The UCF Knights defeated the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats 73-6 on Thursday night in their first game of the season at the Acrisure Bounce House. The Knights extended their season opener win streak to 11 and their streak against Bethune-Cookman to nine.
“We did what we were supposed to do tonight,” UCF coach Scott Frost said. “It’s a different league, but I appreciate those guys…I told the team after the game we can’t compact ourselves on the back of this.”
UCF tied its highest-scoring performance in school history with 73 points, only matched by a 73-33 outing in 2017. The 67 point margin of victory is the largest in school history, besting the previous record of 64.
Bethune-Cookman picked up a first down on its opening possession, but punted on fourth-and-one at midfield. The Knights would quickly capitalize on the stop with a 64-yard rushing touchdown from Louisville transfer Duke Watson to open the scoring.
“We manifest this stuff; we like ‘Hey Duke, your first run, you gotta take it to the baja,'” UCF running back Taevion Swint said. “When I said baja, I mean touchdown.”
On the next play from scrimmage, Tyler Jefferson’s pass was intercepted by Jayden Williams, who returned the ball 47 yards for a touchdown. In the span of 20 seconds, the Knights went over 100 yards for two scores.
“It felt great [to get an interception],” Williams said. “It was really something I prayed about.”
After another Bethune-Cookman punt, UCF put together an 11-play, 85-yard drive, capped off by an Alonza Barnett III rushing touchdown. Despite not practicing all spring, the James Madison QB transfer went 6-for-8 with 73 yards and a score in the first quarter of his UCF debut.
On the first play of the second quarter, Barnett III found Jonathan Bibbs for a 23-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 28. UCF was stopped for the first time on the following drive, but Bethune-Cookman was unable to capitalize and punted the ball right back. The Knights would end their next drive with a Will Stone field goal, the first of his college career.
The Wildcats made it to plus territory for the first time all night late in the second quarter, but a false start, tackle for loss, and fumble ended the possession before taking a snap in Knights territory.
A penalty-filled drive followed, with a UCF touchdown taken off the board before Bethune-Cookman gave the Knights first-and-goal from the two-yard line. Landen Chambers capitalized with a two yard touchdown, extending the lead to 38 before the end of the half.
Coming out of the break, Taevion Swint returned the kickoff for 57 yards and took the ball 27 yards to the endzone five plays later. In the third quarter, four UCF quarterbacks led touchdown drives.
Knights freshman quarterback Rocco Marriott took a QB sneak in to give UCF a 73-0 lead, tying their highest-scoring game in school history. In the fourth quarter, the Knights did not attempt a pass.
On the final drive, the Wildcats were able to salvage a touchdown on the last play of the game. Freshman quarterback Joel Morris found Kobe Stewart for a touchdown, saving Bethune-Cookman from a shutout.
UCF held Bethune-Cookman to 181 yards, with 80 of those yards coming on the final drive. The Knights had 560 net yards in the contest, including 360 on the ground.
“We played great on all three phases, some complimentary football,” Barnett III said. “But still, I’ve seen some things we can be better at, especially on my end.”
Next up
The Knights travel to Pittsburgh to face the Panthers next Saturday. Pitt holds the all-time series record at 2-1, but the teams split their series in 2018 and 2019 under Josh Heupel.
“I’m familiar with [Pitt],” Watson said. “I played them two times in the ACC, and I really get to play them for a third time and come out with a win.”
Kickoff against Pittsburgh is set for 3:30 p.m. on September 12.