ORLANDO, Fla. — The UCF Knights pulled off the biggest upset in program history on Saturday, knocking off undefeated, second-ranked BYU 39-31 in a wild double-overtime thriller at the Bounce House.
Backup quarterback Keyone Jenkins, stepping in for injured starter Alonza Barnett III, tossed three touchdowns to spearhead the triumph over the highest-ranked opponent the Knights have ever hosted or beaten. The result dealt a severe blow to the College Football Playoff aspirations of the Cougars, who entered the afternoon fresh off a marquee win over Notre Dame.
A chaotic path to overtime
The matchup appeared headed for an agonizing finish for the home side late in regulation. Clinging to hope in a 24-24 game, UCF pushed to the BYU goal line but was turned away when Jenkins was halted on a fourth-and-1 sneak with under two minutes remaining. After forcing a Cougars punt, the Knights drove back into scoring territory with help from a critical unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against BYU defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa, Fox News reported.
With seconds left, UCF kicker Will Stone lined up for a potential game-winning 46-yard field goal. BYU defensive back Faletau Satuala broke through to block the kick as time expired, sending the contest into overtime amid a 10-second runoff.
BYU struck first in the initial extra session when quarterback Bear Bachmeier connected with Legend Glasker on a third-and-13 pass. UCF countered immediately on its first play, as Jenkins escaped pressure and launched a 25-yard touchdown strike to Josh Derry to tie the score at 31.
Overtime drama and the final stand
The turning point in the second overtime arrived on special teams. After UCF stalled, Stone came out and made a field goal, but BYU defender Kendal Wall was flagged for roughing the kicker. The controversial penalty gave the Knights an automatic first down, which Jenkins converted into a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Grayson Brousseau two plays later. Jenkins then rolled left and completed a required two-point conversion pass to Tyren Hornes, giving the Knights an eight-point cushion.
Facing a must-score situation, BYU marched inside the UCF 10-yard line. The Cougars could not punch it in, however, and Bachmeier’s fourth-down pass intended for Walker Lyons dropped incomplete to seal the upset.
Fans immediately rushed the field in celebration, with spectators sliding down canopy roofs near the end zone, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Head coach Scott Frost, who guided the Knights through an undefeated campaign in 2017 before an unsuccessful stint at Nebraska, embraced the moment.
“That was one of the wildest, weirdest innings I’ve ever been a part of,” Frost said, according to the Orlando Sentinel. “I’m happy for the players and I’m happy for UCF. A victory like this has been a long time coming.”
Looking ahead
Jenkins finished with nearly 300 passing yards, completing 25 of 41 throws for 297 yards according to the Orlando Sentinel, while ClutchPoints credited him with 293 yards. Hornes hauled in six receptions for 137 yards for the Knights, who outgained BYU 463 yards to 373 yards overall, ClutchPoints reported. Bachmeier ended the night with 257 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception, while BYU receiver Kyler Kasper caught six passes for 129 yards and a touchdown, according to Sports Illustrated.
The victory lifts UCF to 4-3 on the season as the Knights prepare to take on Baylor next week. For BYU, now 6-1, the defeat dashes any hopes of an unblemished season and significantly narrows its margin for error in the Big 12 race. Head coach Kalani Sitake’s squad will attempt to rebound on Halloween against Arizona State.
