"Billy in one of his nice new sashes," or: UCF 34, Penn State 31

"Billy in one of his nice new sashes,
Fell in the fire and was burnt to ashes;
Now, although the room grows chilly,
I haven't the heart to poke poor Billy."

- Harry Graham (as "Col. D. Steamer"), Ruthless Rhymes for Heartless Homes. New York: R.H. Russell 1901.

 It is great to be a Knight. We just earned our best regular season win of all time, and in a very hostile environment. And its the best win for the fledgling American Athletic Conference yet. What else compares? Louisville's 27-13 win against a poor Kentucky team? Cincy's 42-7 win over Purdue? (I, mean, Purdue?). Not a great body of work here, but this win stands out. Penn State's got a pulse.

I can't dump on Penn State (or otherwise cheapen this win, "scholarship reductions blah blah blah") -- they're a very fine team. This was the Nittany Lion's best offensive performance of the year. Their freshman quarterback never turned the ball over, and despite the fumble, that Zwinick dude is a beast. We outplayed them, and outcoached them. Thank Taafe, I guess. We are finally seeing a distinctly-un-O'Leary-like variety of plays and formations. And in a big game, where we have normally seen O'Leary 'coach not to lose,' no less!

Much credit to the offensive line, with its starting left tackle out, and which had to step it up (and did) against a defensive front that was (supposed to be) scary.

Unfortunately, we are used to seeing this sort of game slip away from us (Remember beating then-#5 Texas until that damn rain delay?). And to be sure, the Knights have much to improve, especially the poor tackling. But this may well be the best Knight's team of all time, and that was a great win against a very good opponent. 

Very happy that the team has a bye week before South Carolina. They're the best team we'll play this year (yes, better than Louisville), and we've shown we can compete.

Go Knights!