Game recap: UCF Knights overcome insane comeback from USF Bulls to win, 45-39

Tonight's War on I-4, the annual showdown between UCF and South Florida, will also be the last one for the time being as UCF heads into the Big XII for the 2023 season.

That means somehow the rivalry – though it hasn't been around for as many decades as some other in-state rivalries or border wars – may step up in even more intensity.

Part of the reason is that the Knights (8-3 overall, 5-2 American Athletic Conference) will reach the conference championship with a win, paired with a Houston loss to Tulsa. And part of it is that the Bulls (1-10, 0-7) are basically playing their bowl game right now, and the reward is ruining UCF's hopes at a last AAC title before leaving.

THE WAR ON I-4:5 memorable moments in UCF Knights, South Florida Bulls football rivalry

KNOW YOUR FOE:South Florida looks to play spoiler against UCF in final War on I-4

UCF's leading rusher and passer is the same person, quarterback John Rhys Plumlee, who is responsible for 2,837 yards of total offense and 21 total touchdowns. Plumlee will be banking on not only his legs in the rushing attack but those of Isaiah Bowser and RJ Harvey, who have combined for 1,297 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns.

Though USF has won just one game this season – 42-20 over Howard in September – the Bulls have found themselves in several close games this season, including a memorable 31-28 loss to then-ranked Florida. The quarterback who played against the Gators, Gerry Bohanon, is injured, as is another QB, Katravis Marsh, but freshman Byrum Brown has done pretty well as a starter. Brown went 21-of-25 for 240 yards and three touchdowns in the Bulls' 48-42 loss to Tulsa.

 10:40 p.m. | Alec Holler's one-handed TD grab seals UCF win

Somehow, someway, the final War on I-4 for the foreseeable future might go down as its best.

Alec Holler reeled in an incredible, one-handed, go-ahead touchdown with 20 seconds left, and UCF defended a last-gasp 31-yard Hail Mary attempt to win 46-39 and clinch a spot in next weekend's American Athletic Conference championship game.

The Knights (9-3, 6-2 AAC) will head to Tulane for a 4 p.m. Saturday kickoff in New Orleans, aiming for its fifth — and final — title before departing for the Big 12.

South Florida (1-11, 0-8) rallied from a 28-0 deficit, and took its lone lead of the night on Byrum Brown's 42-yard option keeper with 7:02 to play.

 10:05 p.m. | South Florida erases 28-0 deficit, takes 1st lead

South Florida has completed a 28-point comeback to take a stunning 39-38 lead with 7:02 remaining in regulation.

Byrum Brown, making just his second college start, ran for the tying score on a 42-yard option keeper. Spencer Shrader booted the go-ahead PAT.

The Bulls have a 217-116 edge in total yardage in the second half, coinciding with John Rhys Plumlee's exit due to injury.

As things stand, UCF would miss the American Athletic Conference championship game despite controlling its own destiny a week ago.

 10 p.m. | Kobe Hudson catches TD, UCF leads 38-32 in 4th quarter

UCF's offense delivered a huge response to start the fourth quarter.

Mikey Keene found Kobe Hudson alone in the back corner of the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown pass to give the Knights a little bit of breathing space with a 38-29 lead.

South Florida quickly mounted another drive via 27- and 18-yard completions from Byrum Brown to Jimmy Horn Jr., but Ricky Barber stymied the Bulls on 3rd-and-goal with a sack. Spencer Shrader knocked through a 35-yard field goal, putting South Florida within 38-32 with 9:31 left to play.

 9:35 p.m. | USF scores again, UCF clings to 31-29 lead

South Florida — yes, 1-10 South Florida — is mounting a third-quarter rally in an effort to deny UCF a spot in next week's American Athletic Conference title game.

Brian Battie bounced off tacklers for a 14-yard touchdown run, but the Knights sacked Byrum Brown on a third successive two-point conversion attempt and cling to a 31-29 lead.

UCF fumbled on consecutive plays, setting the Bulls up inside its own 30-yard line. South Florida capitalized on the short field and have scored 29 of the last 32 points in the game.

 9:30 p.m. | USF scores back-to-back TDs, pulls within 8

South Florida has suddenly made the War on I-4 a ballgame.

Touchdown runs from Byrum Brown and Michel Dukes sandwiched a Mikey Keene fumbled handoff, and the Bulls converted on consecutive two-point conversion attempts to pull within 31-23.

Making matters worse for the Knights, Ryan O'Keefe was stripped at UCF's 29-yard line. The Bulls have a chance to tie the game with 4:56 left in the third quarter.

