Game time: Oct. 11, 12 p.m.
Where: Cincinnati, Ohio, Nippert Stadium
TV: FS1
VITALS: The UCF Knights (3-2, 0-2 Big 12) travel to Nippert Stadium to face a long-time rival in the Cincinnati Bearcats (4-1, 2-0 Big 12). This rivalry dates back to Oct. 31, 2015, when the Bearcats trampled over the Black and Gold in a 52-7 victory, and currently holds bragging rights as they also won the last matchup 19-13 on Oct. 12, 2024. The Knights face another dual-threat quarterback in junior quarterback Brendan Sorsby and senior running backs Tawee Walker and Evan Pryor.
Betting odds, courtesy of USA Today
Spread: UCF +10.5, Cincinnati -10.5
Moneyline: UCF +325, Cincinnati -425
O/U: 54.5 total points
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KEY UCF PLAYERS:
QB Tayven Jackson: 906 YDS, 3 TDs, 1 INT; 28 RUSH, 65 YDS, 3 TDs
RB Myles Montgomery: 73 RUSH, 378 YDS, 3 TDs; 9 REC, 112 YDS
WR Duane Thomas Jr: 21 REC, 245 YDS
LB Lewis Carter: 32 TOT TKLS (20 SOLO, 12 AST), 1 SACK, 1 FF
LB Jayden McDonald: 8 TOT TKLS (6 SOLO, 2 AST), 1 INT
KEY UCF STATS:
SCORING OFFENSE: 31.8 POINTS/GAME (9th in Big 12)
- 222.8 PASSING YARDS/GAME (10th in Big 12)
- 203.2 RUSHING YARDS/GAME (7th in Big 12)
SCORING DEFENSE: 17.4 POINTS/GAME (5th in Big 12)
- 150.8 PASSING YARDS/GAME (3rd in Big 12)
- 155 RUSHING YARDS/GAME (10th in Big 12)
QUOTEABLE: “That’s a combination of — obviously — the ability, physicality, scheme and coaching from the offensive line standpoint,” UCF defensive coordinator Alex Grinch said in his press conference on Tuesday, addressing Cincinnati’s elite offensive line. “Obviously, personnel — experienced group — and then a quarterback that can get himself out of some trouble as well.”
UCF LOOKING TO BREAK LOSING SKID AND LEAD ALL-TIME SERIES AGAINST CINCINNATI
The Black and Gold are winless in Big 12 conference play, suffering losses to Kansas State and Kansas. The Bearcats' offense has been an unstoppable force as Sorsby dissects defenses with his arm and extends plays with his legs. Cincinnati’s offensive line is a nigh-impenetrable trench, as they have only allowed one sack this season.
UCF hasn’t let an opponent score in the first quarter this season, and this streak may be in jeopardy with the Bearcats' red-hot offense, especially with the loss of junior defensive tackle Horace Lockett to a season-ending torn pectoral muscle.
Senior linebacker Cole Kozlowski spoke on how UCF is preparing for Cincinnati and overcoming its recent challenges to get back in the win column.
“It comes down to being assignment sound,” Kozlowski said. “I think when it comes down to us as a defense, it’s really just flying around the ball.”
The Knights travel to Cincinnati in hopes of cooling off one of the hottest offenses in the nation and earning their first Big 12 win to hop back on the trajectory they began at the beginning of the season.