Just hours before kicking off against North Carolina and Bill Belechick, UCF had yet to name a starting quarterback. There was speculation surrounding the job, especially this week, as FAU transfer Cam Fancher cleared concussion protocal and returned to practice this week.
But the Knights have decided to stay with Tayven Jackson.
The starting quarterback position has been a highly contested job for the Knights since the offseason. Eventually, the southpaw, Fancher earned the nod, beating out redshirt junior Jacurri Brown and Jackson.
Unfortunately, Fancher’s role as starter was short-lived, as a concussion sidelined him midway through the first quarter of UCF’s opener against Jacksonville State. He was only able to play two full series before the injury. Fancher remained inactive for UCF’s 68-7 clobbering of North Carolina A&T in week 2.
In his Sept. 15th press conference, UCF head coach Scott Frost announced Fancher had cleared concussion protocal and was cleared to practice. Frost relucted to name a starter at the time.
Since Fancher’s concussion, Jackson has filled in nicely, helping lead the Knights to a 2-0 start. UCF’s offense stuttered early on in their week 1 matchup against Jacksonville State, tallying a lone field goal until the fourth quarter.
The Knights trailed Jacksonville State 10-3 with just over 12 minutes to play in the fourth, but Jackson quickly unleahsed a 39-yard strike to junior tight end Dylan Wade to even the game at 10.
With just 1:03 left in the ballgame, Jackson would throw another 30+ yard touchdown, this time to redshirt junior wide receiver DJ Black. Jackson’s two deep-ball touchdowns injected some life into the UCF offense, which would carry over its momentum into a 68-point explosion the following week.
Now, with North Carolina and Bill Belechick looming, the starter has finally been announced. Will the Knights regret straying from their original decision, or will rolling with Jackson’s hot hand prove fruitful? Only time will tell.