2025 UCF Knights football team

The 2025 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida (UCF) as a member of the Big 12 Conference during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Knights were led by third-year head coach Scott Frost in the first-year of his second stint. The Knights played their home games at Acrisure Bounce House, located in Orlando, Florida.^[a]

After compiling a 28–24 record during four years as head coach, Gus Malzahn resigned on November 30, 2024 to take the offensive coordinator position at Florida State.^[1] One week later, after a brief coaching search, the university re-hired Scott Frost, who coached the Knights football team in 2016–2017.^[2]

Shawn Clark, previously the head coach of Appalachian State, joined the coaching staff as offensive line coach. On September 10, four days after the second game of the season, Clark was hospitalized after suffering a medical emergency.^[3] Clark died on September 21, 2025 at the age of 50.^[4] The team announced that they would wear an "SC" decal on their helmets for the remainder of the season.^[5]

The Knights saw huge roster turnover from the previous season, with no less than 70 new players for 2025, most from the transfer portal.^[6] Head coach Scott Frost began a rebuild with new players at almost every skill position.^[6] On August 25, former Marshall and FAU transfer Cam Fancher (a redshirt senior) was named the starting quarterback for Week 1.^[7] Fancher, however, suffered an injury in the first half of the first game, and Tayven Jackson would be named the starter for Week 2. Fancher, Jackson, Jacurri Brown and Davi Belfort all took snaps at quarterback, while Myles Montgomery and Jaden Nixon were the lead rushers with a combined 1,259 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Knights got off to a 3–0 start, but dropped seven of their last nine games to finish 5–7. Initially UCF was not bowl eligible, but due to their Academic Progress Rate (APR) they became eligible after multiple teams ahead of them opted out of postseason participation. The Knights, however, declined a possible invitation to the Birmingham Bowl, due to shortages on the depth chart.^[8]

• Source^[9][10]

• Sources:^[11][12]

*= 247Sports Composite rating; ratings are out of 1.00. (five stars= 1.00–.98, four stars= .97–.90, three stars= .80–.89)
†= Despite being rated as a three star recruit by ESPN, On3.com, and 247Sports.com, Stroud received a four star rating by Rivals.com.
Δ= TBD left the UCF program following signing but prior to the 2025 season.

For 2025, UCF elected to not conduct their annual spring exhibition game. This was due to ongoing construction at the stadium, and to protect the roster during the spring transfer portal window.^[13] As a substitute, the Knights arranged for two practice sessions to be open to the public.^[14]

The Big 12 officially discontinued their annual preseason media poll,^[15] but various other outlets predicted the Knights to finish 15th–16th in the conference.^[16][17]

The Knights hosted defending Conference USA champions Jacksonville State on Thursday night. It marked the first game of Scott Frost's second tenure as head coach. Former Marshall and FAU transfer Cam Fancher started at quarterback, but was knocked out of the game early in the second quarter on a Targeting hit by Tre'Quon Fegans. The game was then halted due to lightning. After a two-hour and seven-minute weather delay, the game resumed with Tayven Jackson taking over at quarterback for the Knights.

The game was tied 10–10 late in the fourth quarter. Jacksonville State was driving into UCF territory with less than two minutes left in regulation. Facing a 4th & Inches at the UCF 36 yard line, the Gamecocks tried a hurry-up play. Cam Cook was tackled for no gain by Jayden Williams which turned the ball over on downs. A few plays later, the Knights were facing a 3rd & 10 at their own 36. Tayven Jackson scrambled for a 15-yard gain, then a late hit Targeting call on Trevor Woods tacked on an additional 15 yards. Three plays later, Jackson threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to D. J. Black with 1:03 left, and the Knights won 17–10.

The victory marked UCF's 10th consecutive win on opening day, Frost's 14th consecutive win with the Knights, and the milestone 300th claimed victory for the program.^[b][c]

The Knights hosted North Carolina A&T on Saturday night. Kickoff was delayed 70 minutes due to weather. Jaden Nixon returned the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown, and the Knights routed the Aggies. Tayven Jackson started at quarterback, and ran for two touchdowns in the first quarter. Nixon added an 87-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, and UCF built a 40–0 halftime lead. Jacurri Brown took over at quarterback in the second half. The Knights cruised to a 68–7 victory.

