UCF Improves to 3-0 with 34-9 Victory Over North CarolinaUCF Improves to 3-0 with 34-9 Victory Over North Carolina

UCF Improves to 3-0 with 34-9 Victory Over North Carolina

by Franki Noble
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ORLANDO – In a game defined by control and execution, UCF’s steady offense and disruptive defense turned a much-anticipated showdown into a 34-9 statement win over North Carolina Saturday at Acrisure Bounce House in front of a sellout crowd and nationally-televised audience on FOX. 

The win moves UCF to 3-0 on the young season heading into their Big 12 opener next Saturday at Kansas State.

"I just have fun coaching here. There's pressure like anywhere else, but it's not the same. It allows me to be better because I can be free to care about the athletes and try to put them in the best position to be successful."

Scott FrostUCF Football Head Coach

Quarterback Tayven Jackson delivered a stellar performance, setting two personal bests. The redshirt junior steadied the offense while completing an efficient 25 of 32 passes for 223 yards. His 25 completions marked a new career high while also leading the team in rushing with a career-high 66 yards on the ground.

The Knights wasted no time setting the tone, continuing their trend of opening-drive excellence. Jackson orchestrated a 13-play, 75-yard march, accounting for 67 yards himself and finishing it off with a 13-yard rushing touchdown. It marked the second straight game the Black and Gold reached the end zone on their first possession.

On UNC’s opening drive, defensive tackle Horace Lockett swatted a pass from quarterback Gio Lopez at the line of scrimmage, and the deflection hung in the air just long enough for senior edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly to snag it one-handed, giving the Knights an early takeaway that led to a field goal. UCF’s defense has now held opponents scoreless on their opening possession in all three games this season.

"The play was caught, Horace Lockett was great with the pressure, slapped it and it just landed in my hands. I knew I had to catch it for a big play to get the offense back on the field to possibly get points."

Nyjalik KellyUCF Defensive End

The interception marked Kelly’s first career pick and set up kicker Noe Ruelas, who converted a 36-yard field goal to match his season long. Minutes later, he topped that with a 41-yarder, pushing the Knights’ lead to 13-0.

The defense remained dominant in the opening half, keeping the Tar Heels out of UCF territory until just 7:30 remained in the second quarter. When UNC finally threatened, advancing to the Knights’ 12-yard line, the secondary held firm. Defensive back Braeden Marshall intercepted a tipped pass by Jayden Bellamy, his first of the season, to deny the Tar Heels again.

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UCF capitalized quickly. Just over a minute later, Jackson, who hit nine different receivers on the night, connected with sophomore Kylan Fox for a 17-yard touchdown — the first of Fox’s collegiate career. The 83-yard drive, aided by timely Tar Heel penalties, capped a 1:04 burst and sent the Knights into halftime with a commanding 20-3 lead.

And the Knights stayed sharp after the break. Running back Myles Montgomery powered in his first touchdown of the season from close range, stretching the margin to 27-3.

The defense held strong well into the second half, maintaining its streak of not allowing a first-half touchdown this season. North Carolina finally broke through with 1:06 left in the third quarter, their lone touchdown on the afternoon. 

UCF answered one last time by closing the game with its most impressive possession of the year when Jaden Nixon capped an 18-play, 93-yard drive — the Knights’ longest of the season — with a touchdown that consumed 10 minutes and 26 seconds, sealing the 34-9 victory.

The win marks the third straight season UCF has opened 3-0 under Head Coach Scott Frost. The victory also extends Frost’s winning streak at UCF to 16 consecutive games, a run that ranks among the longest active streaks in college football.

Knight Nation, donning their black and gold, packed the stands to support the Hometown Team as tonight’s attendance marked a sellout crowd of 44,206. The last sellout was last season's match up against Colorado with an attendance of 45,702.

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UP NEXT
The Knights begin Big 12 play as UCF travels to Manhattan, Kansas to take on the Wildcats. Kickoff is set for Noon ET and will be broadcast on FS1.

About UCF Athletics
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.