Final Score: Kansas 27, UCF 20
October 4, 2025 | Acrisure Bounce House | Orlando, Florida
The UCF Knights (3-2, 0-2 Big 12) suffered their second consecutive conference loss Saturday night, falling 27-20 to the Kansas Jayhawks (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) in a game that saw a promising start turn into a frustrating finish on a soggy evening at the Bounce House.
First Half Dominance
The Knights came out firing on all cylinders. Cole Kozlowski set the tone early with his first sack of the season on Kansas’s opening drive, and UCF’s defense kept the Jayhawks off the scoreboard in the first quarter—a remarkable feat considering Kansas entered the game having scored 63 first-quarter points this season, one of the best marks in FBS.
Senior running back Myles Montgomery was the story of the first half, breaking through for a 29-yard touchdown run to put UCF up 7-0 midway through the opening quarter. Montgomery struck again early in the second quarter for his second score of the night, extending the Knights’ lead to 14-0. The senior tailback rushed for 110 yards on the night, recording back-to-back 100-yard games for the first time in his collegiate career.
Despite outgaining Kansas 375-356 in total yards and racking up nearly 200 rushing yards, UCF took a 17-14 lead into halftime after Kansas mounted a comeback with two scoring drives. A 38-yard field goal from Noe Ruelas just before the break gave the Knights some breathing room at 20-14.
Second Half Collapse
The momentum completely shifted after halftime. Kansas came out with renewed energy, holding UCF scoreless while scoring on consecutive drives—both resulting in field goals—to tie the game at 20 with four minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Then came the game’s pivotal moment: a costly fumble by quarterback Tayven Jackson on UCF’s own seven-yard line handed Kansas prime field position. The Jayhawks capitalized immediately, taking their first lead of the game at 27-20 late in the third quarter.
Jackson, who completed 14 of 23 passes for 97 yards, left the game after the turnover and was later seen with his left arm in a sling. Head coach Scott Frost confirmed that X-rays on Jackson’s shoulder were negative, though the injury adds to UCF’s growing quarterback concerns.
Valiant Fourth Quarter Effort Falls Short
Backup quarterback Cam Fancher, who started UCF’s season opener before suffering his own injury, provided a spark after entering the game late in the third quarter. Fancher completed 8 of 14 passes for 79 yards and led the offense on a late drive that had Knights fans on their feet.
The senior signal-caller connected with Waden Charles for an 18-yard strike down the left sideline for a crucial first down, and the Knights drove all the way to the Kansas one-yard line with a chance to tie the game. But in heartbreaking fashion, UCF couldn’t punch it in. Kansas’s defense held firm on three consecutive plays from the one-yard line with under two minutes remaining, preserving the seven-point victory.
The Penalty Problem
Six costly penalties, including three in the final quarter, proved to be UCF’s undoing. The flags consistently stalled drives at critical moments, while Kansas went a perfect 4-for-4 in the red zone, showcasing the efficiency difference that ultimately decided the game.
“This team is good enough to win some of these games, and we just have to be much better in all phases, and more consistent,” said head coach Scott Frost after the game.
Wide receiver Duane Thomas Jr., who made several key plays in the passing game, echoed his coach’s sentiments: “I think we’re one of the most talented teams in the Big 12, we’ve just got to finish. We have to play a complete football game.”
Defensive Bright Spots
Despite the loss, UCF’s defense continued its impressive trend of shutting down opponents in the first quarter, remaining one of only three teams in the FBS to hold every opponent scoreless in the opening frame this season. The unit outplayed its yardage totals but couldn’t overcome the turnovers and penalties that plagued the team.
Looking Ahead
The Knights now sit at 0-2 in Big 12 play and will look to bounce back when they travel to face Cincinnati on Saturday, October 11, with kickoff set for noon on FS1. With uncertainty at the quarterback position and consecutive losses to conference opponents, UCF will need to clean up the mistakes and find a way to play complete football if they hope to salvage their conference season.
For a team that outgained and outperformed Kansas statistically for much of the night, this loss will sting. The Knights have shown they can compete with anyone in the Big 12—they just need to prove they can finish.