UCF wrapped up its nonconference schedule with an impressive win Saturday over North Carolina and six-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick as the Knights improved to 3-0 for the third straight season.
Scott Frost will get his first taste of coaching in the Big 12 when UCF travels to Kansas State to face the struggling Wildcats on Saturday. But before then, let’s look at five things learned from the Knights’ win over the Tar Heels.
Defense continues to excel
If there is an MVP so far this season for the Knights, it would have to be new defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.
UCF has held opponents to a total of 26 points through the first three games, averaging 8.67 points per game. That’s the lowest total through the first three games since the Knights allowed a total of 20 points to start the 2011 season.
“I can’t say enough about the job coach Grinch did and has done,” Frost said. “He’s got a chip on his shoulder like I do and he wants to be great, and you’re starting to see what he can do with the defense.”
UCF defenders have been more aggressive throughout the early part of the season, registering six takeaways (4 interceptions, 2 fumbles). That’s the most since the Knights had 12 takeaways through the first three games of the 2020 COVID-19 season.
Offensive line steps up in coach’s absence
The Knights faced a difficult week off the field as offensive line coach Shawn Clark was hospitalized for a medical emergency during the team’s bye week. His absence was clearly felt and fueled many of the players, particularly on the offensive line.
The unit didn’t allow a sack and helped the offense score three rushing touchdowns.
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“The offensive line really played with some passion today — a lot because they love coach Clark like I do, and they wanted to fight for him,” Frost explained.
Even more impressive was the offense’s ability to put together three sustainable drives of double-digit plays, including a season-high 18-play possession that went 93 yards and took more than 10 minutes off the clock to seal the game in the fourth quarter.
“That was a great way to finish off the game for those guys and an unbelievable job sustaining that drive,” added Frost.
There is no quarterback controversy
Tayven Jackson improved to 2-0 as UCF’s starting quarterback after another outstanding performance, erasing any doubts as to who should be the starter.
The redshirt junior went 25 of 32 with 223 yards and a touchdown while also leading the team with a career-high 66 yards rushing with a score.
Jackson has completed 70% (54 of 77) of his passes for 694 yards with 3 touchdowns. He’s averaging more than 9 yards per pass attempt and has led the Knights on scoring drives on 15 of 24 possessions.
North Carolina quarterback Gio Lopez (7) is sacked by Central Florida edge Sincere Edwards during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
“Tayven made some plays that a lot of people might not notice,” Frost said. “With blitzes coming off edges and hanging on the ball and throwing it over their heads and seeing some things that maybe weren’t first on his progression and getting the ball out, he made some really good quarterback plays today.”
Receivers step up
When UCF began the season, there wasn’t a receiver on the roster who had played significant minutes at the Football Bowl Subdivision level. There was plenty of uncertainty facing the unit, but that seems to have cleared up through the first three games.
Nine players caught a pass on Saturday and seven of those had multiple catches, led by tight end Dylan Wade and receiver Duane Thomas Jr.’s five catches apiece.
Thomas leads the team with 12 catches for 148 yards, followed by Wade’s 9 catches for 111 yards and DJ Black’s 105 yards on 9 catches.
“They played great today,” said Jackson. “They got YAC [yards after catch]. It was a good game to see our receivers do what they did today.”
Penalties remain a concern
Frost kept emphasizing the recurring issue of penalties that his team is facing.
UCF was flagged 7 times on Saturday, including a pair of offsides penalties on the defense on crucial third downs.
“That’s really on me for jumping offside on third-and-5,” edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly said. “I can’t do that. That’s just not being a leader or a veteran. We’ve got to clean that up.”
The Knights have amassed 22 total penalties through three games. That is the most since the team had 24 to start the 2022 season.
Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.
