The UCF run game was the story of Saturday night as the Knights pounded North Carolina A&T on the ground, racking up 356 rushing yards in a 68–7 blowout. What stood out wasn’t just the total yardage, but the way those yards came. UCF’s offense may still be searching for rhythm, but when the ball hit the perimeter, it was nothing short of electric.
The UCF run game produced three touchdowns of 60 yards or more, a rare feat even in college football where mismatches can create wide-open lanes. Jaden Nixon stole the show, racing for an 87-yard touchdown and adding another long score later. Jacurri Brown joined the highlight reel with his own 60-yard burst that showed the kind of speed and vision that makes defenses panic.
These big plays highlighted just how dangerous the Knights can be when the run game clicks. North Carolina A&T had no answer for the combination of speed and tempo that Scott Frost’s offense thrives on. Once UCF broke the line of scrimmage, it turned into a track meet. Nixon especially looked like a completely different back from week one, where he struggled and even ended with negative yardage. This time, he flipped the script with one of the best games of his career.
Feast or Famine?
Still, for all the fireworks, I couldn’t ignore that the UCF run game was feast or famine. Outside of those three explosive touchdowns, the ground attack looked far less dominant. Myles Montgomery, the workhorse back, finished with just 35 yards on eight carries. Nixon’s inside runs went nowhere. When the line opened a crease to the outside, the results were game-breaking. But when UCF tried to attack between the tackles, it was brick wall after brick wall.
That’s the balance Frost has to solve. The UCF run game can’t rely only on hitting home runs. The Big 12 won’t let you live on outside speed alone. Defenses are too physical, too disciplined, and too well-coached to consistently give up 60-yard touchdowns. The Knights need consistency. A three-yard push up the middle on first down keeps the playbook open. Right now, that’s where the offense is lacking.
What excites me, though, is how well the explosive plays fit into Frost’s philosophy. His offense is built to stress defenses with tempo, speed, and relentless pressure. UCF snapped the ball quickly, forced mismatches, and wore down North Carolina A&T until the dam finally broke. Once it did, Nixon and Brown were gone. Watching Nixon turn the corner and hit another gear reminded me of what this program has looked like at its best. The UCF run game has always thrived on speed, and Saturday was a reminder of just how lethal it can be.
But as fun as it was to watch, there are still real questions. Against North Carolina A&T, you can get away with inconsistency because you’re simply more talented. Against Kansas State, Baylor, or Texas Tech, those inside runs matter. Converting third-and-short, keeping your quarterback out of long passing downs, and wearing down defensive fronts is what allows the big plays to open up later. Without that foundation, the home runs won’t come as often.
The Bye Week
The bye week gives UCF a chance to work on that. The staff now has clear film showing both the strengths and the flaws of the run game. They know they have speed in Nixon and Brown. They know Montgomery can handle volume. What they need is for the offensive line to generate push inside. If that comes together, the UCF run game can be the engine that drives this team through Big 12 play.
For now, though, the explosive plays tell me one thing: the Knights have weapons that can change games in a single snap. That’s a luxury not every team has. If the consistency improves, this offense can be a nightmare for defenses. Until then, the UCF run game remains both thrilling and frustrating—capable of fireworks at any moment but still searching for steady ground.
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