Nixon was the offensive standout for the night with three total touchdowns and 156 yards rushing on just four carries. Nixon was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week.^[27] UCF improved to 2–0 for the third straight season, and head coach Scott Frost won his 15th consecutive game with the Knights.

The Knights hosted North Carolina, the first meeting between the two teams. Tayven Jackson threw for 223 yards, and one touchdown pass, and also ran for a touchdown, as the Knights defeated the Tar Heels 34–9. UCF improved to 3–0 for the third straight season, and head coach Scott Frost won his 16th consecutive game with the Knights.

A scheduled meeting between the two teams in 2018 was cancelled due to Hurricane Florence, then another scheduled meeting in 2020 was also cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The game was part of a new replacement home-and-home series, with a matchup in Chapel Hill set for 2027.

For the third time in as many games, the Knights defense held their opponent scoreless on the opening possession. They also kept alive their streak by not allowing a touchdown in the first half. The Knights defense had one interception and one fumble recovery, and both turnovers led to points. North Carolina finally found the endzone in the third quarter, at which point the score was 27–9. UCF put the game away in the fourth quarter with an 18-play, 93-yard touchdown drive, which consumed 10 minutes and 26 seconds of game clock.

UCF traveled to Kansas State for their Big 12 conference opener. The Wildcats defeated the Knights 34–20. Quarterback Tayven Jackson was knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury in the second quarter, but he would return in the second half. The UCF offense managed some explosive plays, including an 82-yard touchdown reception by D. J. Black, and a 54-yard touchdown run by Jaden Nixon. But three turnovers, and a turnover on downs resulted in several drives coming up empty. The Wildcats put up 266 yards on the ground, and turned the ball over only one time – an interception on the first drive of the first quarter.

UCF dropped to 3–1 on the season (0–1 in the Big 12). The loss was head coach Scott Frost's first loss with the Knights program since the 2016 Cure Bowl on December 17, 2016.

The Knights jumped out to a 14–0 lead with two Myles Montgomery touchdown runs in the first half. But Kansas started chipping away at the deficit. Kansas took the lead in the third quarter after a sack and fumble by quarterback Tayven Jackson. Jackson was knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury, and one play later, Kansas was in the endzone with a 2-yard touchdown run by Leshon Williams. Trailing 27–20, Cam Fancher drove the Knights to the Kansas 1 yard line with 2:00 left in regulation. Facing a 2nd & Goal at the 1, the Kansas defense stopped the Knights on three straight plays – a goal-line stand that essentially won the game for the Jayhawks.

UCF dropped to 3–2 on the season (0–2 in the Big 12).

Cam Fancher started at quarterback. Fancher threw for 222 yards and ran for a touchdown, but the Knights fell to the Bearcats 20–11. UCF outgained Cincinnati in total yards, passing yards, rushing yards, and dominated the time of possession, but penalties, a turnover (fumble), and three turnovers on downs saw most drives come up empty. UCF fell behind 17–0, and did not reach the endzone until late in the fourth quarter.

UCF lost their third straight game and fell to 3–3 (0–3 in Big 12).

UCF hosted West Virginia on Homecoming weekend. The Knights snapped a three-game losing streak, and soundly defeated the Mountaineers 45–13. Tayven Jackson started at quarterback (Cam Fancher was inactive due to injury) and threw for 277 yards and 2 touchdown passes. The Knights put up 578 yards on offense. The defense held West Virginia to only 79 passing yards, recorded 7 sacks, and had a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.

Jackson got the Knights on the board in the first quarter with two touchdown passes to Chris Domercant. Both were scored on 4th down plays. On their next two drives, however, UCF turned the ball over on downs, failing on 4th & short both times. The Knights led 14–7 at halftime, after West Virginia missed a field goal attempt as time expired in the second quarter.

The third quarter belonged to the Knights. They received the second half kickoff, and drove 92 yards in 9 plays. Jaden Nixon's 12-yard touchdown run gave UCF a 28–7 lead. Moments later, Khalil Wilkins was sacked and fumbled. Keli Lawson scooped the ball up and returned it 32 yards for a Knights touchdown. Jaden Nixon capped off the explosive third quarter with a 83-yard touchdown run, and a 35–7 lead.

The Knights added a field goal and another touchdown and won 45–13. It was their first victory against West Virginia, and first conference win of the season. The Knights improved to 4–3 on the season (1–3 in Big 12).

