WACO, Texas – The Knights were unable to overcome a fast start from Baylor and costly penalties, falling 30-3 to the Bears on the road Saturday afternoon at McLane Stadium.
Eight recievers got a piece of the ball including wide receiver Duane Thomas Jr., who led the team with 77 receiving yards on eight receptions. Tight end Dylan Wade added 34 yards of his own, while running back Myles Montgomery led the rushers with 50 yards and followed Wade and Thomas with 23 yards from catches.
UCF’s lone score came at the end of the first half, when kicker Noe Ruelas drilled a 45-yard field goal after a crucial defensive play, marking his 11th straight. EDGE Malachi Lawrence recorded a strip sack of Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson, which was recovered by Derrick LeBlanc and returned 13 yards to set up the scoring opportunity.
Lawrence was a standout on the day, recording two sacks, three tackles for loss and multiple quarterback pressures. Lawrence entered the contest 13th in the nation among active sack leaders and slotted in second in the Big 12. Today’s game marked the second consecutive with Lawrence recorded two sacks.
Baylor opened the game with an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, capped by a 13-yard strike from Robertson to tight end Michael Trigg. The touchdown marked the first opponent score on the opening drive that the Black and Gold have allowed all season. After a short opening drive from the Knights, the Bears added another score on their next possession, this time finishing an 8-play drive with a short touchdown pass to Josh Cameron to take a 14-0 lead.
UCF responded with its most promising drive of the first half, highlighted by a 14-yard pass to Montgomery and a 17-yard run from the back himself. The Knights advanced to Baylor’s 13-yard line but came up short on a fourth-down pass attempt, turning the ball over on downs.
The second quarter saw the Bears extend their lead with a 40-yard field goal and another scoring drive that ended in a 28-yard kick, pushing the margin to 20-0. UCF’s defense held strong on several possessions throughout the half, including a red zone stand that forced a missed field goal and a turnover on downs. Ruelas’ field goal brought the score to 20-3 entering halftime.
In the second half, UCF opened with a drive that reached Baylor territory thanks to a pass interference call and a series of short gains from Montgomery. However, the drive stalled leading to a 53-yard field goal attempt by Ruelas that ultimately came up short. Baylor responded with a 13-play, 42-yard drive that ended in a 41-yard field goal, extending their lead to 23-3. With an additional field goal and one final receiving touchdown, the Bears claimed the win, 30-3. at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.
UP NEXT
The Knights return home to play No. 22 Houston in the annual Space Game on November 7. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. 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