HOUSTON - The UCF football team had No. 20 Houston searching for answers early, building a 17-point cushion before Houston mounted a second-half comeback to rally past the Knights 27-17 Saturday at TDECU Stadium.
Keyone Jenkins opened the game with spark finding Josh Derry for a 49-yard gain on the Knights first offensive play. It marked UCF’s longest pass of the season and Derry’s longest reception this season. Four plays later, Jenkins found Derry again, this time for a 13-yard touchdown to cap a 75-yard opening drive giving UCF a 7-0 lead.
The Knights defense set the tone on Houston’s opening possession, forcing a punt and keeping the Cougars off the scoreboard. Houston had scored on its opening drive in each of its first four games, but UCF extended their streak of holding opponents scoreless on their opening drives this season.
UCF standing tall as Houston threatened in the red zone, they turned away the Cougars on fourth down from the 3-yard line with Tackett Curtis breaking up a pass to force turnover on downs. Houston got another opportunity from the same spot, but UCF produced a second fourth-down stop to keep the Cougars out of the end zone. Jayden Williams forced a fumble from Patrick Overmyer, and Curtis recovered the loose ball in the end zone for a touchback, keeping Houston scoreless on another trip inside the UCF 5-yard line.
UCF added to its lead before halftime, with Will Stone connecting on a 30-yard field goal with 1:36 remaining in the second quarter to send the Knights into the locker room with a 10-0 advantage.
The Black and Gold carried that momentum into the second half, putting together a 71-yard scoring drive that featured a pair of big plays on the ground. On the opening drive, Duke Watson ripped off a 37-yard run to the Houston 2-yard line with Jenkins finishing the drive with a 5-yard touchdown scramble pushing UCF to lead 17-0.
Houston broke through late into the third quarter, with quarterback Conner Weigman rushing a 19-yard touchdown cutting into the Knights’ lead. Two minutes later, a tipped UCF pass was intercepted and returned to set Houston up with prime field position. Weigman added a 1-yard rushing touchdown, trimming UCF’s lead to 17-14 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Cougars scored their third rushing touchdown of the afternoon on a 1-yard run with 10:15 remaining taking the lead 21-17.
Houston extended its lead to 24-17 on a 40-yard field goal with 4:14 remaining, setting up one final opportunity for the Knights. UCF was unable to add to the scoreboard on its next possession. Adding a 46-yard field goal, the Cougars pushed their lead to 27-17.
Jenkins finished the afternoon 23-for-35 passing for 253 yards and a touchdown while adding a rushing score. Derry led the Knights with 101 receiving yards on seven catches, marking his 10th career game with 100+ receiving yards. Waden Charles added four catches for 68 yards, including a career-long 35-yard reception.
Defensively, Henderson led the Knights with 10 tackles and added a pass breakup, while Jahleel Culbreath and Jayden Williams each recorded nine tackles. Curtis finished with five tackles, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup.
UP NEXT
The Knights remain on the road to face No. 19 Oklahoma State on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 12 p.m. on ESPN+.
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.