Kansas rallies past UCF, 27–20, as injuries and missed chances doom Knights

ORLANDO — What began as a promising Big 12 home debut for UCF turned into another second-half collapse as the Knights let a 14-point lead slip away, falling 27–20 to visiting Kansas on Saturday night at the Acrisure Bounce House.

It marked UCF’s second consecutive loss, dropping the Knights to 0-2 in Big 12 play and extending their conference losing streak to five games dating back to last season.

To compound matters, UCF may now be without starting quarterback Tayven Jackson, who exited late in the third quarter with an apparent left arm injury, the same shoulder he sprained a week earlier at Kansas State. Jackson did not return after fumbling deep in his own territory, a miscue that directly set up the Jayhawks’ go-ahead touchdown.

Fast Start: Montgomery sparks early momentum

For the second straight week, running back Myles Montgomery set the tone early. The redshirt senior ripped through Kansas’ defense on UCF’s opening possession, carrying four times for 48 yards and finishing the drive with a 29-yard touchdown run up the middle. He struck again at the start of the second quarter, barreling in from three yards out to put UCF ahead 14-0.

Montgomery finished with 110 rushing yards on 22 carries, his second consecutive 100-yard game, the first time he’s hit that milestone in back-to-back contests during his college career.

UCF outgained Kansas 253–154 in the first half, including 162 yards on the ground. Jaden Nixon added 60 yards on just seven carries, including a 46-yard burst that set up a field goal later in the half.

Kansas chips away, ties it, and takes the lead

Despite UCF’s early control, Kansas settled in during the second quarter behind veteran quarterback Jalon Daniels and tailback Leshon Williams. The Jayhawks responded to Montgomery’s second score with back-to-back touchdown drives of 75 yards apiece, both capped by Williams short touchdown runs.

The Knights extended the lead, 20-14, on a 38-yard field goal by Noe Ruelas just before halftime, but UCF would never score again.

Kansas opened the second half with a pair of field goals — from 33 and 41 yards out — to tie the game at 20 with just over four minutes left in the third quarter. Then came the pivotal sequence.

Backed up deep in UCF territory after a penalty on a kickoff return, Jackson was sacked on third down by Kansas safety Jalen Dye. The ball popped loose, and linebacker Trey Lathan scooped it up at the 7-yard line, returning it to the 2. One play later, Williams found the end zone for the third time, giving Kansas its first lead of the night at 27-20

Jackson left the field holding his left arm close to his body and returned to the sideline with it in a sling. Frost confirmed afterward that X-rays were negative, but gave no timeline on his status moving forward.

Fourth-quarter heartbreak

With Jackson sidelined, Cam Fancher took over and helped engineer two promising drives late in the fourth quarter, but both stalled agonizingly short.

The first drive, which began at UCF’s own 46 with 7:36 remaining, pushed deep into Kansas territory behind completions to Chris Domercant, DJ Black and Waden Charles. UCF faced first-and-goal at the 1-yard line with just under two minutes remaining. Montgomery was stopped twice and Fancher was stuffed on third down. On fourth-and-one, Fancher tried again but was denied at the goal line.

UCF got the ball back one final time with 1:28 left, starting at their own 47. Fancher completed a first down pass to Kylan Fox, but four straight incompletions ended the final threat.

Fancher, in his first action since Week 1, went 8-of-14 for 79 yards and added 23 rushing yards. Jackson was 14-of-23 for 97 yards before exiting.

Key Stats and Notes

UCF outgained Kansas in total yards (375 to 356), rushing yards (199 to 121), and first downs (21 to 15)

Kansas went a perfect 4-for-4 in red zone scoring. UCF was 3-of-4.

The Knights shut out another opponent in the first quarter, extending their streak to five straight games without allowing a first-quarter point.

UCF was penalized six times for 45 yards, including two drive-killing flags in the fourth quarter.

Injury Woes Mount

Jackson wasn’t the only player dealing with injury. Backup QB Jacurri Brown was ruled out prior to kickoff after aggravating a shoulder injury sustained a week ago. Defensive tackle Horace Lockett is out for the season following pectoral surgery. Tight end Dylan Wade returned from a shoulder injury but had limited impact.

Up Next

UCF (3-2, 0-2 Big 12) hits the road for another conference clash against Cincinnati (4-1, 2-0) next Saturday, Oct. 11. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET on FS1.