Potentially missing Kobe Hudson, Ryan O'Keefe, UCF's WR depth could be tested against FAU

ORLANDO — UCF's wide receiver depth could be put to the test in Saturday's tricky trip to Florida Atlantic.

Kobe Hudson missed last week's game against Louisville, a late scratch due to a personal matter, Knights head coach Gus Malzahn said. Ryan O'Keefe — the team's leading receiver in 2021 — exited just before halftime with an apparent hamstring injury.

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Malzahn shed little clarity on Hudson's status during Monday's press conference, but expressed some optimism that O'Keefe has a shot for a speedy recovery.

"We're hoping we have him," Malzahn said. "We'll see as the week goes on exactly what that looks like.

"Everybody knows he's a dynamic playmaker, and when you don't have him that's a challenge. We'll see as the week goes on, but we're hopeful."

Their absences, coupled with blitz-happy Louisville often overwhelming UCF's offensive line, played a large part in the second-half shutout. The Knights (1-1) failed to score on any of their final 10 possessions in a 20-14 defeat — just the third loss in the team's prior 34 home games.

After a solid opening outing against South Carolina State, John Rhys Plumlee drew ample amounts of criticism for his performance. The senior completed just seven of his 26 attempts thrown beyond the line of scrimmage, and two of 11 throws overall in the fourth quarter.

"He's a team guy, so he was talking about needing to be better (for us)," redshirt senior tight end Alec Holler said. "But also, around him, we need to do a better job of helping him."

Plumlee's relative inexperience at quarterback — last playing the position full-time in 2019, spending the previous two campaigns as a wide receiver for Ole Miss — was evident. So, too, was the greenness of his receiving corps.

Alabama transfer Javon Baker has quickly emerged as Plumlee's primary target. The junior posted identical stat lines of five receptions and 84 yards in his first two games, snaring a touchdown against S.C. State.

Prior to entering the portal, Baker logged nine catches for 116 yards in his collegiate career.

With Hudson "unavailable" and O'Keefe sidelined, the Knights rolled with redshirt junior Jaylon Griffin, redshirt sophomore Stephen Martin and true freshman Xavier Townsend at the other receiver spots. Those three players have combined for eight receptions.

Amari Johnson, a spring game star for the Knights, is yet to suit up due to ligament damage in his right ankle. In an Instagram post, the senior said he expects to return this season.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Griffin — a player described by offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey as the team's "swing guy," learning in multiple spots — was targeted on 4th-and-goal from the Louisville 5 with just over three minutes to go in regulation. Jarvis Brownlee wrestled the ball away and was credited with an interception at the back of the end zone.

Townsend was the intended receiver on Plumlee's final throw — another 4th-and-5 try from the Cardinals' 37 in the final 90 seconds that fell incomplete.

"Griffin is a guy that I feel like is fixing to take that next step," Malzahn said. "And Xavier, that was really his first real rodeo playing college football. He's got a chance to be really, really special. Just the experience of getting those guys out there and getting better each week, I think those two guys have a chance to really help (us)."

Saturday could be a great chance for UCF's offense to find its groove again, potentially in the passing game as well.

Florida Atlantic (2-1, 1-0 Conference USA) ranks 91st in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision in passing yards allowed (254.7 per game). Two weeks ago, Ohio's Kurtis Rourke torched the Owls for 345 yards and four touchdowns, completing 27 of 34 attempts in a 41-38 win.

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UCF is 3-0 all-time against FAU, including a 48-14 win in Boca Raton during the 2019 season.

"We've got a lot of season left," Malzahn said after the Louisville loss. "I still think we've got a good football team. I know we do. They're going to have to learn from this and put it behind us. I'm very confident we'll finish strong."

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF knights football: Wide receiver depth tested against FAU with Kobe Hudson, Ryan O'Keefe potentially out