UCF will be short-handed again when it faces No. 2 BYU on Saturday, with running back Taevion Swint ruled out for the homecoming game, according to the Big 12 player availability report released Wednesday night.
Swint has been a meaningful piece of the Knights’ offense and return game. The redshirt freshman has run for 162 yards on 32 carries and has scored two touchdowns, while also averaging 29.9 yards per kickoff return this season.
The 5-foot-10, 185-pound back has shared much of the workload behind Duke Watson, who has started every game at running back. Swint and Landen Chambers have handled most of the backup snaps.
There was at least some movement in a few other injury cases. Quarterback Alonza Barnett III, who has missed the past four games while coming back from a hamstring injury, was bumped from out to questionable on the report. ESPN previously reported that the senior would not start against the Cougars, though coach Scott Frost declined to give a timetable for Barnett’s return.
Receiver Duane Thomas Jr. also moved from out to questionable after dealing with an undisclosed injury that has kept him sidelined for the first half of the season.
Center Jacob Maiava is listed as questionable after sitting out the game against Oklahoma State two weeks ago. He was carted off the sidelines during the first half of the Houston game and did not come back.
UCF will also be without linebacker Lewis Carter, who remains out with a lower-body injury. Carter has already missed three games this season, with Jayden Jennings and Jahleel Culbreath filling in for him in the lineup.
Cornerback DJ Bell could be another absence. Bell suffered an injury in practice this week, according to a source, and was listed as doubtful. He has played in all six games this season and has 10 tackles.
Guard Owen Spell will miss another game as he continues to deal with plantar fasciitis. Spell has already been out for three games.
In Other News...
BYU Could Get A Big Backfield Boost Against UCF
BYUs backfield could get an important lift this week with running back Sione Moa no longer on the injury report for the matchup against UCF. Moa is medically cleared to play, giving the Cougars a potential boost in a spot where depth always matters, even if his actual workload will still come down to how confident and ready he feels once game day arrives.
The rest of BYUs report is relatively light, with right guard Kyle Sfarcioc and safety Tommy Prassas still listed, while UCF is dealing with a much busier set of availability questions. The Knights have starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III marked questionable and five players already ruled out, including offensive lineman Owen Spell and linebacker Lewis Carter, setting up a game where both teams will be watching the injury situation closely right up to kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Suddenly Has A Backfield Question That Could Shape Everything
Bear Bachmeiers national recognition and Cade Uluaves Big 12 honor gave BYU plenty to celebrate after the win over Notre Dame, but the Cougars also left that game with a reminder that depth across the roster is still going to matter. With LJ Martin and Sione Moa sidelined by injuries, backup backs Preston Rex and Journee Tonga were thrown into meaningful work and helped stabilize an offense that needed them to hold up their end of the bargain.
That leaves the backfield in a familiar but delicate spot for Kalani Sitakes staff. Sitake praised the way the running backs have developed and contributed, but BYU is still evaluating Moas readiness to return after an injury history that has complicated his availability. How that shakes out could shape the balance of an offense coming off one of its biggest wins of the season. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Just Added A New Threat To Its Big 12 Push
With the Big 12 at its midpoint and three teams still unbeaten in league and overall play, BYU has already done enough to make the conference race feel crowded. The Cougars win over Notre Dame, pulled off despite injuries, has only sharpened the sense that this team belongs in the conversation with the leagues best, especially with several ranked teams still sorting out their own issues and identities.
What makes BYUs position even more interesting is how much turbulence sits around it. Houston has gotten a big lift from Conner Weigmans passing, Texas Tech has found more rhythm on offense, and other contenders have run into problems, from Oklahoma States defensive struggles to Baylors offensive issues and Arizona States in-game quarterback change. For BYU, the next stretch will say plenty about whether its fast start is a real Big 12 platform or just the opening chapter of a tougher climb. [Read more 🡒]