ORLANDO – Keyone Jenkins completed a school-record 95 percent of his passes and UCF’s defense forced four turnovers in a 21-13 win over TCU on a sun-soaked Saturday at Acrisure Bounce House to open Big 12 Conference play.
Jenkins went 19-for-20 in his second start in place of injured quarterback Alonza Barnett III. His 95 percent completion rate broke the UCF record for a game with at least 15 attempts, previously held by his quarterbacks coach, McKenzie Milton. Jenkins also completed 14 consecutive passes after his lone incompletion, tying Milton for the fourth-longest streak in a game in program history. Jenkins’ streak will carry over to next week’s contest, chasing the UCF record of 18 set by Dillon Gabriel in 2020.
The defense gave Jenkins and the Knights an early opportunity. On TCU’s third play, Jayden Bellamy punched the ball loose from receiver Ed Small, and Braeden Marshall recovered the fumble in Horned Frogs territory. It was UCF’s first time forcing a turnover on an opponent’s opening drive since last season’s Big 12 opener at Kansas State.
UCF turned the short field into points. Facing first and long after an offensive pass interference penalty, Jenkins connected with Agyeman Addae for 15 yards, and Duke Watson followed with a 10-yard run for a first down. Taevion Swint finished the drive with a 13-yard touchdown run to put the Knights ahead 7-0.
TCU answered with a seven-play, 75-yard drive capped by Jeremy Payne’s one-yard touchdown run. The Horned Frogs later took a 10-7 lead on a 29-yard field goal after stopping UCF on fourth down near midfield.
The Knights responded before halftime. Jenkins found Josh Derry for 22 yards, and Watson added a 14-yard run to help move UCF downfield. On 3rd and 15, Jenkins connected with Caden Piening for the first touchdown catch of his career, sending the Knights into the break ahead 14-10.
TCU cut the lead to one with a third-quarter field goal, but UCF later added a touchdown on a one-yard push by Landen Chambers to make it 21-13. The Black and Gold held the Horned Frogs scoreless the rest of the way.
The Knights held TCU to three second-half points, continuing a stretch in which they allowed just 15 points after halftime through four games this season. UCF improved to 3-1 and opened Big 12 play with a win for the second time in its four-year tenure, the other one also coming against TCU in 2024. The Black and Gold have started 3-1 in each of the last five seasons.
A handful of Knights had standout defensive days, including Bellamy, who forced a fumble and later snagged an interception, becoming the first Knight to do so since Divaad Wilson did it in 2022 against SMU. Jeffson Lafontant and Isaiah Nixon each had 2.5 tackles for loss. Nixon tallied 1.5 sacks while Lafontant and Demari Henderson each tallied one.
The contest was TCU’s first game in the state of Florida since 2003, as they fall to 4-6 all-time when playing regular season contests in the Sunshine State.
UP NEXT
Saturday’s win will be the last in the Sunshine State for quite some time for the Knights as they embark on a two-game road trip, starting Oct. 3 at noon ET at No. 25 Houston, before heading into its bye week. UCF returns to the Bounce House Oct. 24 against BYU for homecoming, with time and TV designation to be announced at a later date.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2026 campaign are on sale and can be purchased here! Be sure to be a part of all the action as the Knights play their 20th season in Acrisure Bounce House.
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.