UCF falls to Kansas State 34-20 in Big 12 opener
MANHATTAN, Kan. — UCF’s return to Big 12 play came with a harsh reminder that turnovers, penalties and a banged-up quarterback room are a brutal combination, especially on the road.
The Knights dropped their conference opener and first game of the 2025 season, falling 34-20 to Kansas State on Saturday afternoon in front of 53,013 fans at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The loss also marked the end of a remarkable 16-game winning streak under head coach Scott Frost, a run that had stretched back to his first UCF tenure in 2016-17.
Kansas State, who came in with a 1-3 record and last in the Big 12 in rushing offense, took full advantage of UCF’s miscues and injuries to snap their own two-game skid.
Despite racking up 402 yards of offense, UCF (3-1, 0-1 Big 12) turned the ball over three times, missed on both of its fourth-down attempts, and committed six penalties for 45 yards. Kansas State (2-3, 1-1) was more efficient, converting 6 of 14 third downs, going 4-for-4 in the red zone, and controlling the clock for 32:09.
Defensive start, but not much finish
UCF’s defense opened the day in strong form. After the Wildcats drove to the edge of the red zone on their first possession, Demari Henderson read a trick play perfectly—picking off a double pass from tight end Linkon Cure and returning it to the 8-yard line. It was Henderson’s first interception since the 2023 Gasparilla Bowl and the first for UCF on an opponent’s opening drive since Deshawn Pace’s pick against Colorado last September.
A few series later, defensive end Malachi Lawrence tracked down Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson for a sack-fumble on fourth down—part of a first quarter in which UCF held the Wildcats scoreless and limited them to just 40 passing yards and 2.0 yards per carry.
But Kansas State adjusted and began leaning on their run game, eventually rushing for 266 yards—the most allowed by UCF since that same Gasparilla Bowl loss to Georgia Tech. Dylan Edwards, who had just 18 carries on the season entering Saturday, exploded for a career-high 166 yards, including a back-breaking 75-yard touchdown late in the third quarter.
Quarterback carousel: Brown debuts, Jackson returns
Tayven Jackson started the game but went down in the second quarter after a hard fall on his non-throwing shoulder. After being taken to the locker room and later seen in a sling, it appeared his day was done.
That’s when Miami transfer Jacurri Brown stepped in for his first extended action as a Knight. Brown’s debut was a rollercoaster: his first pass was intercepted by safety Gunner Maldonado, setting up a short Kansas State touchdown drive. But he bounced back on the next possession with a strike to DJ Black, who raced 82 yards for the Knights’ first score. It was the longest UCF touchdown reception since Doug Gabriel’s 83-yarder in 2001 and the 8th-longest in school history.
Late in the third quarter, in a surprise twist, Jackson returned, removing the sling and re-entering the game despite an acromioclavicular (AC) joint sprain. He finished 12 of 24 for 115 yards and his first interception of the season, snapping a streak of 100 consecutive passes without a pick.
Ground game shines in spurts
While Kansas State had the edge in rushing, UCF had their own explosive moments. Myles Montgomery notched his first 100-yard rushing day in a Knights uniform, totaling 119 yards on 10 carries, including a 45-yard scamper to start the second half.
Jaden Nixon added his third straight game with a touchdown, slicing through the Wildcats’ front for a 54-yard score late in the third quarter. He also finished with 67 yards on five carries.
UCF finished with 205 yards on the ground, averaging 6.2 yards per carry—though 156 of those yards came on just four plays. The remaining 29 rushing attempts yielded only 49 yards.
Key missed chances
UCF had several chances to swing momentum but came up short in critical moments. They failed to convert both of their fourth-down attempts, including a key fourth-and-1 at the Kansas State 21 in the third quarter when Brown was stuffed and fumbled.
Jackson had a chance to cut it to a one-score game late in the fourth, but his pass on 4th-and-5 to Duane Thomas Jr. was broken up by Maldonado.
The Knights did manage to cash in on two second-half field goals from Noe Ruelas—one from 53 yards (third-longest in school history) and another from 40 yards to briefly cut the deficit to 31-20.
Anthony Venneri also delivered a solid punting day, averaging 45.2 yards on four attempts with three inside the 20.
Notes and numbers
- UCF is now 0-3 all-time in games played at Kansas State.
- The Knights fell to 2-8 in Big 12 road games since joining the league in 2023.
- DJ Black’s 82-yard reception was his first career touchdown.
- Jackson’s return marked the first time since 2022 that UCF had to play two quarterbacks in the same game due to injury.
- The team honored late offensive line coach Shawn Clark by wearing a special helmet decal. Clark passed away last Sunday at age 50.
Up next
UCF (3-1, 0-1 Big 12) returns home for a Saturday night showdown with Kansas (3-2, 1-1) at the Bounce House. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
