UCF does just enough to be better than OK

BY Adam Eaton

FINAL SCORE: UCF 17 – Oklahoma State 14

“Saying it wasn’t a great first half is probably an understatement” – Scott Frost

No truer statement can be spoken about the first 30 minutes of UCF’s performance against Oklahoma State, which saw them trailing 14-0 as they walked through the tunnel and into the halftime locker room. What they left on the field was an inconsistent offense and a defense that had trouble adjusting to what the Pokes were doing to move the ball. 

The second 30 minutes saw UCF finally put together some timely plays on offense, a stingy defense, and a lights-out field goal kicker, to walk out of the stadium with their 5th win of the season, and their 2nd conference win of 2025. It is also the second time UCF has beaten Oklahoma State since joining the Big 12, the only such team the Knights have faced more than once and not lost to. 

D-Wade was on fire

The Knights’ offensive output featured a heavy dose of junior tight end Dylan Wade. The Orlando native and Maryland transfer hauled in four receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns. The biggest play of the game for the Knights was the first call right out of halftime, which saw Wade get open on a nifty TE wheel route concept for an 83-yard touchdown reception. 

Later, as the Knights took possession for the first drive in the fourth quarter, and still trailing by a touchdown, QB Tayven Jackson navigated the Knights down the field to a goal-to-go situation. However, three straight stops by Oklahoma State put UCF in a precarious position, but Scott Frost and staff dialed up a perfect TE crossing route, and Wade brought in his second score of the game. 

Wade is now second on the team in receptions (39), first in receiving yards (492), and first in TD receptions (4). 

Stops on Stops on Stops

For all of the documented offensive struggles the Knights have had in 2025, the defense has been almost the polar opposite, particularly early in the game and on opening drives. That script got flipped pretty quickly on Saturday as Oklahoma State came out and scored twice in the first half, capping off drives of 13 and 12 plays, respectively.

The halftime period certainly lit some fire under the UCF defense, evidenced by the Pokes being forced into four consecutive three-and-outs, and having a fifth drive end in a punt after just five plays. Defensive Edge’s Nyjalik Kelly and Isaiah Nixon turned up the pressure on QB Zane Flores, and defensive backs Jayden Bellamy and Antoine Jackson broke up several passes in the secondary during that critical sequence. 

After UCF took the lead with 50 seconds remaining, Oklahoma State’s thoughts of putting together a late comeback were dashed when Bellamy tipped a Flores pass into the hands of defensive back Braeden Marshall, sealing the win for the Knights. 

Heading into the final week of the season, the Knights are firmly in the Top 50 of the country in defensive scoring (45) and total defense (35).

Senior Salute

Saturday marked the Knights’ annual Senior Knight, where they honored 25 senior or 5th-year players as they took the home field for the final time. The loudest cheers of the event went to 6th-year super senior OL Paul Rubelt, 4th-year senior DE Malachi Lawrence, 2nd-year senior RB Myles Montgomery, and 2nd-year senior DE Nyjalik Kelly. 

Montgomery proved to be a leader on the field as well, amassing 82 yards on the ground to go along with 20 yards receiving. Senior kicker Noe Ruelas also played a starring role, nailing a 34-yard field goal with under a minute to play to give the Knights the dub. 

Marriott Now Has a New Meaning

Several hours before kickoff, On3 Sports Hayes Fawcett reported that Platte County HS (MO) four-star quarterback prospect Rocco Marriott had flipped his commitment to UCF from James Madison. Marriott represents the highest ever high school QB recruit in program history, and, if the pronouncement holds, it gives Scott Frost a key commitment in the 2026 class. 

The Knights’ QB room for 2026 will likely experience turnover, and Marriott, along with fellow 2026 high school signee Dante Carr (NJ), could have an opportunity to compete for the job throughout the spring. 

Quote Me On That

“Well, at this point in the season, there’s no more prognosticating about what you might be. You know, you are kind of what you are at this point. You know, we’re a decent team that’s gone through a lot this year… when we play hard and fast, we find ourselves in close games with other teams in the league. You know, we got one more chance to go play together as a unit and I’d love to see us play our best game.”

– UCF Football Head Coach Scott Frost

Next Up

UCF will travel to Provo for a date with the BYU Cougars on Saturday at 1 pm EST. A win for BYU would put them in the Big 12 Conference Championship Game, while a Knights victory would get them to the six-win mark needed for bowl eligibility. 

Early betting lines have BYU as an 18-point favorite at home, a place where UCF has visited only once, a 24-17 loss in 2011.