LAWRENCE, Kan. – In a thrilling finish that came down to the final second, UCF football (5-4) delivered a dramatic 33-32 victory over Kansas Saturday afternoon at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, snapping a 12-game road losing streak.
Quarterback Alonza Barnett III delivered in the defining moment, leading the Knights down the field on a game-winning drive before finding tight end Caden Piening for the six-yard touchdown that gave UCF the win.
Barnett also connected with wide receiver Josh Derry for a 44-yard touchdown earlier in the third quarter, helping the Knights build a 19-point advantage. Derry proved to be Barnett’s top target throughout the afternoon, hauling in eight receptions for 143 yards and a touchdown.
The Knights faced a tense finish after Kansas took its first lead since the opening quarter, going ahead 32-26 with 1:06 remaining. UCF responded with a composed final possession, covering 73 yards in one minute. With 12 seconds left, a pass initially ruled incomplete was overturned on review, giving the Knights a 15-yard completion to Waden Charles. A pass interference penalty moved the Knights closer to the end zone, setting up Barnett’s six-yard strike to Piening. Will Stone connected on the extra point to secure the one-point victory.
The Knights’ late-game heroics capped a contest filled with momentum swings, a pair of defensive takeaways and a 19-point advantage that was erased by the Jayhawks’ second-half comeback.
UCF opened the afternoon by holding Kansas scoreless on its first possession, forcing a punt after a five-play, 20-yard drive. However, a first-quarter interception gave the Jayhawks another opportunity, which they turned into the opening touchdown of the game on a one-yard run by Isaiah Marshall.
UCF answered with a 37-yard field goal from Stone to get on the board before taking its first lead in the second quarter. Facing fourth-and-1, Duane Thomas Jr. broke through for a 10-yard rushing touchdown, giving the Knights a 9-7 advantage. Stone later added a 23-yard field goal to extend the lead to 12-7 heading into halftime.
The Black and Gold’s defense helped maintain the advantage, creating a key takeaway in the second quarter when Antione Jackson recovered a Kansas fumble. The Knights were unable to turn the possession into points, however, as a UCF fumble gave the ball back to the Jayhawks. Kansas eventually punted, and UCF had another opportunity to add to its lead before the break, but Stone’s 54-yard field-goal attempt came up short.
UCF came out of halftime with renewed momentum, scoring on its opening possession of the second half for the fifth time this season. The Knights moved the ball downfield before Taevion Swint finished the drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown, securing his first of the season. Stone added the extra point, pushing the Knights further ahead.
At 11:16 in the third quarter, Kansas recorded its first first down since the opening quarter, but the drive quickly ended when Jayden Williams forced a fumble that Braeden Marshall recovered for UCF.
The Knights wasted no time capitalizing, as Barnett connected with Derry for a 44-yard scoring strike. Stone added the extra point, pushing UCF’s lead to 26-7 and marking the shortest time between touchdowns for the Knights this season.
After UCF scored 26 unanswered points, Kansas began its comeback with a one-yard touchdown in the third quarter, trimming the deficit to 26-14. Kansas continued to chip away at the lead, opening the fourth quarter with a one-yard touchdown at 11:26 to make it a five-point game.
The Jayhawks pulled within two after connecting on a 34-yard field goal, setting up the tense final stretch. UCF was unable to respond on its ensuing possession, giving Kansas another opportunity to take control. The Jayhawks capitalized with a late touchdown run and two-point conversion, taking a 32-26 lead with 1:06 remaining.
With seven seconds left, a potential game-tying touchdown was overturned on review and ruled an incomplete pass. Seconds later, Barnett connected with Piening for a touchdown with four seconds remaining. All eyes turned to Stone, who converted the decisive extra point to seal the one-point comeback win.
Barnett finished the afternoon 18-of-31 for 251 yards and two touchdowns. Derry led the receiving corps with eight catches for 143 yards and a score, surpassing 100 receiving yards for the 11th time in his career and the second time as a Knight. Swint paced UCF on the ground with 50 yards on eight carries and a touchdown, while Thomas added a rushing score. Stone connected on two field-goal attempts and the decisive extra point. Bertrams averaged 55 yards on four punts, including a 64-yard boot, the second-longest of his career.
Defensively, Jackson and Marshall each recovered a fumble, while Williams recorded his second forced fumble of the season and the third of his career.
UP NEXT
The Knights return home to face Arizona State at Acrisure Bounce House on Nov. 14, time TBA, streaming 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.