UCF Coach Scott Frost Expects a ‘Motivated’ Baylor Team

The Baylor Bears fired coach David Aranda after back-to-back losses, but UCF Knights coach Scott Frost isn't underestimating the opponent because of a coaching change.

Baylor defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman has stepped up as interim coach. Frost praised the Bears' defense and said the team will be well coached ahead of Friday's matchup.

They are the fourth-best run defense, allowing 104.1 yards per game, and are the 10th-best pass defense, allowing 236 yards per game.

It sets the stage for another 200-plus-yard game for quarterback Keyone Jenkins, as Frost is riding the "hot hand" after leading the Knights to a historic upset against the then-No. 2 BYU Cougars last Saturday.

UCF faced Klanderman's defense twice since joining the Big 12 in 2023, when he was the coordinator for the Kansas State Wildcats. His defenses allowed 25.5 points, 230.5 passing yards and 174 rushing yards per game.

Frost and his squad aim to carry the momentum built from last Saturday's win, as they are two wins away from bowl eligibility.

Friday's game is one of the more interesting weekday games, and it holds a special meaning to the team.

It is the 10th annual Space Game, which pays homage to the university's ties to the space industry. UCF revealed its Mission X uniforms on Sept. 29.

The uniform has a white base color with a Modified Microgramma font for the numbers, popular in 1960s science fiction. The collar's base color is Canaveral Blue, with colored stripes on the pants (red on the right, blue on the left).

UCF had an eight-game winning streak during the annual game until the Houston Cougars broke that streak last season. Houston won 30-27, and safety Kentrell Webb intercepted former UCF quarterback Davi Belfort to seal the game.

The Knights aim to avenge last season's Space Game loss and bounce back from one of their worst losses, handed to them by the Bears.

Aranda's squad blew them out 30-3. Big 12 passing leader Sawyer Robertson threw for 267 yards and three touchdowns to future NFL teammates Kole Wilson, Michael Trigg and Josh Cameron.

It was their second-largest loss of the season, trailing behind a 39-point blowout to the then-No. 6 Texas Tech Red Raiders.

UCF could get some key contributors back in running back Taevion Swint and linebacker Lewis Carter. Frost said they could be game-time decisions for Friday, and if not, then they will be game-time decisions next week against the Kansas Jayhawks.