The Knights get back on track with a take-care-of-business win in Week 2

BY ADAM EATON | SONS OF UCF

After what some might call an uneven performance in week 1 against Jacksonville State, the UCF Knights football team left no doubt on the field in week 2, drubbing FCS opponent North Carolina A&T 68-7. The fireworks started early with Jaden Nixon’s opening kickoff return for a touchdown. And, after 15 minutes of play, the Knights were already out to a commanding 28-0 lead on the Aggies. 

While it can be tough to truly quantify a performance in a blowout win, here are five things to know about this game and the Knights’ season after the first two weeks.

1. Jaden Nixon was a star

• The transfer running back (Western Michigan via Oklahoma State) only touched the ball five times in the game, but the results were 252 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns. Not bad for a player who charted only two carries for one yard in week 1. In my recent appearance on the 365 Sports show, I stated that I thought the Knights’ running game could be a weapon, and fortunately, Nixon showed the flash and promise that many were expecting to see from him. While it is unrealistic to assume that Nixon can keep up a 39ypc average throughout the season, his performance is a welcome development for this Knights offense. The Big 12 also took notice, naming Nixon the co-offensive player of the week.

2. Ready to Play

• Despite having their second straight game delayed due to inclement weather, the Knights came out ready to roll from the start in all three phases of the game. This was an area of attention for the Knights’ coaching staff, who were still trying to gauge the effort and energy of this team after week 1. Scoring a touchdown on offense, defense, and special teams, while putting up 68 points and holding the opponent to 7, helps the picture come into focus a little more. Even though the opponent might have been a level down, if we’ve learned anything so far this season, there is something to be said for taking care of business when you are expected to do so.

3. Linebacker Lapse

• Something to keep an eye on for this Knights defense is the play at linebacker. Week 1 starter Lewis Carter was suspended for the first half of this game due to a targeting penalty in week 1, and likely due to the scoreboard, he did not see the field. Fellow week 1 starter Keli Lawson logged 28 snaps on Saturday, and didn’t record a single stat (after only having three total tackles in week 1). Jayden McDonald took Carter’s place in the starting lineup, registering one interception and only one tackle. Cole Kozlowski got the second most snaps in the game and led the team with seven total tackles. UCF will need to find the right mix and rotation at this position over the next few weeks as they prepare for more athletic quarterbacks and tougher conference play competition.     

4. Can the Knights get Myles Montgomery going?

• Heading into the season, it was pretty well established that Myles Montgomery would be a team leader and the focal point of the Knights’ rushing attack. While nothing has really changed on that front, what has materialized through the first two weeks is that something is… off. Montgomery is still running as hard as ever, but the output seems to be lighter than anticipated – just 3.9ypc on 28 attempts. In speaking with former UCF offensive lineman Ryan Swoboda this week, he believes some of the early challenges in the run game stem from a new offensive line still learning to play as a cohesive unit while introducing Scott Frost’s offensive scheme. It should also be noted that Montgomery has had two touchdown runs called back due to holding penalties, further evidence that there is still a need to get the running game on track. Ultimately, Montgomery is far too talented to be held down for long, but Knights fans are eager to see him have a breakout performance.

5. There are still Q’s at Q

• The biggest storyline heading into the season was the starting quarterback, and after two games, it appears that storyline will be around for at least another two weeks. Week 1 starter Cam Fancher went down with an injury against Jax State and subsequently did not suit up in week 2. Tayven Jackson came on in relief of Fancher and threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns to cement the come-from-behind victory. That performance earned Jackson the start against NC A&T, and he put up a serviceable 12-21 stat line that included two rushing touchdowns in 34 plays of action. However, there were still some noticeable struggles, including a couple of missed reads, route confusion with receivers, and dropped balls, that contributed to the overall performance. QB Jacurri Brown took over in the third quarter, and with a conservative offense due to the score disparity, showcased his dynamic skill set, notching two rushing touchdowns, highlighted by a 60-yard scamper. Postgame, Scott Frost downplayed any talk of a QB controversy and again reiterated his belief that the Knights could win with all three quarterbacks running the offense. Through their time on the field, it’s apparent that each of the QBs brings a different strength to the table, and now, it’s up to Frost and the coaching staff to spend the next two weeks making the decision they have been facing for the past nine months. 

The Knights are on a bye this weekend, and will next take the field on Saturday, September 20th, when they welcome the North Carolina Tar Heels to Orlando. The game will kick off at 3:30 pm and be broadcast nationally on Fox.