The UCF Knights fall to 0-2 in Big 12 competition as the Sunflower State of Kansas completes the season sweep, with the Jayhawks winning 27-20. It’s time for some Knee-Jerk Reactions.
UCF’s Quarterback Decimation, Round Two
Here we go again.
In the first half, quarterback Tayven Jackson dinked and dunked, going 12/19 for 91 yards. In the second half, Jackson went 2/4 for 6 yards before getting knocked out of the game. Much like how Cam Fancher got injured early in the season, Jayhawk defender Jalen Dye had an unabated route to Jackson, hitting him head-on in his non-throwing shoulder and causing Jackson to fumble the ball. Kansas recovered it at the UCF two-yard line and scored the go-ahead touchdown. Fancher then stepped back in for his first appearance since the first half of the first game.
UCF’s offense was dialed during the first half. The Knights scored on all four of their possessions, including a pair of rushing touchdowns by Myles Montgomery. Montgomery finished the first half with 99 yards and two touchdowns on only ten carries.
In the second half, the offense died. The team finished the quarter with a net negative one yard of offense, and a 20-14 lead became a 27-20 deficit. After Fancher entered the game late in the third quarter, it took him a bit to start putting his mark on the offense. The Knights’ offense in the fourth quarter played with a sense of urgency, and Fancher did his best Harry Houdini impression, escaping from situations that should have yielded large losses. He single-handedly kept the team in the game. He had one run of over 10 yards and three passes of over 15, all in the fourth quarter.
First Quarter Defensive Dominance
UCF’s defense has been on fire this season…in the first quarter. Through five games, the team has not given up any points in the first quarter. The statsheet reflected the Knights’ good fortune as the Jayhawks were held to 59 total yards of offense while the Knights countered with 131 yards.
In the second quarter, the Kansas offense started moving the ball on the UCF defense. Surprisingly, the Jayhawks have had more success in the air than on the ground despite quarterback Jalon Daniels’ legs. Running back Leshon Williams had running success on UCF’s side of the field, gaining double-digit yards twice and scoring two touchdowns from inside the five. Daniels was unable to get running, but he showed great touch on his deep routes, completing seven passing plays of 15 yards or more.
During the second half, the defense was dealt some difficult hands. The Jayhawks had a one-play, two-yard drive for a touchdown. While that falls on the defense statistically, it isn’t fair to pin that on them. Aside from the touchdown, the defense gave up 143 yards of total offense in the second half and a pair of field goals. Much like how UCF’s offense was shut down in the third quarter, Kansas was shut down in the fourth, mustering only 12 yards of total offense, all of it on the ground.
What Now?
It feels like a broken record talking about the injury to Tayven Jackson. According to head coach Scott Frost, the X-rays were negative. It remains to be seen what soft tissue damage there is. We also learned that defensive lineman Horace Lockett is out for the season with a torn pectoral muscle. This is a massive blow to the defensive line as Lockett was having an excellent season.
The team seems not to understand how to win fully. That’s not to say they are not competitive or try hard. This is also not just about the players or the coaches. This is the program as a whole, and Frost acknowledges that. He feels that this team has some parallels to the 2016 season. During that season, UCF was more talented than opponents like Maryland and Temple, but lost close games against both late. Frost looked visibly frustrated when discussing how UCF was up two scores and had an opportunity to put Kansas away, but let the momentum slip.
Uniform Review
Knightmode 2.0 has entered the building. UCF has a new set of uniforms for 2025, and the Knightmode template has been updated. The new template does have some changes that the equipment team highlighted. First, the Knighthead on the side is screen printed instead of sublimated. Next, the font has been updated to match the other 2025 uniforms, and the numbers now have a black trim. Even with a black uniform top, having a trim around the numbers makes a positive difference. The previous Knightmode had no trim. I don’t think I’ve stressed it enough that I love seeing TV numbers back on UCF’s uniforms. Unfortunately, UCF did not fix the names on the back. They were previously reflective black that was very difficult to read, and they decided to keep that. It’s not a feature, it’s a bug.
You know it’s bad when the statisticians in the press box are commenting on how they cannot read the name on any of the players. Another noticeable thing is the helmet. UCF used a non-chrome gold block logo to try to match the Knightmode gold, which is a darker shade.
Stat Leaders:
Passing:
UCF: Tayven Jackson: 14/23 for 97 yards, 0 TD, 0 Int
Kansas: Jalon Daniels: 18/26 for 235 yards, 0 TD, 0 Int
Rushing:
UCF: Myles Montgomery: 22 carries for 110 yards, 2 TD
Kansas: Leshon Williams: 12 carries for 58 yards, 2 TD
Receiving:
UCF: Duane Thomas Jr: 4 catches for 42 yards, 0 TD
Kansas: Cam Pickett.: 5 catches for 64 yards, 0 TD
Game Notes:
- Kansas leads the series 2-0.
- Through five games, UCF has not given up any points in the first quarter.
- Myles Montgomery had his second consecutive 100-yard rushing game.
- Sorry, it’s not my best, but a security guard was blocking my view at a crucial moment.
