Coming off a bye week, the UCF Football team (4-4, 1-4 Big 12) got off to a slow start and could never find its offensive footing on Saturday as it fell, 30-3, to the Baylor Bears (5-4, 3-3 Big 12) in its first trip to McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas.
The hosts scored on their first four possessions on a pair of touchdown passes in the first quarter and two field goals in the second quarter in building a 20-0 lead.
The Knights sputtered on offense, and even when they did get drives going, penalties would slow down the progress and twice, the Black and Gold turned the ball over on downs.
UCF was finally able to get on the board on a 45-yard field goal from Noe Ruelas as time expired in the first half after a Malachi Lawrence strip sack of Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson was recovered by Derrick LeBlanc and returned 13 yards to set up the scoring opportunity.
Momentum, or relief after finally scoring, gained from the field goal did not carry over to the second half as the Knights failed to find pay dirt over the final 30 minutes.
The Black and Gold were held to just 225 yards of total offense with quarterback Tayven Jackson completing 18-of-33 passes for 151-yards, but also threw a pair of interceptions.
Myles Montgomery led UCF rushers with 50-yards on 12 attempts, while eight receivers caught passes, led by Duane Thomas Jr., who caught eight balls for 77-yards.
Linebacker Cole Kozlowski had a big second half to again lead the locals in tackles with 11, five solo, but it was Lawrence who was a standout on defense, recording two sacks, three tackles for loss and multiple quarterback pressures. Lawrence entered the contest 13th in the nation among active sack leaders and slotted in second in the Big 12. The game marked the second consecutive with Lawrence recorded two sacks.
Seminole High graduate Demari Henderson also had a good day with six tackles, five solo, while Lake Mary’s Braeden Marshall made three tackles, two solo.
Up Next:
The Knights will have a short week, returning home to play No. 22 Houston in the annual Space Game on Friday at 8 p.m. at the Acrisure Bounce House. The game will be broadcast nationally by FS1.
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 6 p.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’s the box score:
Baylor (5-4, 3-3) 30, UCF (4-4, 1-4) 3
UCF 0 3 0 0 _ 3
Baylor 14 6 3 7 _ 30
First Quarter
BAY _ Michael Trigg 13 pass from Sawyer Robertson (Connor Hawkins kick).
BAY _ Josh Cameron 2 pass from Sawyer Robertson (Connor Hawkins kick).
Second Quarter
BAY _ Connor Hawkins 40 FG.
BAY _ Connor Hawkins 28 FG.
UCF _ Noe Ruelas 45 FG.
Third Quarter
BAY _ Connor Hawkins 41 FG.
Fourth Quarter
BAY _ Kole Wilson 9 pass from Sawyer Robertson (Connor Hawkins kick).
Seminole’s Khamani Robinson helps Wildcats win
Bethune-Cookman Football capped off a perfect undefeated season at home with a 42-34 win over Mississippi Valley State, Saturday evening at Daytona Stadium.
The Wildcats (5-4, 4-1 SWAC) took a quick 14-0 lead and the Delta Devils (1-7, 0-4 SWAC) would get no closer than seven points the rest of the way, although they would keep the hosts honest, never falling behind by more than 15 points.
Khamni Robinson, a freshman from Seminole High School, had a big hand in the victory, rushing for a co-game-high 55 yards on 12 carries, including a 19-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Another Seminole High grad, senior defensive back Johnny Harris III, made three solo tackles on the day.
Next Up:
B-CU will head to Grambing, Louisiana, to face Grambling State University on Saturday at 3 p.m. The game will be available on SWAC TV and AM Radio 1380 WELE.
Stetson set to return
Stetson (3-6, 2-3 Pioneer Football League) will return from a bye week and will travel to Poughkeepsie, N.Y., to face Marist at Tenney Stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m., with coverage available on ESPN+.
