After one of its sharpest offensive showings of the season in a win over No. 2 BYU, UCF took a hard step backward last Friday against Baylor. The Knights were held to nine points in a 41-9 loss, failed to reach the end zone for the first time this season and didn’t get to 300 yards of offense for the third time this year.
Coach Scott Frost said Monday the offense never found its rhythm.
“We didn’t quite have the same zip and energy, particularly on offense,” Frost said on Monday. “Offensively, we’ve been trending up the whole year and getting better and better.
I don’t think last week followed that trajectory. We didn’t block well.
We didn’t separate enough on routes. We didn’t protect well enough.
We didn’t look as fast executing anything.”
The numbers back up the rough stretch. UCF is averaging 29.8 points per game through its first eight games, but that drops to 23.3 over the last four against Houston, Oklahoma State, BYU and Baylor - the toughest part of the schedule. The Knights now turn to a final four-game run against Kansas, Arizona State, Iowa State and Colorado, a group that has combined for a 14-18 record and is allowing 27.5 points per game.
Offensive coordinator Steve Cooper said the Knights have to bring more pace and sharper execution against Kansas.
“That’s what it takes (to win): speed and precision,” Cooper said. “Obviously, physicality comes through that speed. Also, we need to try and script a little better.”
“It’s going to take our best to win in this league. If you give less than your best, or you don’t perform well, you can get beat,” added Frost.
The defense had its own issues in the Baylor loss. UCF gave up a season-high 503 yards, the most it has allowed since Iowa State piled up 530 on Oct. 19, 2024, and Baylor also threw for a season-best 319 yards against the Knights.
Frost pointed to the field position battle early, saying the offense put the defense in a tough spot.
“We started out so poorly on offense and the defense played pretty hard early on, but with field position we put them in a bad position early,” Frost said.
Baylor’s average starting field position was its own 36-yard line, while UCF’s drives typically began at its own 25. Still, defensive coordinator Alex Grinch said the unit’s problems went beyond that.
“I was disappointed in how we responded in those moments,” said Grinch. “We’ve got to make sure frustration doesn’t lead to lack of focus and, at times, over the night, it did.”
Up front, the offensive line also had a rough night. UCF allowed seven sacks, a season high, and was last hit for five or more sacks on Nov. 29, 2024, against Utah. The Knights managed only 66 rushing yards, marking the third time this season they have failed to top 100 on the ground.
“We didn’t block as well as we have,” Frost said.
The line has already been hit by injuries, with guard Owen Spell and center Jacob Maiava both missing time at different points. Frost said the group is still holding together, but depth is being stretched.
“Offensive line is a place where we’re still in okay shape right now with the guys that we’ve got,” said Frost. “Our depth is getting tested, that’s for sure at that spot with some of the guys that are out. We’ve got four games left and we’ve got to rely on the guys that are up and available.”
Cooper said he expects that group to answer the bell.
“They’re going to respond to the challenge because they usually do,” added Cooper. “I certainly think those guys will have a chip on their shoulder to play this game against a really good defensive opponent.”
The injury list remains a major issue for UCF. Frost said offensive guard Owen Spell and defensive tackle RJ Jackson Jr. are done for the season. Spell has been dealing with plantar fasciitis, while Jackson has been working through a range of injuries.
There is some better news elsewhere. Linebacker Lewis Carter, who has missed five games with an undisclosed injury, is getting closer to returning, and running back Taevion Swint, who has missed the last two games, is also trending in the right direction.
“Lew’s getting closer. I thought he would have been back a while ago, but every injury reacts a little differently,” said Frost. “Swint was trending up last week, but I don’t know how close he is.”
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