ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — RJ Harvey rushed for 184 yards and three touchdowns and new starter Dylan Rizk threw for 209 yards and a touchdown to help UCF snap a five-game losing streak, defeating Arizona 56-12 on Saturday. UCF (4-5, 2-4 Big 12) looked refreshed and energetic for their annual Space Game after the team fired defensive coordinator Ted Roof and switched offensive play calling duties from head coach Gus Malzahn to offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr.
earlier in the week. The Knights tallied 602 yards of offense, their most since the first game of the season against FCS opponent New Hampshire. The switch to Rizk paid dividends as the team got the ball out quicker and moved the ball down the field.
That was most evident at the end of the first half when Rizk completed a 48-yard Hail Mary pass to tight end Randy Pittman Jr. It was the senior's first touchdown reception of the season and just his 17th reception of the season. Pittman added another touchdown late in the game for five catches for 80 yards, all season highs.
After UCF struggled to spread the ball around throughout the season, Rizk completed passes to seven different receivers. That included a 40-yard touchdown throw to Jacoby Jones, who had five catches for 106 yards, his second straight game with at least 100 yards receiving. He had only two catches for 29 yards before his breakthrough last week.
The Knights still relied heavily on their ground game, rushing for 308 yards. Harvey accounted for 184 yards on .