UCF traveled to Baylor after their bye week. The Bears defeated the Knights 30–3. UCF struggled on offense and their only points came on a field goal at the end of the first half. It was UCF's first game without scoring a touchdown since 2015. The Knights slipped to 4–4 (1–4 Big 12).

UCF hosted Houston in the ninth annual edition of the Space Game. The Knights fell to the Cougars 30–27 after an interception in the endzone with 11 seconds left in regulation. The Knights defense forced four turnovers – defensive back Phillip Dunnam set a single-game school record with three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. It was UCF's first loss in the nine-year history of the Space Game, and they fell to 4–5 on the season (1–5 Big 12).

UCF led 3–0 after the first quarter. Houston was held to a turnover on downs, a punt, and an interception by Phillip Dunnam (his first of three). The second quarter, however was explosive for both teams. Mekhi Mews muffed a punt, and UCF recoved at the Houston 25 yard line. Four plays later, Myles Montgomery was in the endzone, and UCF led 10–0. Houston responded with a 64-yard bomb to Amare Thomas, which made the score 10–7. Moments later, Tayven Jackson's pass was intercepted by Latreveon McCutchin, who returned it 45 yards for a touchdown. UCF responded, however, with a 10-play, 75 yard drive, capped off by a 15-yard touchdown run by Jaden Nixon. Three plays later, Phillip Dunnam picked off Conner Weigman, and returned the ball 43 yards for a touchdown (his second interception of the game). UCF led 24–17 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Phillip Dunnam's third interception led to a UCF field goal, and a 27–24 lead to start the fourth quarter. Houston tied the score with an 11-play, 63 yard drive, ending in a field goal. UCF went three and out, and punted back to Houston. The Cougars drove 62 yards, burning almost 8 minutes off the clock. The Knights defense stiffened, and kept the Cougars out of the endzone. Houston kicked a field goal, and went up 30–27 with 2:23 to go.

Aided by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty assessed on the kickoff, UCF started their drive at the 46 yard line. Devi Belfort came in at quarterback. Two big runs by Belfort got the Knights to the Houston 27. On 3rd & 13 with 11 seconds to go, Belfort's pass to the endzone intended for Duane Thomas was intercepted by Kentrell Webb, and the game was over.

UCF faced 6th-ranked Texas Tech. The Red Raiders routed the Knights 48–9. UCF dropped to 4–6 on the season (1–6 Big 12). The only offensive points for the Knights came at the beginning of the third quarter; an 8-yard pass from Tayven Jackson to Dylan Wade.

Noe Ruelas kicked a 34-yard field goal with 57 seconds left to lift UCF over Oklahoma State by the score of 17–14 on Senior Day. The Cowboys took a 14–0 lead into halftime, but the Knights scored 17 unanswered points in the second half for a comeback win.

The Knights offense was mostly inept in the first half, with two turnovers, three punts, and no points. Oklahoma State (1–9 and in last place in the Big 12 going into the game) scored on their opening drive, and extended their lead to 14 just before halftime. UCF got the ball to start the second half, and immediately got on the board. On the first play from scrimmage, Tayven Jackson found Dylan Wade wide open for an 83-yard touchdown pass. The Knights defense would shutout the Cowboys in the second half, holding them to only 27 second half offensive yards.

Early in the fourth quarter, Antione Jackson's punt return set the Knights up at the Cowboys 45 yard line. Tayven Jackson drove the Knights 45 yards in 8 plays for the tying score. On 4th & Goal from the Cowboys 2 yard line, Jackson found a wide open Dylan Wade in the right endzone. It was Wade's second touchdown catch of the game. The Knights defense forced a punt, and got the ball back with 6:33 left in regulation. UCF drove to the Cowboys 16 yard line. Ruelas kicked the go-ahead field goal with 57 seconds left on the clock. On the first play of the ensuing drive, Zane Flores's pass was broken up by Braeden Marshall and intercepted by Jayden Bellamy. The Knights improved to 5–6 (2–6 in Big 12), and stayed alive for bowl eligibility.

UCF jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, but BYU would overpower the Knights on their way to a 41-21 victory. Tayven Jackson threw two touchdown passes, and caught a touchdown pass. The Knights finished 5-7 on the season, failing to become bowl eligible for the second consecutive season. The loss was UCF's 9th straight road loss, dating back to the 2024 season.

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