Jeffson Lafontant’s rise has given UCF something to build around up front, and defensive coordinator Alex Grinch likes what he’s seeing.
The junior defensive tackle leads the Knights with 21 tackles, including 12 solo stops and nine assisted, and he tops the team with two sacks. Horace Lockett is next among UCF defensive tackles with 17 tackles and 0.5 sacks.
Lafontant got to the quarterback for the first time against TCU on Sept. 26, then added his second sack against then-No. 18 Oklahoma State on Oct.
- Those plays have mattered because he’s been winning one-on-one battles and getting into the backfield, creating problems for opposing offenses.
His impact showed up again against TCU when he logged a hurry on quarterback Jaden Craig in the Horned Frogs’ second-to-last drive of the fourth quarter. Craig later threw an interception to defensive back Antione Jackson, closing out UCF’s first Big 12 home opener win since joining the conference in 2023.
Grinch said Lafontant is showing flashes of "quality football." He also pointed to flashes of "close," which he described as a common defensive theme for UCF.
That idea of winning the "fraction of a second" has become a major point of emphasis. For the Knights, those tiny margins are the difference between a pressure that changes a drive and a rush that arrives just late.
UCF’s pass rush has had a tougher time producing sacks over the last two games, and the challenge hasn’t been random. The Knights have been matched up against strong offensive lines, with Oklahoma State having allowed five sacks and No. 14 Houston allowing seven this season.
Now the test gets even bigger. On Saturday at Acrisure Bounce House, UCF will face another elite front when newly ranked No. 2 BYU comes to Orlando as the highest-ranked program ever to visit.
The Cougars’ offensive line is tied with Kansas State for the fewest sacks allowed, with both teams giving up just three. Kansas State, though, is slipping after poor performances in its last two games.
In Other News...
UCF Backfield Loses A Key Weapon Before Its Biggest Test Yet
UCFs rushing attack took a hit Wednesday when Taevion Swint landed on the injury report and was ruled out for the Knights upcoming trip to BYU. Swint has become a key part of the ground game, so his absence shifts more of the workload onto Duke Watson and Landen Chambers as UCF heads into one of its biggest tests of the season.
Scott Frost did not offer any details on what sidelined Swint or when the injury occurred, leaving the Knights to sort through the backfield without one of their most reliable options. The timing is notable, too, with BYU also expected to be without star running back LJ Martin, setting up a game where both teams will need to adapt quickly on offense. [Read more 🡒]
UCF Gets A Huge Boost For Its Shot At No. 2 BYU
A healthier receiving corps could be exactly what UCF needs with No. 2 BYU looming, and Duane Thomas Jr. is expected to be available for his season debut after missing the opening weeks with a lingering injury. His return would give the Knights another option in a passing game that has been leaning on Josh Derry, who has emerged as a key target for Keyone Jenkins in recent weeks.
Quarterback health is still part of the equation, too, with Alonza Barnett III possibly returning from injury even though Jenkins remains the likely starter. For UCF, that creates a little more flexibility as it tries to piece together an offense capable of keeping pace in a matchup that already carried plenty of weight before the injury news began to shift the picture. [Read more 🡒]
UCF Gets Its Biggest Home Test Yet Against No. 2 BYU
Saturdays matchup at FBC Mortgage Stadium carries the feel of a measuring-stick game for UCF, with No. 2 BYU bringing a top-tier national profile into one of the Knights biggest home stages of the season. The broadcast and radio setup is in place for a late kickoff, and the backdrop only adds to the buzz, with clear skies and cool temperatures expected in Orlando.
The on-field puzzle is centered on the run game, where both sides are dealing with key injury absences at running back. BYUs defense has been stout against the ground all season, and UCF has had trouble generating much there at times already, which puts even more pressure on a game that has long been tilted in the Cougars favor on paper. The odds reflect that reality, but this is the kind of home test that can still tell you a lot about where the Knights stand. [Read more 🡒]