Knights quarterback Tayven Jackson ignites offense, leading to a dominant 45-13 victory over West Virginia and ending a three-game losing streak.
After a week full of homecoming activities, Knights fans gathered at the Acrisure Bounce House Saturday afternoon, witnessing a 45-13 win. This is UCF's first win in the month of October since joining the Big 12 Conference in 2023.
The Knights move to 4-3 overall, with a 1-3 record in conference play.
UCF welcomed junior quarterback Tayven Jackson back to the starting role after a lingering AC joint sprain injury kept him sidelined last week against Cincinnati.
Jackson wasted no time, leading UCF down the field on its first offensive drive, capping it off with a 40-yard strike to redshirt senior wide receiver Chris Domercant.
After forcing a turnover on downs on the following drive, Jackson found Domercant again—this time down the left seam for a 34-yard touchdown. The Knights jumped out to an early 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Coach Scott Frost told a Big 12 Conference sideline reporter that executing these big plays were the biggest difference from weeks prior.
"We made more big plays today. That's what's been missing," Frost said. We've gotten plenty of yards and done good enough things to be in games. A couple plays like that change the game and we got 'em today."
Like UCF, West Virginia has shuffled around at the quarterback position. True freshman Scotty Fox Jr. got the call Saturday, making his first collegiate start.
However, the young signal caller's debut was cut short after struggling in the first quarter and being sacked four times. The Mountaineers turned to another freshman, inserting the southpaw, Khalil Watkins.
After the West Virginia defense forced a UCF turnover on downs, Watkins provided an instant spark with his legs, running for 36 yards, including a 6-yard scamper for six.
The Knights responded with a good looking drive, including a highlight reel one-handed catch from redshirt senior Marcus Burke. But, once again, the drive ended on downs.
West Virginia moved the ball into Knights territory just before halftime setting up senior kicker Kade Hensley for a 44-yard field goal attempt, but he failed to convert. UCF carried a 14-7 lead into the break.
After throwing for two touchdowns in the first half, Jackson continued to look comfortable, leading UCF on a 92-yard touchdown drive after intermission. Jackson threw for 65 yards on the drive before handing the read option to redshirt senior Jaden Nixon for a 12-yard score.
The following drive, redshirt senior linebacker Keli Lawson broke the game open, recovering a Mountaineer fumble and returning it for six. This was Lawson's first time scoring a touchdown since his time at Virginia Tech in 2022.
The UCF defense continued to hold strong for the remainder of the third quarter, forcing two West Virginia punts and neutralizing UCF's lone turnover. The Knights sacked the Mountaineer quarterbacks eight times, a program-best since 2000.
Frost told media after the game that this was his defense's "most complete game," and gave credit to Lawson's game-breaking scoop and score. But, Frost still thinks the defensive unit has potential for growth.
"They can continue to get better, despite missing some pieces now," Frost said. I think that group is starting to come together and play as a unit."
UCF has allowed an average of 146.3 passing yards per game, ranking seventh best nationally.
With just over two minutes to go, Nixon broke off another long run, as Knights fans have become accustomed to this season. This one went for 83 yards and a touchdown, pushing the Knights lead to 35-7.
Nixon gave credit to his teammates after the games, saying that their energy allows him to break off these huge plays.
"I just like being a spark player, wherever I'm at on the field..." Nixon said. "We don't do this solo, man, we a team. So, we all gotta eat."
Senior kicker Noe Ruelas showed off his leg, tacking on a 51-yard field goal with nine minutes to play. He has now made his last 10 field goals.
After another stellar defensive series, UCF decided to give some of the younger players opportunity to play. Freshman quarterback Davi Belfort took full advantage, scoring his first college touchdown on a 10-yard keeper.
After West Virginia scored a garbage time touchdown with just under two minutes to go, UCF ran out the remainder of the clock, cruising to a 45-13 win.
Spreading the wealth was a consistent theme for UCF's offense, as 11 different receivers recorded a reception.
Frost had emphasized getting more people on the field in prior press conferences, and surely stayed true to that philosophy today.
UCF will look to carry this momentum into the bye week, as the Knights will travel to Waco, TX to take on the Baylor Bears following the week off. UCF notoriously defeated Baylor in the 2014 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl for the program's first BCS bowl game.
