Football Bested at No. 6 Texas Tech, 48-9

LUBBOCK, Texas - Against sixth-ranked Texas Tech at Jones A&T Stadium, UCF football was handed a 48-9 defeat, as the top-10 Red Raiders controlled the contest from the opening snap.

Ground dominance from Texas Tech (10-1, 7-1) highlighted the differences, as the Black and Gold (4-6, 1-6) will now return to Orlando with the hopes of staying in bowl contention as it welcomes Oklahoma State for Senior Night.

The Knights' defense, which entered the Saturday tilt ranked 12th in the nation for passing defense, was swiftly dealt an early blow after the Red Raiders connected on a pair of 17 and 40-yard passes before Cameron Dicky opened the scoring with a 12-yard rush.​

Spanning just four plays and 63 seconds, the hosts drove 75 yards, marking just the second time this season the Black and Gold have allowed an opening-drive touchdown (at Baylor, Nov. 1).

Texas Tech forced a three-and-out to get the ball straight back before promptly doubling its advantage on a six-play, 58-yard touchdown drive that continued UCF’s early woes. With two early scores, a first for any opponent against the Knights this season, the offense couldn’t respond as it was forced into two more three-and-outs before the quarter’s end.

Mustering just four yards in the opening 15 minutes, the deficit grew once again out of the break, as a third different Red Raider secured a rushing touchdown to push the hosts' lead to 21-0.

UCF finally got on the board in unconventional fashion, forcing Texas Tech back within its own 10-yard line before Howard Sampson was flagged on a holding call, which occurred in the endzone, resulting in a safety and two points for the Knights. The safety was the first forced by the Black and Gold since last season’s opener against New Hampshire, with a blocked punt in the second quarter accounting for two of UCF’s eventual 58 points.​

Hopeful for a spark after the good fortune, the Red Raiders nixed any momentum gained with their fourth rushing touchdown of the half on Reggie Virgil’s second score, this time on a 30-yard rush. The last time the Knights allowed four touchdowns on the ground in a single half came over two years ago in a defeat at Kansas, as the Jayhawks ran for four scores in the second half.

On the subsequent drive, Heisman hopeful and the nation’s leader in takeaways, Jacob Rodriguez, tallied his fourth interception of the season, leading to a Texas Tech touchdown through the air. Before halftime, the hosts added a field goal to grow their advantage to 38-2, marking the most points the Knights have allowed in a half since SMU matched the total in the opening 30 minutes on Nov. 13, 2021.​

Commencing action in the second half, the Black and Gold pieced together their strongest drive of the game, navigating 75 yards before Tayven Jackson and Dylan Wade connected for an eight-yard touchdown on the eighth play. Wade split the defense before stretching out for the nice catch, reeling in his second touchdown as a Knight, while Jackson tallied his sixth score through the air.

Ten more points from Texas Tech and a scoreless fourth quarter put a conclusion on what was a difficult day for UCF in its 47th all-time contest against a top-25 opponent.

Up Next

The Knights will honor seniors next Saturday, November 22, against Oklahoma State. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. on ESPN+.

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.