UCF played perhaps its most complete game of the season as the Knights rolled up a season-high 578 yards of offense, cruising to a 45-13 win over West Virginia on Saturday.
The victory snapped a three-game losing streak and a six-game streak against Big 12 opponents. It was the first win in the month of October since defeating Cincinnati on Oct. 29, 2022.
The Knights have an off week before hitting the road to take on Baylor on Nov. 1. In the meantime, here’s a look at five key takeaways from UCF’s huge win.
UCF played perhaps its most complete game of the season as the Knights rolled up a season-high 578 yards of offense, cruising to a 45-13 win over West Virginia on Saturday.
The victory snapped a three-game losing streak and a six-game streak against Big 12 opponents. It was the first win in the month of October since defeating Cincinnati on Oct. 29, 2022.
The Knights have an off week before hitting the road to take on Baylor on Nov. 1. In the meantime, here’s a look at five key takeaways from UCF’s huge win.
The off week comes at a good time for quarterbacks
UCF’s quarterback room has become a MASH unit this season with Cam Fancher, Tayven Jackson and Jacurri Brown all suffering injuries at one point or another.
Fancher, who started last week against Cincinnati, suffered a broken rib during the loss to the Bearcats and was ruled out for the game against the Mountaineers. He was replaced by Jackson, who was back in the starting lineup after missing last week’s game while recovering from a strained AC joint in his left shoulder.
Meanwhile, backup Jacurri Brown, who has been out since suffering a strained AC joint against Kansas State on Sept. 27, was listed as the emergency quarterback against WVU.
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)
Show Caption
1 of 38
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)
That left fourth-stringer Davi Belfort as the backup this week. Belfort finished with 65 total yards of offense while scoring his first touchdown of the season on a 10-yard run in the fourth quarter.
“I can’t tell you how much respect I have for him,” Frost said of Fancher. “He has a couple of broken ribs. We didn’t know about it till mid-week. He practiced with it. He finished the game with it. So it says a lot about how tough he is. Jaccurii was an emergency [QB] for us. He’s still not quite ready to go, but he would have gone in if we really needed it.”
Knights exert pressure up front
After failing to register a sack against Cincinnati last week, UCF feasted on a banged-up West Virginia offensive line to the tune of 7 sacks.
It was the most sacks by the Knights since totaling 7 in a 47-13 win over Marshall on Nov. 3, 2007.
“Those guys haven’t had a ton of opportunities to rush the passer and I’m not making excuses for them,” said Frost. “Our first game, we played a team that didn’t throw it very much and the second game, they didn’t throw it very much. Kansas State was a little heavier run and then Cincinnati got ahead of us, and that was more of a run game.
“This is the first time we’ve been ahead in the game and put the other team in a position where the quarterback needed to throw it. Then we can let our guys hunt for sacks.”
Edge rusher Malachi Lawrence, who led the two with two sacks, had a pair of sacks on Saturday, while fellow edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly added a sack, as did linebacker Cole Kozlowski and tackles Derrick LeBlanc and RJ Jackson Jr.
Short yardage is still a struggle.
UCF continued to struggle in short-yardage situations.
Twice on Saturday, the Knights faced a 4th-and-1 situation and failed to convert.
On a 4th-and-1 at their own 39-yard line in the first quarter, running back Myles Montgomery was stopped, forcing the Knights to turn the ball over on downs. West Virginia took advantage of the field position as backup quarterback Khalil Wilkins scored on a 6-yard touchdown run.
Later in the second quarter, UCF faced another 4th-and-1 at the WVU 13 and brought in a jumbo package. Montgomery took the handoff and was stopped at the line of scrimmage.
“We’ve got to get short yardage figured out,” said Frost. “We just didn’t execute very well on a couple of the runs. Now, if you tell me we’re going to go for it on four fourth downs and score touchdowns on two of them, I would probably take that. But we’ve got to be able to line up and run the ball and get a yard.”
UCF converted on just 3 of its 6 fourth-down attempts last week against Cincinnati, with several of those on fourth-and-less than 3 yards.
Turnovers are crucial for defense
UCF’s defense managed its first takeaway since the Kansas State game on Sept. 27.
Kelly stripped the football out of the arms of Mountaineers quarterback Khalil Wilkins in the third quarter and the ball bounced into the hands of linebacker Keli Lawson, who sprinted 32 yards for a touchdown.
It was the first fumble recovery for a touchdown since the 68-7 win over North Carolina A&T on Sept. 6.
“The defense has been playing really good for a while,” said Frost. “This was their most complete game, starting with the fact that a play like that changes the game. It was still a ball game when we got Nyjalik, he got a strip and Keli took it back and that blew it open. That group is starting to come together and play as a unit.”
The program is 13-11 over the past three seasons when the defense forced at least one takeaway and just 1-6 when failing to get a turnover since joining the Big 12 in 2023.
Knights hope to carry momentum into the remaining five games
Frost believes the win on Saturday could do wonders for the team moving forward.
“This team believes and they’re going to keep fighting, regardless of one game or another,” said Frost. “I’ve told you guys that the last couple of weeks, this team’s starting to come together. The vibe in the building and the locker room was really good. They believe they needed a win to really boost that belief.”
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.