The UCF Knights lost 41-9 to the Baylor Bears on Friday night at the Acrisure Bounce House. After winning their first eight Space Games, the Knights have lost their last two under head coach Scott Frost.
“I failed,” Frost said. “That’s the best front seven we’ve played. Hats off and congratulations; we got whipped tonight.”
Despite Baylor firing head coach Dave Aranda on Sunday, defensive coordinator and interim head coach Joe Klanderman led his team to a victory on short rest. Former Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway passed for 319 yards and four touchdowns while both Knights quarterbacks combined for 215 yards, no scores, and an interception.
“[Lagway’s] a really good player,” Frost said. “To compliment him, he made all the throws. I don’t think we played the game long enough to put him in a situation where he might make a mistake.”
Both teams started with a punt and a turnover, but the Bears would proceed to score on six of their next seven drives. The Knights would not pick up their first first down until halfway through the second quarter when already trailing by 14.
“We didn’t play our brand of football,” UCF wide receiver Josh Derry said. “Starting the game slow and continued the game slow.”
Former Gators tight end Tony Livingston scored two touchdowns on his two receptions, including the opening score, while Caden Knighten punched in the second touchdown against the Knights defense on a strong second effort.
All of UCF’s scores came from the leg of Will Stone, who converted all three of his field goal attempts. Stone’s second kick was from 57 yards, which set a new school record for the longest made field goal.
“It felt great,” Stone said. “It’s a really cool accomplishment, but I’m not making that if it’s not for my snapper and my holder and those other 10 guys blocking for me. Those guys did a really good job today.”
Coming out of the half down two scores, the Knights picked up a first down, but back-to-back penalties made it 1st and 25. Starting quarterback Keyone Jenkins stayed down on the field with an ankle injury after third down, forcing Alonza Barnett III into the game for his first appearance since September 12.
“I’m happy for [Barnett III] to be able to come back out there coming from an injury,” Derry said. “I know that’s something he’s been waiting for and he took advantage of the opportunity.”
Baylor would start the half with back-to-back touchdown drives, setting the Knights behind by 28 points. UCF’s final score came on a Stone field goal halfway through the third quarter, as the Knights turned the ball over on downs on four of their last five drives.
The Bears tacked on a late touchdown on a Matthew Klopfenstein catch for his first score of the season. UCF’s offense was threatening to score on the final drive after third-string quarterback Rocco Marriott had a 56-yard rush, but the freshman stuffed and fumbled to end the game.
UCF was outgained 503 to 281 by Baylor while winning the time of possession battle. Before Marriott’s rush, the Knights only managed 16 rushing yards in the game.
Next up
The Knights travel to Lawrence to face the Kansas Jayhawks next Saturday. Kansas defeated Baylor last week at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
“We haven’t won a road game here in a while and we’re gonna get a chance Saturday,” Frost said. “Kansas beat [Baylor], TCU beat [Baylor], and we beat TCU; that’s the Big 12. We’re gonna have to go on the road and play our absolute best to get a win.”
Kickoff against the Jayhawks is TBD on November 7.