 9:10 p.m. | Mikey Keene checks in at QB after halftime

For the second week in a row, Mikey Keene has led UCF's offense onto the field for its opening drive after halftime.

John Rhys Plumlee sustained an apparent injury on a 20-yard, second-quarter touchdown run, though he guided two more drives — and threw a 3-yard TD pass to Ryan O'Keefe.

Colton Boomer tacked on a 27-yard field goal after Davonte Brown forced a South Florida fumble on a disastrous trick play attempt near midfield. The Knights lead 31-7 with 9:09 left in the third quarter.

 8:35 p.m. | USF gets on the board, UCF leads 28-7 at the half

South Florida is finally on the scoreboard, courtesy of some fourth-down courage.

Interim head coach Daniel Da Prato rolled the dice on 4th-and-9 at UCF's 45-yard line, and was rewarded on an 11-yard catch by Omarion Dollison. Four plays later, Sean Atkins hauled in a swing pass from Byrum Brown for a touchdown.

UCF takes a 28-7 lead into the locker room, halfway to guaranteeing a spot in next week's American Athletic Conference championship game.

The Knights gained 318 yards, went 7 of 7 on third down and scored on each of their first four possessions.

 8:20 p.m. | Late hit, sideline skirmish results in 'unusual situation'

The War on I-4 just had an "unusual situation," in the words of referee Tim Rich.

UCF safety Koby Perry drilled South Florida quarterback Byrum Brown near the Bulls sideline, leading to a skirmish between the rival teams. All players were assessed unsportsmanlike conduct calls, cancelling out any sort of penalty yardage.

 8:10 p.m. | John Rhys Plumlee throws TD, UCF leads 28-0

John Rhys Plumlee, in some apparent discomfort, fit in a 3-yard touchdown pass to Ryan O'Keefe as UCF now leads South Florida 28-0 near the halfway point of the second quarter.

UCF has amassed 293 total yards on its first four drives. Justin Hodges snagged a deflected interception off the hands of Bulls wide receiver Holden Willis to set up the Knights' most recent score.

With a win, the Knights book a return trip to New Orleans next weekend to face Tulane in the American Athletic Conference championship game.

 7:50 p.m. | John Rhys Plumlee cruises for 2nd TD after USF fumble

UCF's defense created a crucial red zone turnover, resulting in a 14-point swing that has the War on I-4 shaping up to be a rout.

John Rhys Plumlee cruised for a 20-yard touchdown on a keeper, extending the Knights' advantage to 21-0 over South Florida with 11:25 left before halftime. Plumlee has 133 rushing yards and two scores on eight carries, and he is 5-of-5 passing for 51 yards.

Following the touchdown, Plumlee entered the medical tent. He exited before the ensuing kickoff.

USF had a chance to halve its deficit, but freshman quarterback Byrum Brown coughed up a fumble inside the 5 after escaping a potential sack by Divaad Wilson. Justin Hodges pounced on the loose ball in the end zone.

 7:40 p.m. | RJ Harvey doubles UCF's lead, caps long drive with TD

UCF looks determined to settle the War on I-4 early.

RJ Harvey capped a 13-play, 85-yard drive with a comfortable 3-yard touchdown run, giving the Knights a 14-0 lead over South Florida with 2:44 left in the opening quarter.

On two drives, UCF has gained 160 yards — 127 on the ground.

South Florida came up empty on its first possession, spoiling a shot at a 55-yard field goal after sending 12 players into the huddle. Brian Battie broke off a 26-yard run on the Bulls' first play from scrimmage.

 7:15 p.m. | John Rhys Plumlee scrambles for 64-yard TD run

It didn't take long for UCF to gash South Florida's bottom-ranked run defense.

John Rhys Plumlee raced for a 64-yard touchdown on 3rd-and-14 to give the Knights a 7-0 lead with 12:17 left in the opening quarter. Plumlee has taken off twice and gained 73 yards.

South Florida surrenders 224.5 rushing yards per game, dead last in the American Athletic Conference and near the bottom of the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Where and when will the UCF Knights play the USF Bulls?

Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

When: 7 p.m., Saturday

How can I watch UCF vs. USF on TV, streaming?

TV: ESPN2 (Channel 209 on DirecTV, Channel 143 on Dish Network), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial), fuboTV (7-day free trial)

Live stream: WatchESPN, ESPN app

How can I listen to UCF vs. USF on radio?

Radio: FM 96.9 The Game

Online radio: iHeart.com

What's the latest betting line for UCF vs. USF?

UCF is a x -point favorite over xxxxxx according to Tipico, the oddsmaker for USA TODAY. The over-under is x points.