Quarterback Cam Fancher threw for 222-yards and ran for 118-yards and a touchdown, but it was not enough as UCF could not overcome a 17-0 deficit late in the first half in falling to host Cincinnati, 20-11, at Nippert Stadium on Saturday.
Despite outgaining the powerful Bearcats (5-1, 3-0 in Big 12), 413-yards-to-306, and running 90 plays to just 48 for the hosts, the Knights (3-3, 0-3) could not complete drives as the guests were hit with 10 penalties for 75-yards.
Despite the frustration on offense, the defense produced another encouraging display, limiting Cincinnati to just 115 total rushing yards, well below its season average of 205.2 per game. None of the Bearcats’ three rushers eclipsed 50 yards on the afternoon.
The 20 points also represented a departure from the norm for the second highest-scoring offense in the Big 12 (39.2 per game) thus far, as it was limited to 20 or fewer points for just the second time in its first six games this season.
Senior Phillip Dunnam led the way defensively with a team-high seven tackles and was joined by Nyjalik Kelly and Lewis Carter, both of whom recorded six, while Sanford’s Demari Henderson (Seminole High) made three stops and Lake Mary’s Braeden Marshall added a tackle to help hold the Bearcats to their second fewest total yards in a game this season (306).
The Black and Gold finally found its way into the end zone on its penultimate drive of the day, a 19-play, 90-yard march that was highlighted by a 4th and 12 conversion via a tipped pass from Fancher that was ultimately caught by junior tight end Dylan Wade (5-receptions, 55-yards), after Fancher narrowly escaped a would-be drive-ending sack.
After a defensive pass interference flag in the red zone on another 4th down attempt once again extended UCF’s drive, Fancher (28-for-49 passing, 222-yards, 10-carries, 118-yards) scored his first Knights touchdown with a three-yard scamper into the end zone. A pass to Chris Domercant on the two-point try punctuated the Black and Gold’s offensive exploits.
Up Next:
The Knights look to end their three-game skid at home against West Virginia on Saturday. Kickoff for UCF’s homecoming matchup is set for 1 p.m. from Acrisure Bounce House and will be broadcast on TNT.
The contest will also be carried on the radio on AM740/FM 96.9 The Game (Play-by-Play _ Marc Daniels; Analyst _ Gary Parris; Reporter _ Scott Adams), with the pregame show starting at 11 a.m., and Spanish Radio: UCFKnights.com, YouTube.com/UCFKnights.
Live Stats will be available at _ UCFKnights.com (https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=605186) _ and if you would like to comment, use Twitter _ @UCF_Football _ under the Hashtag _ #ChargeOn.
Here is the box score:
Cincinnati 20, UCF 11
UCF (3-3, 0-3 BIG 12) 0 3 0 8 _ 11
Cincinnati (5-1, 3-0 Big 12) 7 10 0 3 _ 20
First Quarter
CIN _ Jeff Caldwell 40 pass from Brendan Sorsby (Stephen Rusnak kick).
Second Quarter
CIN _ Jeff Caldwell 9 pass from Brendan Sorsby (Stephen Rusnak kick).
CIN _ Stephen Rusnak 32 FG.
UCF _ Noe Ruelas 45 FG.
Third Quarter
No scoring.
Fourth Quarter
CIN _ Stephen Rusnak 24 FG.
UCF _ Cam Fancher 3 run (Chris Domercant pass from Fancher).
Stetson holds off Moorehead State
Stetson followed up last week's record-breaking performance with another dominant effort on the ground, rushing for 242 yards and two touchdowns to defeat Morehead State, 21-14, on Saturday afternoon at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium.
The Hatters, which led 21-0 after three quarters, improved to 3-4 overall and 2-1 in Pioneer Football League play, marking their first back-to-back conference victories since 2019. The Eagles fell to 2-5 and 0-3.
Just one week removed from setting a program record with 384 rushing yards in their win over Davidson, Stetson continued to impose its will in the run game. Quarterback Chris Stephenson led the way with 106 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries while also completing 9-of-17 passes for 93 yards and a score. Sanford’s Trey Clark (Seminole High) added 71 rushing yards, and Cayden Betts chipped in 35 yards and a touchdown. Through the air, Michael Dempsey paced the receiving corps with three catches for 41 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown grab in the fourth quarter.
The Hatters' defense once again set the tone, forcing two interceptions and limiting the Eagles to just 99 rushing yards. Justin Rodriguez and Shug Bentley each came up with picks, with Rodriguez returning his for 25 yards. Bentley also recorded five tackles and two pass breakups, while Trey Lockhart led the team with eight tackles. Kyle Elphick tallied a sack and a tackle for loss in the win.
Stetson outgained Morehead State 335-282, including a 242-99 edge on the ground, and held possession for nearly 36 minutes. The 14 points allowed marked the fewest given up to a conference opponent since 2021.
Next Up:
Stetson travels to Clinton, S.C., to face Presbyterian in PFL action at Bailey Memorial Stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
Bethune-Cookman pummels Southern
Cam'Ron Ransom passed for 254 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for one score as Bethune-Cookman (3-4, 2-1 SWAC) defeated Southern University (1-5, 0-2 SWAC), 45-14, at Daytona Stadium in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) football game in Daytona Beach.
Rashon Brown led the Wildcats with 65 yards and a touchdown on the ground through nine carries. Alihaja Scott Jr. also added 49 yards and a score on the ground and a touchdown. Maleek Huggins had eight receptions for 92 yards, as Rickie Shaw II and Lorenzo Jenkins had a touchdown receiving each.
Sanford’s Timmy McClain (Seminole High, USF, UCF) came off the bench to complete 3-of-3 passes for 17 yards and carried the ball six times for 44 yards.
On defense, the Maroon and Gold were paced by Stephen Sparrow with six tackles (three solo). Jaylen Lewis had four tackles (three assisted) and Sanford’s Johnny Harris III (Seminole High) had a tackle.
Up Next:
Bethune-Cookman is idle this week and will return to Daytona Beach to host Arkansas-Pine Bluff for a B-CU Homecoming 2K25 on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 3 p.m.
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