MANHATTAN, Kan. - UCF football dropped its first conference game of the season after losing to Kansas State, 34-20, at Bill Snyder Family Stadium Saturday afternoon.
Entering the game as one of the nation’s top pass defenses, UCF (3-1, 0-1 Big 12) tallied 402 yards of total offense but had three turnovers and six penalties, which proved to be the difference. Kansas State (2-3, 1-1) compiled 434 yards with 168 through the air and 266 on the ground, while going four-for-four on red zone attempts.
"I don't think this team will ever give up... You've got to go through some success and some hard stuff to come together as a group. And there's no doubt now that this team has been through some tough things, but I think because of that, we can only get better."
Head Coach Scott FrostUCF’s defense came out strong with Demari Henderson intercepting a Kansas State pass on the opening drive, marking his fourth career interception and first since the 2023 Gasparilla Bowl against Georgia Tech. Henderson’s snag marked the Knights’ first interception on an opponent’s opening possession since former Knight, Deshawn Pace, picked off Shedeur Sanders on the third play of the game against Colorado on September 28, 2024.
Fourth-Career INT for no. 8️⃣
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) September 27, 2025
📺 FS1 https://t.co/bRPwk0NhPx pic.twitter.com/sKkvQ02xpx
The stop was part of a continued first-quarter trend, as UCF has now held opponents to just 210 total yards and zero points across all four opening quarters this season. The Wildcats wouldn’t be deterred that easily, though, as running back Joe Jackson would find the end zone late in the second quarter to take the first touchdown off UCF’s defense in a first half this season.
With Tayven Jackson going down early in the second quarter, Jacurri Brown entered at quarterback for the Black and Gold. Despite throwing an interception on his first pass of the game, Brown would shift offensive momentum back around quickly, connecting with DJ Black for an impressive 82-yard touchdown to put the Knights on the board.
The play marked career-longs for both players (pass and reception) and was good enough to take the spot of the eighth-longest reception in program history. It was also the first 75+ yard touchdown catch by a Knight since November 11, 2023, and the longest scoring grab for the program since Javon Baker's touchdown against Oklahoma St. on October 21, 2023. K-State managed to sneak in one more touchdown with under a minute remaining in the first half, extending their lead to 17–7 at the break.
The Wildcats maintained control coming out of the locker room, despite Noe Ruelas jumpstarting the Knights’ second-half scoring with a field goal. The 53-yard field goal, just a yard short of his career-long set during his freshman year, marks the longest for a Knight since Colton Boomer’s 55-yarder on Sept. 9, 2023, and ties for the third longest in program history.
Although the Wildcats stretched their lead to as much as three touchdowns, the Black and Gold continued to push back. With Jackson reentering the game for the Knights, the offense found some strength as Jaden Nixon ran 54 yards to close out the third with a touchdown. The play marked Nixon’s third 40-plus yard run of the season, with all three of them culminating in touchdowns.
Myles Montgomery was a highlight in the Black and Gold’s offensive performance of the day as well, tallying 119 rushing yards, his first 100-plus yard rushing game as a Knight. His 45-yard drive to open the second half also marks a UCF career best for the senior.
While defensive efforts got the Knights the ball back for multiple fourth-quarter possessions, the Wildcats were able to fend off the late surge and claim victory after an interception with just over two minutes left on the clock.
UP NEXT
The Knights will be back home next Saturday, Oct. 4, to face the Kansas Jayhawks at 7:30 PM on ESPN2.
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.