Our defense is playing lights out,” Potts said. “We are very deep on the defensive line. Our secondary has been playing lights out
as well and our linebackers have really stepped up. Overall, it’s a very talented defense.”

West Boca junior standout running back Javian Mallory had two carries for 21 yards during the opening drive. He was held out as a precaution with a quad injury for the remainder of the contest.

West Boca had a seven play, 68-yard scoring drive to begin the contest. Lockhart bounced out to the right and went untouched into the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown run with 7:53 left in the first quarter.

West Boca started its next series at the Palm Beach Central 30-yard line after the Bulls forced a punt. Sophomore quarterback Trey Moran rolled out to his left for an 8-yard touchdown run to increase the lead to 14-0 with 5:19 left in the first.

Palm Beach Central (1-1) marched downfield on their next possession before senior Damon Allen recorded an interception at the Bulls 17-yard line. On the ensuing possession, junior quarterback Mason Mallory had a 77-yard touchdown pass to junior Mark Hanniford called back due to an ineligible man downfield penalty.

West Boca junior Xavier Reid forced a fumble in the second quarter as the Bulls started on offense at the Broncos 40-yard line.

West Boca lined up for a 40-yard field goal attempt on their next series. Hanniford took a high snap as the holder and was tackled in the backfield on the play.

West Boca pulled away late in the second quarter. On fourth-and-goal, Lockhart rushed up the middle for a 1-yard score to extend the lead to 21-0 with 39 seconds left in the first half.

Mason Mallory threw a 10-yard scoring pass to sophomore wide receiver Jayden Elder to increase the lead to 28-0 with 3:52 left in the third quarter.

“We came into this game thinking it was going to be a dogfight,” Mason Mallory said. “The offensive line and our receivers played well. Our running back room played amazing. Our defense always holds it down. We looked great and I am really proud of this team.”

Palm Beach Central senior running back Frankie Vomero raced up the middle of the field deep into Bulls territory late in the third quarter. Junior quarterback Chance Routson tossed a 9-yard scoring pass to Nedrick Boldin on the final play of the third.

The game was stopped for a 30-minute weather delay with 8:06 left in the fourth quarter.

Senior Aaron Ford recorded an interception for the Bulls late in the fourth.

West Boca sophomore Jacorrion McCrary, sophomore Anderson Gracilien and Lockhart all rotated in the backfield.

Mason Mallory and Moran both played at quarterback on different possessions throughout the game.

“They both are really good players and I have all the faith they both can win us any ball game we are in,” Potts said. “We hang our hat on playing a lot of players and developing kids.”

West Boca (2-0) had rallied for a 14-13 victory against Benjamin in their season opener.

UCF coach Gus Malzahn said Thursday’s season-opener against New Hampshire would say more about the Knights than their opponent.

While the box score says UCF came away with a 57-3 win over the Wildcats, its ninth straight win in season openers, the intangibles say more about this team.

UCF (1-0, 0-0 Big 12) improved to 35-10 all-time in season openers, with the Knights winning nine consecutive since 2016.

“The thing that stood out to me is only three penalties,” said Malzahn. “We had a face mask, a late hit late in the game with one of our backups and a delay a game. We’ve been really focused on not beating ourselves.”

Tailback RJ Harvey picked up where he left off last season, rushing for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns. It was his third straight 100-yard rushing performance for the fifth-year senior, dating to last season. The Knights finished with 454 rushing yards and an 8.4 per carry average.

“They’re real running backs and all a little bit different,” said Malzahn. “RJ is elite and I think everybody knows that.”

New Hampshire (0-1, 0-0 CAA) finished with 162 yards of offense, including 67 rushing.

Colton Boomer connected on a pair of early field goals (25, 44) to give UCF a 6-0 advantage.

Inside UCF’s 2024 schedule

Linebacker Deshawn Pace, a transfer from Cincinnati, picked off Seth Morgan’s pass intended for receiver Joey Corcoran at the start of the second quarter. Pace, who welcomed a daughter a few weeks ago, returned the ball 37 yards to NHU’s 3-yard line.

“Having my daughter in the stands is a blessing, and it just made me motivated and made me go harder,” said Pace. “The pick just came to me. [The quarterback] stared me down the whole time and I made the right decision.”

Quarterback KJ Jefferson barreled into the end zone for the season’s first touchdown, pushing the lead to 13-0.

After forcing a three-and-out on New Hampshire’s next possession, safety Ladarius Tennison burst through the line and blocked Sean Lehane’s punt attempt from the Wildcats’ 18. The ball rolled into the end zone for a safety.

It was the first blocked punt by the Knights since Sept. 24, 2022, against Georgia Tech and the first safety since Oct. 29, 2022, against Cincinnati.

Jefferson missed his first four passes before connecting with Harvey on an 8-yard screen pass with 2:24 left in the first quarter. His second completion, a 15-yard pass to Kobe Hudson, didn’t occur until 3:08 in the second quarter.

“After that first quarter, he settled in and started playing [better],” Malzahn said.

“There were times when I was trying to overdo it and do too much instead of letting the game come to me and then just play my [style] of ball,” added Jefferson.

The fifth-year quarterback threw his first touchdown as a Knight midway in the third quarter when he found running back Myles Montgomery, who raced 49 yards for a score. He added a 22-yard touchdown pass to Johnny Richardson.

Jefferson finished 7 of 14 for 164 yards with 2 touchdowns and an interception. He also rushed 11 times for 39 yards and a score.

UCF finished with 639 yards of total offense. It was the first time the Knights accounted for more than 600 yards in a game since totaling 723 yards against Kent State in last season’s opener.

Matt Murschel can be reached at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com