UCF Sticking Together After Disappointing Baylor Loss

UCF prepared for takeoff in its 10th annual Space Game on Friday, but Baylor cut the fuel lines and handed its opponent the worst loss of the season.

Bears quarterback DJ Lagway threw for four touchdowns, a season-best for the junior, leading his team to a 41-9 win. The Knights relied on placekicker Will Stone for all their points.

Friday’s 32-point blowout marked the worst loss margin this season, surpassing a 14-point loss to then-No. 18 Oklahoma State on Oct. 10.

UCF entered Week 9 with blazing momentum after upsetting then-No. 2 BYU last Saturday. That momentum wasn’t enough to stop a motivated Baylor team that fired former coach Dave Aranda.

Defensive tackle Horace Lockett said the team has to stick together in his postgame press conference. He emphasized leading by example for the teammates next to him.

Lockett finished with eight tackles and one sack, joining linebackers Jahleel Culbreath and Tackett Curtis as the other Knights to record a sack.

Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch saw an improved pass rush from his front seven. Lockett, Culbreath and Curtis matched the team’s sack total in the previous three games.

His front seven took one step forward while the secondary took one step backward. Lagway threw for 319 yards, becoming the third quarterback to throw for 300-plus yards against UCF.

The Florida transfer completed five passes of 20 or more yards, including a 77-yard touchdown to wide receiver Gavin Freeman. Every scoring drive had a large completion that put Baylor into scoring position.

Friday’s loss should be a wake up call.

Four games are left in the season, and coach Scott Frost is close to repeating history. UCF sported a 4-4 record after eight games and went 1-3 in the final four.

Last Saturday’s upset alleviated pressure to win three of the last five — arguably a season-changing outcome. Now, Frost is back in the same boat.

The Knights will have to face their toughest opponent, road games, after splitting a two-game home stand. They will travel to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and face Kansas at 3:45 p.m. on Saturday.

Grinch’s defense could get a major contributor back. Linebacker Lewis Carter should be a game-time decision, according to Frost.

Carter has missed all of conference play with a knee injury. Jayden Jennings, Culbreath and Curtis have stepped up in his absence.

UCF hasn’t broke its 11-game road losing streak, and its returning senior is hungry to break that skid.