ORLANDO, Fla. _ Perhaps it was best a limited number of fans were allowed in the Bounce House Saturday.
Those in attendance witnessed one of the most bizarre games in recent UCF history as the Knights (2-1, 1-1 AAC) saw their 21-game home win streak come to an end against Tulsa (1-1, 1-0 AAC). The Golden Hurricane forced three turnovers during a 34-26 win that spanned more than four hours due to extensive penalty and injury delays. It was the Golden Hurricane's fourth consecutive win in the series.
It's been 46 months since UCF last suffered a home loss and ironically it was against Tulsa on Nov. 19, 2016.
It was deja vu for UCF, which lost an 11-point halftime lead to Tulsa just as it did last season. The Knights managed three points in the second half, the same amount they scored in 2019 against the Golden Hurricane.
The game featured six turnovers, two safeties and a rushing touchdown by a 312-pound offensive lineman, but Tulsa ultimately took control and used a second-half surge to overcome an 18-point deficit.
It was an off night for UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who completed 55% of his passes for 330 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He started off hot, finding Jacob Harris for a 12-yard touchdown for the first score of the game.
But Gabriel went 1 of 8 during a stretch that included his second interception of the season on a ball batted up at the line of scrimmage and picked off by Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins. Gabriel threw two interceptions against the Golden Hurricane during last season's 34-31 loss.
It was the defense, at least early on, that kept UCF in control against Tulsa.
The Knights forced three consecutive turnovers, including fumbles forced by defensive linemen Chris DeLoach and Tre'Mon Morris-Brash and an interception hauled in by safety Richie Grant.
While the defense forced miscues, UCF's offense struggled with turnovers, particularly on special teams.
Otis Anderson fumbled away the ball on a punt return in the first half, while freshman Johnny Richardson fumbled the football back to Tulsa during the opening kickoff of the second half.
UCF linebacker Eriq Gilyard sacked Tulsa quarterback Zach Smith in the end zone for a safety. Two drives later, though, the Golden Hurricane defense tackled Anderson in the end zone for a matching safety.
The Knights turned to 6-foot-4, 315-pound offensive lineman Cole Schneider to provide them with a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to push the lead to 23-5 with 1:39 left.
But Tulsa grabbed hold of momentum and refused to give it back.
Penalties were once again a point of concern for UCF.
A week after giving up 19 penalties in a win over East Carolina, the Knights were flagged 18 times Saturday night, including 10 false start penalties.
Anderson finished with 17 carries for 84 yards highlighted by a 49-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter.
Jaylon Robinson finished with three catches for 111 yards. It was his third straight 100-yard receiving game for the Knights.
UCF has a bye week before traveling to Memphis to take on the Tigers on Oct. 17.
