This week, the UCF coaching staff delivered a straightforward message to the team: play freely, play quickly and stop worrying about making mistakes.
Although it was a simple directive, it’s one that the players particularly needed to hear, especially while in the midst of a three-game losing streak.
It paid off as UCF jumped out to an early double-digit lead before eventually cruising to an impressive 45-13 win over West Virginia on Saturday at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium.
Tavven Jackson, returning to the starting quarterback spot, threw two touchdowns while the defense held the Mountaineers to just 210 yards of offense.
“Our coaches did a good job this week getting us ready,” said Jackson, who finished 23 of 34 for 277 yards and two touchdowns. “Every position group out there, offense or defense, had a great mindset going into this game. We were prepared because we studied our butts off.
“Coach [Scott] Frost harped on it: just go out there and play free, play fast and don’t worry about messing up.”
The victory ends several frustrating streaks for the Knights: they broke a three-game losing streak, a six-game skid against Big 12 opponents and a nine-game slide during the month of October.
UCF (4-3, 1-3 Big 12) already has equaled its number of wins from last season.
“This one was really important,” Frost said. “We had our chances in the last three and I think if we had played our best, there’s a chance we could have got one or two or more of them, but we didn’t. That’s part of growing up as a football team. But we needed to get back on the right track with some momentum, especially going into the bye week.”
UCF wide receiver Chris Domercant (13) celebrates after a touchdown during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Cheerleaders cheer during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF quarterback Davi Belfort (10) leans into the endzone for a touchdown as West Virginia cornerback Keyshawn Robinson (20) grabs his foot during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. UCF won the game 45-13. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF wide receiver Caleb Rollerson (89) reaches for the pylon after a reception during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. UCF won the game 45-13. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF wide receiver Chris Domercant (dark jersey) hauls in a touchdown catch over West Virginia safety Derek Carter Jr. (left) during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF fans cheer during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF defensive tackle John Walker (behind) hits West Virginia quarterback Khalil Wilkins (14) during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. UCF won the game 45-13. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
West Virginia quarterback Khalil Wilkins (14) scrambles in the grasp of UCF linebacker Lewis Carter (20) during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF athletic director Terry Mohajir, left, congratulates head coach Scott Frost after winning the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. UCF won the game 45-13. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Dancers perform during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF wide receiver Chris Domercant (top) hangs on to a touchdown catch over West Virginia safety Derek Carter Jr. (bottom) during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF receiver Charles Waden screams in celebration during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF running back Jaden Nixon (5) looks for room during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. UCF won the game 45-13. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF defensive tackle Derrick LeBlanc (top) tackles West Virginia quarterback Scotty Fox Jr. (bottom) during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF head coach Scott Frost coaches during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. UCF won the game 45-13. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF quarterback Davi Belfort (10) leaps over defenders during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. UCF won the game 45-13. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF tight end Thomas Wadsworth (84) battles West Virginia safety Jordan Walker (4) for the ball during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. UCF won the game 45-13. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF quarterback Davi Belfort scrambles during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. UCF won the game 45-13. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF defensive tackle John Walker (55) hits West Virginia quarterback Khalil Wilkins (14) during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. UCF won the game 45-13. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF defensive tackle Derrick LeBlanc celebrates during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF quarterback Davi Belfort passes during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. UCF won the game 45-13. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF wide receiver Caleb Rollerson (89) runs after a long pass reception during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. UCF won the game 45-13. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF wide receiver Chris Domercant (top) hangs on to a touchdown catch over West Virginia safety Derek Carter Jr. (bottom) during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF wide receiver Caleb Rollerson (89) celebrates after a long pass reception during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. UCF won the game 45-13. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF quarterback Davi Belfort (10) leaps into the endzone for a touchdown during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. UCF won the game 45-13. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF quarterback Tayven Jackson (2) throws during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
The UCF band plays during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF running back Myles Montgomery is knocked out of bounds during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF athletic director Terry Mohajir yells during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF wide receiver Chris Domercant runs in a catch for a touchdown during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF wide receiver Chris Domercant (top) celebrates with offensive lineman Owen Spell (61) during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF coach Scott Frost coaches during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. UCF won the game 45-13. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
West Virginia quarterback Scotty Fox Jr. (left) is hit during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF fans cheer during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF quarterback Tayven Jackson throws during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF quarterback Tayven Jackson (2) throws over West Virginia defender Curtis Jones Jr. (18) duringf the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF defensive back Antione Jackson (bottom) reaches for the foot of West Virginia quarterback Kahlil Wilkins (14) during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
A fan holds a sign during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
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UCF wide receiver Chris Domercant (13) celebrates after a touchdown during the West Virginia at UCF college football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, October 18, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
The Knights looked impressive in their opening drive, marching 97 yards and capped by a 40-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to redshirt senior receiver Chris Domercant on a 4th-and-4. It was Jackson’s first touchdown pass since the North Carolina game on Sept. 20.
