UCF will be without its leading rusher when it takes on Arizona State on Saturday, with Duke Watson ruled out in the Big 12’s first player availability report of the week.
Watson was among several Knights listed out Wednesday. He left Saturday’s game against Kansas in the first quarter and was carted to the locker room before later reappearing on the sideline in street clothes with a boot on his right foot. Coach Scott Frost said Monday he wasn’t sure what Watson’s status would be.
The junior has been UCF’s top ground threat, piling up 596 yards on 94 carries with three touchdowns after transferring in from Louisville over the offseason. With Watson sidelined, the Knights are expected to lean on Landen Chambers, who has 225 rushing yards, and Taevion Swint, who has 181, against an Arizona State defense allowing 124 rushing yards per game.
UCF’s injury list didn’t stop there. Offensive lineman Tyler Gibson, cornerbacks DJ Bell and Kahmel Johnson, safety Demari Henderson and tight end Dylan Burk were also ruled out.
Starting receiver Waden Charles was listed as doubtful. Charles is tied for second on the team with 25 catches and ranks third with 285 receiving yards. A source said he suffered an undisclosed injury in the 33-32 win over Kansas.
Backup quarterback Keyone Jenkins, tight end Caden Piening and offensive lineman Jacob Maiava were listed as questionable.
There was some good news on the defensive side: linebacker Lewis Carter, who has missed the last six games, was listed as probable. Cornerback Antione Jackson, linebacker Jayden Jennings and edge rusher Bruno Dall were also listed as probable.
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Crawford has also made it clear why he believes Stokes can make an impact, publicly praising his competitiveness and energy. That kind of backing matters for Kansas, where the hype around a freshman can build quickly but usually means more when it comes from someone who has seen the game at the highest level. Stokes now brings that long-running relationship with him into his first season in Lawrence, with Crawfords influence adding another layer to the buzz surrounding his arrival. [Read more 🡒]