In perhaps one of the most hotly-contested quarterback competitions since the 2014 season, UCF named Cam Fancher the starter for the season opener against Jacksonville State on Thursday night.
What he brings to the offense is experience — plenty of it.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound redshirt senior has appeared in 34 games with 26 starts over four seasons.
While Fancher is the most experienced of the three quarterbacks, something that coaches praised throughout fall camp, it was also his football IQ that impressed everyone as well.
“Cam brings a bunch of game experience and a bunch of head knowledge,” said quarterbacks coach McKenzie Milton. “Sometimes, he’s coaching me up on plays.”
“He’s a quick learner,” added offensive coordinator Steve Cooper. “He does a really good job of managing the huddle and managing the operations. That’s a major benefit for him and one of his strengths. We lean into that and he’s been a really nice benefit for the quarterback room.”
The 22-year-old started nine games at FAU last season, allowing former Owls teammate Jayden Williams to have a better understanding of Fancher.
“Cam’s probably a more vocal guy here,” Williams said. “The other guys in the quarterback room have helped him become more of a leader.”
Could the Knights play multiple quarterbacks vs. the Gamecocks?
Even though Fancher will start the game against the Gamecocks doesn’t necessarily mean that he will be the only quarterback that sees action Thursday night.
“If the situation arises, we may get some other guys in,” Frost said when asked about the status of Tayven Jackson and Jacurri Brown. “We might even have a plan for that. But right now, it’s Cam’s show.”
Frost previously mentioned that while he’s not opposed to using two quarterbacks, stating he’s open to doing whatever gives the team the best chance to win.
“Playing two is hard and I don’t think rotating three is probably something that’s very likely,” Frost said about playing multiple quarterbacks.
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Brown previously was used as a situational quarterback at times last season under Gus Malzahn, running plays inside the opponent’s red zone. Whether Frost & Co. choose to utilize his speed in a similar role remains to be seen.
Did the decision to play Fancher impact any position battles?
When asked whether Fancher’s promotion would impact any position battles on the roster, Frost said all decisions were made independent of each other.
“It would be a crime for me to play somebody in a different spot or a different person because of the outcome of a different position race,” Frost said. “There will be several spots where multiple people get to play and we’re going to have a rotation, but we’re settled in pretty well.”
Wide receiver and offensive line were two positions that were mentioned as possibly being impacted by the arrival of the left-handed quarterback, however Frost indicated that wasn’t the case.
What position showed real growth in fall camp?
Receiver was one of the greatest unknowns facing the Knights this fall camp with little-to-no experience among the group.
“Every position had battles and the receiver group really had to grow again,” said Frost. “Not because we don’t have talent there but because we don’t have a lot of game experience in production there.
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“I’ve seen a tremendous amount of growth from those guys and I feel like we’re deep there and can play quite a few guys. You’ll see a lot of different guys out there Thursday and they’re all going to get their chance to make an impact.”
How is the team’s overall health heading into the opener?
Frost expects the Knights to be pretty close to full strength when they face the Gamecocks.
“A lot of credit to our training staff and our strength and conditioning staff,” said Frost. “I look at a injury report every week and we don’t have a lot of guys on there so we’re going to be pretty close to full strength, minus a couple guys. Otherwise, it’s all hands on deck.”
Freshman tight end Caden Piening and freshman running back Taevion Swint are among several players who won’t be available for Thursday’s opener.
Piening has been bothered by a soft tissue issue that’s limited him throughout the second half of fall camp. Swint, meanwhile, is rehabbing from surgery he had recently for a meniscus tear.
UCF will also be without receiver Day Day Farmer and offensive lineman Justin Royes, who suffered season-ending injuries in spring camp.
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.
Up next
UCF vs. Jacksonville State
When: Thursday, 7 p.m., Acrisure Bounce House Stadium
TV: ESPN+
