UCF Linebackers Have ‘Next Man Up’ Mindset in Midst of Injuries

The injury plague has hit the UCF Knights' linebacker corps hard this season, sidelining impactful seniors and testing the position's depth.

Lewis Carter has missed the past two games, and Jayden Jennings sustained an upper-body injury in last Saturday's loss to the No. 22 Houston Cougars.

Carter walked to the medical tent in Week 2's loss to the Pittsburgh Panthers, supposedly with a knee injury. He played in the following week, but the UCF injury report for its Big 12 home opener revealed the senior would be out.

Losing its leader and best tackler tested the defense, and they responded against the TCU Horned Frogs. Wisconsin transfer Tackett Curtis recorded his first career interception, helping the Knights score on the next drive.

Jennings stepped up in Carter's absence last Saturday, but got injured in the second quarter. UCF ruled him out for the rest of the game, and he wore an arm sling on the sideline.

The fifth-year is a valuable returner who played nine games (two starts) last season. Continuity is the Knights' underrated strength, but injuries are cancelling it out.

Old Dominion transfer Jahleel Culbreath said linebackers coach Mike D'Onofrio expresses a "next man up" mentality. Culbreath said the position would stay afloat during this injury bug, and they focus on preparation weekly.

"So, we're going to keep our heads down, keep grinding," Culbreath said during Monday's media availability. "Next man up, um, we're going to take care of it. We'll be good."

Last Saturday's loss against the Cougars exposed the weakness that injuries dealt the Knights. Quarterback Connor Weigman repeatedly completed passes over the middle, marching his team downfield before a rushing touchdown.

UCF can't afford to allow easy completions, especially against ranked opponents. The team faces another tough challenge on Saturday against No. 18 Oklahoma State and quarterback Drew Mestemaker.

Mestemaker has thrown for 1,271 yards, including three straight 300-plus-yard and multi-touchdown games. He completed 90.9% of his 22 passes in Oklahoma State's 59-point blowout over the Murray State Racers on Sept. 19.

The Cowboys also have a star running back in Caleb Hawkins, who leads the team with 441 yards and two touchdowns. He's coming off a season-high 180 yards against the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Oklahoma State's diverse attack will test a depleted linebacker corps with Curtis and Culbreath holding the fort.

Curtis has become the Knights' leading tackler since Carter went out, topping the group with 33 tackles, one interception and one sack. Culbreath trails with 19 tackles and 0.5 sacks.

Carter and Jennings' status will receive updates on Wednesday night's injury report, but for now, the two transfers are anchoring the front seven.