UCF’s football season is three-fourths of the way over. The team has experienced its share of highs and lows while continuing to navigate the challenges of Big 12 competition. From key victories and standout individual performances to difficult losses and areas in need of improvement, the Knights have shown flashes of potential throughout the first stretch of the season.
The Knights started the season in non-conference play by setting a program record against Bethune-Cookman University in game one for the largest margin of victory (67 points) and tied its record for the most points scored in a single game.
Quarterback Alonza Barnett III would suffer a hamstring injury that would lead to a 12-7 loss on the road to Pittsburgh. However, backup quarterback Keyone Jenkins would step in for the Knights next game, and running back Duke Watson would rush for 177 yards in only 14 rushing attempts, carrying the Knights to a 2-1 record to start the season.
The Knights opened Big 12 play at home with a 21-13 win vs. TCU. Jenkins led the Knights to victory with a near-perfect 19 of 20 passing attempts completed.
Injuries would plague the team already missing their starting quarterback, causing the Knights to have to compete with multiple starters out..UCF would suffer back-to-back road losses against No. 20 Houston and No. 18 Oklahoma State.
Following a two-game slide, UCF beat No. 2 BYU 39-31 in double overtime at home in the program’s biggest upset win in history. UCF overcame an early deficit and traded leads with the undefeated Cougars throughout a back-and-forth contest. Keyone Jenkins led the Knights’ offense with 293 passing yards, three touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown, while wide receiver Tyren Hornes recorded 137 receiving yards.
UCF’s defense then sealed the historic victory by forcing an incomplete pass on BYU’s final possession, securing the Knights’ first-ever win over a top-five opponent.
The Knights then fell to Baylor at home the following week in a disappointing 41-9 loss in the annual Space Game. UCF struggled to carry its momentum into the matchup, as Baylor controlled the game on both sides of the ball. The setback loss would end the Knights’ 4-game home winning streak and bump the team’s record to 4-4.
Alonza Barnett III returned to action on the road vs. Kansas, leading the Knights with a 10-play, 73-yard game-winning drive in the final minute, connecting with tight end Caden Piening for a 6-yard touchdown with 3 seconds remaining. The 33-32 win snapped a 12-game road losing streak.
The Knights now sit at 5-4 (3-3 in Big 12) and look to add another win vs. Arizona State on Saturday at Acrisure Bounce House at 12:30 p.m.
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