UCF desperately needed a victory and the Knights got it, fueled by a strong performance from quarterback Tayven Jackson and a solid defensive showing.
Jackson connected with receiver Chris Domercant on two touchdowns and linebacker Keli Lawson returned a fumble for a touchdown as UCF rolled to a 45-13 win over visiting West Virginia on Saturday.
The victory ends several frustrating streaks for the Knights: they broke a three-game losing streak, a six-game skid against Big 12 opponents and a nine-game slide during the month of October.
UCF (4-3, 1-3 Big 12) already has equaled its number of wins from last season.
The Knights looked impressive in their opening drive, marching 97 yards and capped by a 40-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Domercant. It was Jackson’s first touchdown pass since the North Carolina game on Sept. 20.
Injuries forced West Virginia to turn to true freshman Scotty Fox at quarterback. The Ohio native was under pressure early in the game, sacked twice by defensive tackle RJ Jackson Jr. and linebacker Cole Kozlowski.
It was the first time UCF’s defense had multiple sacks in a game since North Carolina.
Jackson and Domercant connected again, this time on a 34-yard pass that pushed the advantage to 14-0.
But the Knights gambled on a 4th-and-1 on their own 39-yard line and lost, giving West Virginia new life. The Mountaineers took advantage as backup quarterback Khalil Wilkins rushed for 33 yards, including a 6-yard plunge into the end zone to cut the lead to 14-7.
UCF quarterback Tayven Jackson throws during the first half against West Virginia. Jackson was back in the starting lineup after missing the past game with an injury. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF responded with a 12-play drive inside of West Virginia territory, but the Knights failed to convert on a 4th-and-1 as Myles Montgomery was stopped short of the first-down marker.
The Knights responded on defense, forcing a three-and-out, but the offense continued to struggle.
West Virginia relied on trickery late in the first half as punter Oliver Straw scrambled for a 12-yard gain on a 4th-and-7 on the Mountaineers’ 47. The drive continued when UCF was hit with a 15-yard penalty after edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly was called for unnecessary roughness for hitting a scrambling Wilkins out of bounds.
WVU kicker Kade Hensley missed on a 44-yard field goal at the end of the half.
UCF started the second half much like it had started the game.
The Knights drove 92 yards, highlighted by a 12-yard touchdown run by running back Jaden Nixon that pushed the lead to 21-7 with 12:04 left in the third quarter.
It was Nixon’s fifth rushing touchdown of the season, but his first since a 34-20 loss at Kansas State on Sept. 27.
UCF’s defense stepped up on West Virginia’s next possession as Kelly ripped the football out of Wilkins’ hands on a 3rd-and-8 and the ball bounced into the hands of linebacker Keli Lawson, who raced 32 yards for a touchdown.
It was the first fumble recovery for a touchdown since the North Carolina A&T game on Sept. 6.
Nixon added an 83-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter.
Kicker Noe Ruelas connected on a 51-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Backup quarterback Davi Belfort scored on a 10-yard run late.
The Knights were without quarterback Cam Fancher, who was listed as out on the Big 12 player availability report following his second start of the season at Cincinnati. Fancher finished with 330 yards of total offense in a 20-11 loss to the Bearcats.
It was Jackson’s fifth start of the season.
Backup Jacurri Brown, who was listed as questionable earlier in the week, was available. He missed the Cincinnati and Kansas games while recovering from a strained AC joint against Kansas State on Sept. 27.
This was as close to a must-win situation for UCF if it had hoped to achieve bowl eligibility this season. Entering this weekend, ESPN’s Football Power Index had the Knights with a 63.5% chance of reaching six wins for bowl eligibility.
According to ESPN’s matchup predictor, the Knights were favored against West Virginia (72%), Houston (60.1%) and Oklahoma State (92.1%).
UCF has an off week before traveling to Baylor on Nov. 1.
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.
