UCF’s defense has been hanging by a thread in spots this season, and Alex Grinch is making one thing clear: the Knights need more heat up front.
After last Saturday’s loss to No. 22 Houston, the conversation centered on a pass rush that never really got going against quarterback Conner Weigman.
UCF finished with just one sack, with linebacker Jahleel Culbreath and EDGE Aymeric Koumba each credited with 0.5 sacks. It was the second time this season the Knights have come away with only one sack, with the first coming in Week 2 against Pittsburgh.
Houston’s offensive line deserves plenty of credit for that. The Cougars came into the game fifth in the Big 12 in sacks allowed with five, and they gave Weigman a clean pocket often enough for him to work the middle of the field without much disruption.
Grinch didn’t hide his frustration on Tuesday.
"I don't like seeing one sack on the day or whatever it was," Grinch said during Tuesday's media availability. "We got to find a way to get home and not just on third downs."
That was the part that stood out most for UCF. Weigman completed six plays of 10 yards or more, including a 43-yard strike to Trent Walker on third-and-4. Those chunk gains helped set up a career-high three rushing touchdowns in Houston’s comeback win.
Third down has been a trouble spot for the Knights’ defense, too. Opponents have converted 37.8% of their third downs, the sixth-best success rate and just 0.3% higher than Colorado.
For a defense that is supposed to be the foundation of UCF’s identity, that’s been the problem too often: enough stops to get close, but not enough finish to end the drive.
The challenge doesn’t get any easier. Mestemaker leads the Big 12 with 317.8 yards per game and is tied for second with Weigman with 11 touchdowns. His offensive line has given up only three sacks, which has helped fuel those passing numbers.
BYU, meanwhile, brings a different kind of test. The Cougars are the third-worst passing offense in the Big 12 at 179.8 yards per game, just 1.6 yards more than UCF, so there may be some relief for Grinch’s pass rush. But BYU has also allowed only three sacks and owns a 57.4% third-down conversion rate, the third-best mark in the conference.
UCF can’t afford to drift during this stretch against ranked opponents. A slump would leave the Knights needing to win three of their final four games.
For Grinch, the fix starts with the guys in the trenches - especially defensive tackle Horace Lockett and EDGE Sincere Edwards - winning their one-on-one battles and helping the front seven finally finish plays instead of just chasing them.
In Other News...
UCF Linebacker Issues Could Be Costly Against Oklahoma State
UCFs linebacker room has already taken plenty of hits this season, and the timing could not be much tougher. The Knights are trying to steady a defense that has been tested by injuries while preparing for a visit from No. 18 Oklahoma State, a team that can threaten opponents both through the air and on the ground.
The concern goes beyond depth, because the Knights have had to lean on new pieces to keep the middle of the defense functioning. With seniors Lewis Carter and Jayden Jennings out, UCF has been asking transfer help to carry a heavier load, and the next challenge comes against an offense that will stress every layer of the unit. [Read more 🡒]
UCF Defense Suddenly Has A Familiar Linebacker Question To Solve
Cole Kozlowskis path back onto the UCF defense has opened up at a useful moment for a linebacker group already dealing with injuries. A Florida court granted him an additional year of eligibility, giving the veteran a chance to rejoin the Knights if he is ready to go, and the timing adds another layer to a position already under strain.
UCF coaches have already acknowledged the ruling and are preparing for the possibility of folding Kozlowski back into the mix. With Lewis Carter and Jayden Jennings sidelined, the Knights suddenly have a familiar depth question to answer, and Kozlowskis status now hangs over how quickly that room can stabilize. [Read more 🡒]
Demari Henderson Is Giving UCF A Defensive Star Fans Can Believe In
Demari Henderson has quickly become one of the most reliable pieces on UCFs defense this season, giving the Knights a veteran presence in the back end at a time when every turnover and every stop matters. The senior defensive back has been active all over the field, stacking interceptions, tackles, a sack and passes defensed through the early going, the kind of production that has made him hard to ignore in the Big 12.
Hendersons recent stretch has only sharpened the spotlight, especially after a game against Georgia State in which he came away with multiple interceptions and helped set the tone for the secondary. For UCF, the bigger question now is not whether he has been important, but how high this defense can climb if he keeps playing at this level. [Read more 🡒]