ORLANDO — All UCF, all the time.
Except for an offensive lull in the second period, the host Knights (4-3, 1-3 in Big 12) dominated in every phase of its Homecoming Game in breaking a 3-game losing streak and claiming their first Big 12 victory with a 45-13 thumping of West Virginia (2-5, 0-4) on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at the Acrisure Bounce House.
The contest also saw UCF break a 9-game losing streak in October dating back to 2022.
Back in the starting line-up after missing last week with an injury, quarterback Tayven Jackson threw two long fourth down touchdown passes of 40- and 34-yards to Chris Domercant (5-catches, 89-yards) on the Black-and-Gold’s first two possessions as the hosts scored enough points to win the game.
The Knights’ offense would stall for the rest of the half, with two turnovers on downs and two punts, but huge third quarter (three touchdowns) turned the game into a rout. Overall the UCF offense was impressive with four drives of over 72-yards or better, including one of 97-yards and another of 92-yards.
Jackson would not throw another scoring strike, but finished the game 23-of-34 passes for 277 yards and the two scores to go with an interception, with 10 different receivers catching passes, with nine of the completions going for more than 15-yards.
The running game wasn't bad either, as Jaden Nixon ran for 116-yards on just seven carries and two touchdowns, including an 83-yard gallop, and Miles Montgomery added 88-yards on 14 carries, including a 39-yard run, as the Knights racked up 255-yards on 35 attempts, including six rushes of 10-yards or more, giving the winners 578-yards of total offense.
Not to be outdone, the defense held the Mountaineers to 265-yards of total offense, had eight quarterback sacks and eight tackles for loss, and forced two fumbles, one of which led to a 32-yard scoop and score by Kelli Lawson.
In fact, this could have been a shutout as both of West Virginia’s scores came on short drives following a failed fourth down turnover and an interception.
And let’s not forget the Special Teams as placekicker Noe Ruelas converted on six PAT’s (point after touchdown) and buried a 51-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
In addition to Domercant, Caleb Rollerson caught two passes for 59 yards, Duane Thomas Jr. had four receptions for 44 yards, Waden Charles had three catches for 40 yards and Dylan Wade also had three receptions for 33 yards.
Defensively, middle linebacker Cole Kozlowski had a monster game with 11 tackles, eight solo, and a quarterback sack, defensive end Nyjalik Kelly had eight tackles, five solo, a quarterback sack and a forced fumble, defensive tackle John Williams had seven tackles, five solo, a quarterback sack and a force fumble and safety Demari Henderson, a Seminole High grad, had six tackles, five solo, and a pass break up.
Sanford’s Ja’Cari Henderson also had a solo tackle as did Lake Mary’s Braeden Marshall, who also had a pass break up.
Up Next:
UCF will have its second bye week of the season next week before heading to Waco, Texas, on Saturday, November 1, to face Baylor at McLane Stadium.
Here is the box score:
UCF 45, WEST VIRGINIA 13
First Quarter
UCF _ Chris Domercant 40 pass from Tayven Jackson,Tayven (Noe Ruelas kick).
UCF _ Chris Domercant 34 pass from Tayven Jackson (Noe Ruelas kick).
Second Quarter
WVU _ Khalil Wilkins 6 run (Kade Hensley kick).
Third Quarter
UCF _ Jaden Nixon 12 run (Noe Ruelas kick).
UCF _ Keli Lawson 32 fumble recovery (Noe Ruelas kick).
UCF _ Jaden Nixon 83 run (Noe Ruelas kick).
Fourth Quarter
UCF _ Noe Ruelas 51 FG.
UCF _ Davi Belfort 10 run (Noe Ruelas kick).
WVU _ Dior Hubbard 1 run (kick failed).
Stetson falls on road to #19 Presbyterian
The Stetson Hatters fell 42-7 to the nationally-ranked No. 19 Presbyterian Blue Hose on Saturday afternoon at Bailey Memorial Stadium in Clinton, S.C.
The Blue Hose remained undefeated on the season, improving to 7-0 overall and 3-0 in Pioneer Football League play, while Stetson dropped to 3-5 and 2-2 in conference.
Sanford’s Trey Clark carried the ball six ties for 18 yards, including a 10-yard blast, an caught one pass for two yards.
Next Up:
The Hatters return home next weekend to host St. Thomas on Saturday at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium. The Homecoming matchup, presented by Watson Realty, is set for a 1 p.m. kickoff and will air live on ESPN+.
Bethune-Cookman takes a breather
Bethune-Cookman (3-4 overall, 2-1 SWAC) was idle last week and will return to Larry Kelly Field at Daytona Stadium to host Arkansas-Pine Bluff for a B-CU Homecoming 2K25 on Saturday at 3 p.m.
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