CINCINNATI, Ohio – Redshirt senior quarterback Cam Fancher impressed in his squad’s rushing efforts, but the UCF football team was bested by the Cincinnati Bearcats, 20-11, at Nippert Stadium Saturday.
Fancher, making his first start since the Knights’ 2025 season debut against Jacksonville State Aug. 28, spearheaded the Black and Gold’s attack on the ground, producing a game-high 108 rushing yards and his team’s lone touchdown on 20 tries.
The quarterback on three occasions picked up at least 10 yards on an attempt and recorded the highest single-game rushing output by a UCF signal-caller this fall, besting Jacurri Brown’s 106 ground yards against N.C. A&T Sept. 6. His 108 yards marked his highest single-game rushing total since he also accrued 108 with Florida Atlantic against UTSA Oct. 19, 2024.
Penalties stalled the Knights’ progress throughout the afternoon, though, as the team was flagged 10 times for 75 total yards in the contest and mustered only a Noe Ruelas field goal through the first three quarters.
Despite UCF’s offensive struggles, defensive coordinator Alex Grinch’s unit produced another encouraging display, limiting Cincinnati to just 115 total rushing yards, well below its season average of 205.2 per game. None of the Bearcats’ three rushers eclipsed 50 yards on the afternoon.
Cincinnati’s 20 points also represented a departure from the norm for the second highest-scoring offense in the Big 12 (39.2 per game) thus far, as it was limited to 20 or fewer points for just the second time in its first six games this season.
Senior Phillip Dunnam led the way defensively with a team-high seven tackles and was joined by Nyjalik Kelly and Lewis Carter, both of whom recorded six to help hold the Bearcats to their second fewest total yards in a game this season (306).
UCF finally found its way into the end zone on its penultimate drive of the day, a 19-play, 90-yard march that was highlighted by a 4th and 12 conversion via a tipped pass from Fancher that was ultimately caught by junior tight end Dylan Wade, after Fancher narrowly escaped a would-be drive-ending sack.
After a defensive pass interference flag in the red zone on another 4th down attempt once again extended UCF’s drive, Fancher scored his first UCF touchdown with a three-yard scamper into the end zone. A subsequent pass attempt to Chris Domercant on the two-point try was completed to punctuate the Black and Gold’s offensive exploits.
UP NEXT
The Knights look to end their three-game skid at home against West Virginia Oct. 18. Kickoff for UCF’s homecoming matchup is set for 1 p.m. from Acrisure Bounce House and will be broadcast on TNT.
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.