ORLANDO — Bethune-Cookman quarterback Timmy McClain came up with some late-game magic, as the Wildcats defeated bitter-rival Florida A&M in a thriller at Camping World Stadium. With just :22 second remaining, there Seminole High graduate and former UCF signal caller was able to find Josh Evans wide open down the sideline for a 41-yard touchdown to retake the lead and steal the 38-34 victory.
This was after the Rattlers had climbed all the way back from a 24-9 halftime deficit. The Wildcats' win gives them their first Florida Blue Florida Classic win since 2019, snapping a five-game skid in the series.
Bethune-Cookman (6-6, 5-3 SWAC) did not get off to the start they were hoping for as Florida A&M (5-6, 4-3) was able to force a fumble by McClain and take over deep in B-CU territory. The Wildcats defense held strong, as Isaiah Washburn picked up two sacks to hold Rattlers to a field goal.
B-CU got it going offensively on the next drive as McClain found Lorenzo Jenkins for a 25-yard touchdown to take the lead 7-3.
The Wildcats then forced a Rattlers' three-and-out and began driving the ball down field again heading into the second quarter.
B-CU got the ball inside the red zone, but were held to a field goal, giving them a 10-3 edge.
After both teams exchanged punts, the Wildcats got the ball at the 50-yard line following a 21-yard return by Maleek Huggins. On the first play of the drive, Khamani Robinson, a freshman from Seminole High School, took the ball to the house, giving his team the 17-3 advantage.
FAMU came up with a big play on the following drive as RJ Johnson threw a touchdown pass to Armand Burris, however, the Rattlers missed the PAT, keeping the score at 17-9.
The Wildcats started their next drive at their own 16, but were able to drive all the way down the field for another score before half. McClain picked up his second touchdown pass, this time to Maleek Huggins, as B-CU took a 24-9 lead into the locker room.
The Rattlers were able to cut into the lead with the help of a pair of missed field goal attempts by the Wildcats and early in the fourth quarter, B-CU found itself down 27-24.
McClain responded almost immediately with a big play of his own. With 7:27 remaining, McClain threw a 67-yard touchdown to Javon Ross to retake the lead.
FAMU responded by driving down the field and scoring a touchdown with just 2:26 left.
The Wildcats never lost focus after letting the lead slip away. McClain helped B-CU overcome a 3rd-and-30, converting on 4th down to keep his team alive. On 4th-and-8 from the FAMU 41, McClain came up with the play of the season for the Wildcats. He found Josh Evans open down the sideline and he was able to run it in for the game-winning score.
McClain was named Co-Offensive Player of the Week by the Southwestern Athletic Conference, the league office announced Tuesday. This is his first weekly honor the season.
The Sanford native completed 22 of 34 passes for 274 yards and four touchdown passes.
Robinson finished with 90-yards on 11-carries and the touchdown, while a third SHS grad, senior Johnny Harris III, recorded four tackles, two solo, in his final college game.
ELECTRIC START CAN'T PROPEL FOOTBALL PAST #11 BYU, FALLING 41-21
PROVO, Utah — An electric start from the UCF football team wasn’t enough to fend off No. 11 BYU in the 2025 regular season finale, falling 41-21 on the road.
Year one of the second stint of the Scott Frost era had plenty of brilliant moments throughout the campaign, and the Black and Gold nearly added another in the 12th and final game of the season. The Knights got out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, looking sharp in doing so, in search of the program’s first win over a ranked opponent on the road since 2022.
UCF started on offense and converted an early 3rd and 4 as Tayven Jackson found Waden Charles for a quick 16-yard gain near midfield. Once again behind the chains on third down, Jackson was able to escape a collapsing pocket and find Duane Thomas Jr. The junior wide receiver scampered to the endzone, but a holding call brought the ball back out to the BYU 20. Unphased, UCF scored four plays later, as Dylan Wade was on the receiving end of his fifth touchdown of the season, setting UCF’s FBS single season receiving touchdowns record for a tight end.
The Knights’ confidence carried over to the defensive side of the ball in the opening frame, as Lewis Carter forced a fumble on BYU’s first play, forcing the Cougars to fall on it, but 10 yards behind the original line of scrimmage. The Black and Gold stood tall the next two plays, forcing a three-and-out to start their next drive from near midfield after a 21-yard return by Antione Jackson.
UCF needed just seven plays to take a 14-0 lead as Jackson found walk-on Agyeman Addae at the five-yard line before taking it to the house for his first career touchdown.
The Black and Gold’s final points came on third quarter drive, capping it with a successful trick play that saw Addae take a handoff from Jackson, who in turn ran a quick wheel route into the endzone for the touchdown. The Columbus High School product not only recorded the first rushing touchdown of his career but posted his first passing touchdown to add to his banner day.
Defensively, Seminole High School grad Demari Henderson had seven tackles, five solo, and a quarterback sack, while former Tribe teammate Kam Moore and Lake Mary’s Braeden Marshall both recorded a solo tackle.
UCF’s season comes to a close adding an additional victory compared to last season’s record. The Knights earned victories over a Bill Belichick-led North Carolina squad, North Carolina A&T and Jacksonville State to earn a perfect trip through the non-conference slate. Conference wins over West Virginia and Oklahoma State added to the tally, and the Knights were a few plays away from picking up another couple of victories. Year one of the second Frost stint offered a glimpse into what’s to come, going toe-to-toe with those in the Big 12 Conference.
The 2026 season includes five conference home games, hosting Arizona State, Baylor, BYU, Iowa State and TCU. Bethune-Cookman and Georgia State visit Orlando in the non-conference slate, which also includes UCF visiting Pitt. The Knights will visit Colorado, Houston, Kansas and Oklahoma State to complete the 12-game schedule.
The first step into preparing for that 2026 season comes on Wednesday, as UCF can announce its incoming freshman class as part of the early signing period, running Dec. 3-5.