Jackson and Domercant connected again on a 34-yard pass on 4th-and-5 that pushed the advantage to 14-0.
“I just wanted to make a play for my team and for my teammates,” said Domercant, who finished with a team-high 5 catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns.
Injuries forced West Virginia to turn to Scotty Fox Jr. at quarterback and UCF took advantage of the redshirt freshman’s inexperience, sacking him five times. The Knights finished with seven sacks, the most since recording seven against Marshall on Nov. 3, 2007.
A gamble in the second quarter on a 4th-and-1 at its own 39-yard line proved costly as UCF failed to convert, opening the door for WVU as backup quarterback Khalil Wilkins scored on a 6-yard plunge to cut the lead to 14-7.
That was as close as the Mountaineers would get the remainder of the day.
UCF opened the second half with an impressive nine-play, 92-yard drive that was capped by a 12-yard touchdown run by running back Jaden Nixon. It was Nixon’s fifth rushing touchdown of the season, but his first since a 34-20 loss at Kansas State on Sept. 27.
The Knights’ defense stepped up next as edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly ripped the football out of the hands of Wilkins on a 3rd-and-8. The ball bounced into the arms of linebacker Keli Lawson, who raced 32 yards untouched into the end zone for a touchdown and a 28-7 advantage.
It was the first fumble recovery for a touchdown since the North Carolina A&T game on Sept. 6.
“Kudos to the coaches, kudos to my glorious defensive line and kudos to Njalik for getting the ball out,” Lawson said. “[When] you get hit with a blessing like that, you don’t have any other choice but to score.”
Nixon found his way back into the end zone when the redshirt senior took a handoff and raced 83 yards for a score. It was Nixon’s second touchdown run of 80-plus yards this season.
Kicker Noe Ruelas added a 51-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to push the lead to 38-7.
Backup quarterback Davi Belfort, playing in relief of Jackson, scored his first touchdown of the season on a 10-yard run midway through the quarter.
UCF finished with a season-high 578 yards of offense, including a season-best 323 passing yards. The Knights held West Virginia to a season-low 79 passing yards. It was the lowest passing yards allowed by the defense since allowing 40 yards to North Carolina A&T.
Nixon led the team with 116 rushing yards while Myles Montgomery had 88.
Linebacker Cole Kozlowski finished with a game-high 11 tackles, including a tackle for loss and a sack — his second of the season.
UCF was without quarterback Cam Fancher, who, according to Frost, suffered broken ribs during the Knights’ 20-11 loss at Cincinnati last week.
Backup Jacurri Brown, who was listed as questionable earlier in the week, was the emergency quarterback on Saturday. He missed the Cincinnati and Kansas games while recovering from a strained AC joint against Kansas State on Sept. 27.
This was as close to a must-win situation for UCF if it hopes to achieve bowl eligibility this season. Entering this weekend, ESPN’s Football Power Index had the Knights with a 63.5% chance of reaching six wins for bowl eligibility.
According to ESPN’s matchup predictor, the Knights were favored to win against West Virginia (72%) along with upcoming Houston (60.1%) and Oklahoma State (92.1%).
UCF has an off week before traveling to Baylor on Nov. 1.
Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.
Originally Published: October 18, 2025 at 4:42 PM EDT