UCF's Season Finale at BYU: A Promising Start, a Harsh Finish, and a Look Ahead
The Knights wrapped up their season with a 41-21 loss at BYU, and while the final score stings, there were moments-especially early on-that showed flashes of what this team could be. Former UCF standout and ex-Falcon Paul Carrington weighed in on the performance, offering a detailed breakdown of what went right, what went wrong, and where the program goes from here.
Offensive Bright Spots: A Fast Start and Emerging Playmakers
Let’s start with what clicked early on-because for the first couple of drives, UCF looked like they came to Provo to make a statement.
Opening Drives Set the Tone
UCF came out swinging, mixing the run and pass beautifully to march down the field twice and take a 14-0 lead.
It was a textbook start, the kind that punches a top-15 team in the mouth and makes you believe an upset is brewing. The play-calling was balanced, the execution sharp, and the Knights looked confident.
Quarterback Grit
Tayven Jackson closed out the season with a performance that wasn’t flashy, but it was gutsy.
He took hits, played through injuries, and kept battling. That kind of toughness matters, especially heading into an offseason where leadership and resilience will be at a premium.
If he returns, that experience could pay dividends in 2026. Freshman Davi Belfort also showed flashes with his legs, but he’s still learning the balance-run when you must, but be a passer first.
Pass-Catchers Stepping Up
Tight end Dylan Wade has quietly turned into a cornerstone.
He capped off a strong season by setting a school record for most receiving yards in a single season by a tight end. That’s not just a nice stat-it’s a sign of a player who can be a mismatch nightmare moving forward.
Duane Thomas also made some noise, creating yards after the catch and showing he can be a weapon in space. That said, the unit wasn’t perfect-some key drops in this game stalled drives and killed momentum.
Where the Offense Fell Flat
Momentum Lost After the First Quarter
After that electric opening, things unraveled.
BYU adjusted, and UCF didn’t respond. The Knights seemed to lose their edge-and maybe even their belief-once the Cougars punched back.
Despite the early 14-0 lead, the in-game win probability still had UCF as a significant underdog, and it felt like that reality crept into the team’s psyche.
Running Game Abandoned
Myles Montgomery got off to a decent start, but once UCF fell behind, the run game vanished.
Part of that was situational-playing from behind forces your hand-but it also speaks to a lack of offensive rhythm. From the second quarter on, the Knights were behind the chains too often, and the ground game never had a chance to reestablish itself.
Offensive Line Discipline and Identity
The penalties were a problem.
UCF ranks ninth nationally in flags thrown against them, and a lot of that falls on the offensive line. Whether it’s false starts, holds, or just missed assignments, the lack of discipline up front has been a recurring issue.
More concerning, though, is the absence of a clear identity. That’s something that needs to be addressed this offseason-this group has to find its voice.
Defense and Special Teams: A Tale of Two Halves
Early Defensive Fire
Give credit where it’s due-the defense came out swinging.
In the first quarter, they rattled one of the most efficient offenses in the country. UCF’s front seven got pressure, and for a moment, it looked like the Knights might control the line of scrimmage.
That’s no small feat against a team that had only allowed eight sacks all season coming into the game.
Linebacker Leadership
As they’ve done all year, Carter and Kozlowski played with heart.
They were flying to the ball, plugging gaps, and trying to will this defense into holding the line. Kozlowski, in particular, will be a tough one to replace-his leadership and consistency have been a backbone for this unit.
Secondary Shows Promise
There’s young talent in the defensive backfield.
Demari Henderson, Jayden Bellamy, and DJ Bell all had moments where they flashed their potential. The tools are there, but the technique still needs work.
Too often, UCF’s DBs were caught out of position or got beat deep. That’s a learning curve issue-and one that offseason film study and coaching can address.
Where the Defense Broke Down
Worn Down by Offensive Struggles
This has been the story all year: the defense gets gassed because the offense can’t stay on the field.
Once the second quarter hit, the cracks started to show. The D-line lost its push, linebackers were late to fill, and the secondary began giving up chunk plays.
It wasn’t for lack of effort-it was fatigue, plain and simple.
Special Teams Miscues
Usually a strength, UCF’s special teams had a rough outing.
A punt return touchdown for BYU was a backbreaker, and a poorly timed shanked punt from Venneri didn’t help. Special teams are often the hidden third of the game, but in this one, they played a very visible role in the momentum shift.
Turning Point: The Backbreaker
The game’s defining moment came on that punt return touchdown that pushed BYU’s lead to 31-14. That was the dagger.
Up to that point, UCF still had a flicker of hope. After that, the game was out of reach.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Coach Frost and the Knights
There’s no more adjusting to do this season-but there’s plenty to build on. Despite the ups and downs, this year was a step forward from the last.
That matters. When you bring in 70 new players, building chemistry isn’t instant.
But now the foundation is there.
The next step? Hit the transfer portal hard.
Lock down some high school recruits. And just as important-make sure everyone in the locker room is all in.
If someone isn’t, it’s time to move on. UCF needs players who are bought into the vision.
Final Thoughts: A Season of Growing Pains, But Also of Growth
This season might not have delivered the win-loss record fans hoped for, but in many ways, it played out as expected given the roster overhaul and conference transition. The Knights showed flashes of potential-they just couldn’t sustain it.
Now comes the hard part: turning flashes into consistency.
UCF is 7-20 in Big 12 play since joining the conference. That’s a number that should be plastered across the weight room, the locker room, and every meeting room.
It’s not about shame-it’s about motivation. This program has the tools.
The question is: will they take the next step?
The offseason starts now.