UCF offense stalls in 30-3 loss at Baylor

WACO, Texas — UCF’s road struggles continued Saturday as the Knights fell flat in a 30-3 defeat at Baylor, failing to find the end zone for the first time in a decade and watching the Bears dominate from start to finish at McLane Stadium.

Baylor’s fast start puts UCF behind the 8-ball

Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson, the nation’s leader in passing yards entering the weekend, threw for 267 yards and three touchdowns on 29-of-40 passing while guiding the Bears (5-4, 3-3 Big 12) to scores on each of their first two possessions.

The Bears’ opening 11-play, 75-yard drive ended with a 13-yard touchdown strike to tight end Michael Trigg, marking the first time this season an opponent scored on UCF’s opening defensive series. Baylor doubled its lead minutes later when Robertson found Josh Cameron for a 2-yard touchdown, capitalizing on a short field after a quick UCF three-and-out.

The 14-point opening quarter was the most UCF (4-4, 1-4 Big 12) has allowed in any first quarter this season, matching the Knights’ total yield in the first quarters of their previous seven games combined.

Offense sputters, penalties pile up

The Knights’ best first-half scoring opportunity came on their second drive, when Myles Montgomery sparked momentum with a 17-yard burst and Tayven Jackson scrambled for nine to reach the Baylor 13. But UCF once again came up short in short-yardage situations—an ongoing issue this season. Montgomery was stopped inches shy of the first-down marker on third-and-1, and Jackson’s play-action fourth-down throw sailed incomplete over Connor Meadows, a backup offensive tackle who had reported eligible at tight end.

That early failure set the tone for the rest of the day. UCF converted only 1-of-11 third downs and went 0-for-3 on fourth, finishing with just 225 total yards on 56 plays—an average of 4.0 yards per snap

The Knights’ eight penalties for 50 yards often sabotaged what little momentum they generated.

Defensive highlights amid the struggles

Despite the lopsided score, Malachi Lawrence provided a bright spot for UCF’s defense. The senior edge rusher, who entered the game second in the Big 12 in sacks, recorded two more along with three tackles for loss and a forced fumble late in the second quarter. That strip sack of Robertson, recovered by Derrick LeBlanc and returned 13 yards, set up Noe Ruelas’ 45-yard field goal as time expired in the half—UCF’s only points of the game.

Linebacker Cole Kozlowski again led the Knights in tackles with 11, continuing his steady production since transferring from Colgate. Still, Baylor amassed 417 total yards, including 150 on the ground, paced by running back Caden Knighten’s 104-yard effort on 21 carries.

Missed chances

Trailing 20-3 at halftime, UCF opened the third quarter with a promising drive extended by a pass interference call, but Ruelas’ 53-yard attempt missed wide right. Baylor answered with a 13-play, 42-yard march capped by a 41-yard Connor Hawkins field goal, and any comeback hopes faded from there. Robertson later connected with Kole Wilson for a 9-yard touchdown midway through the fourth to seal the 30-3 final.

The loss marked UCF’s first game without a touchdown since Nov. 26, 2015, a 44-3 defeat at South Florida that capped an 0-12 season. The Knights’ 121-game streak with at least one touchdown came to an unceremonious end nearly ten years later.

Quarterback Tayven Jackson completed 18 of 33 passes for 151 yards and two interceptions, while Montgomery led all rushers with 50 yards on 12 carries. Duane Thomas Jr. was the most reliable target, hauling in eight receptions for 77 yards.

Space Game next Friday

Now at 4-4 overall and 1-4 in Big 12 play, the Knights remain winless in three road games this season and have lost 11 of their last 14 away from the Bounce House since joining the conference. UCF will have a short week to regroup before returning home for its annual Space Game against Houston on Friday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. on FS1.

UCF has never lost a Space Game since introducing the tradition in 2017, boasting an 8-0 record with an average victory margin of more than 30 points. The Knights will need every ounce of that energy and magic to reignite their bowl hopes after their most humbling performance of the Scott Frost 2.0 era.