From Alonza Barnett III to Dillon Gabriel, recurring late-game injuries have derailed the Knights' momentum, forcing coach Scott Frost to navigate another season behind backup arms.
The UCF Knights have had terrible luck at finding consistent quarterback production because injuries often force them to start more than one player a season.
Alonza Barnett III sustained a hamstring injury in the final minutes of UCF's loss to the Pittsburgh Panthers last Saturday and is expected to miss multiple weeks, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.
Barnett's Week 2 injury marks the second straight season the Knights have had their quarterback injured in non-conference play. Cam Fancher, now at Michigan State, sustained a back and leg injury in the 17-14 season-opening victory over Jacksonville State.
Losing starters forced coach Scott Frost to rely on his backups for extended periods, including Tayven Jackson last season and a battle between Keyone Jenkins and Kaleb Annet to replace their star.
Jackson held the fort down early, throwing for 694 yards and three touchdowns before regressing in conference play. He threw eight interceptions to his seven touchdowns and even sustained a hamstring injury in the heartbreaking loss to the Houston Cougars in the annual Space Game.
These injury issues extend back to 2021, when current Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel played for the program.
Gabriel suffered a season-ending clavicle fracture in the final minutes against the Louisville Cardinals. It was the third and final non-conference game.
Mikey Keene stepped up in his teammate's absence and threw for 1,730 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions.
John Rhys-Plumlee, the Knights' leader in 2023, sustained a right leg/knee injury in the final moments of UCF's Week 2 win over the Boise State Broncos.
Timmy McClain led the charge with Rhys-Plumlee sidelined, but went 1-4 in his starts, picking up his lone win against Villanova in his first start.
There's a common theme for UCF quarterback injuries: they often happen in the final minutes of games. It's nothing short of bad luck, and it plays a significant role in the program's inconsistency and poor play.
Frost will have to navigate another season without his star quarterback for an extended period, coming after he said the team will go as far as Barnett takes them.
He hasn't confirmed a starter for Saturday's game against the Georgia State Panthers. The Knights are heavily favored to win, according to ESPN's matchup predictor, which could build momentum for whoever Frost appoints as the temporary starter.
Injuries are unavoidable, but for UCF to build consistency and success, the luck needs to turn around sooner rather than later.
