Gridiron Clash: A History of BYU vs. UCF Football

The BYU Cougars and the UCF Knights have faced off on the football field, creating a series of memorable moments. This article delves into the history of their matchups, highlighting key games, individual performances, and the overall trajectory of this intercollegiate rivalry.

Series Overview

BYU leads the overall series with a 3-1 record. These contests have showcased moments of dominance, resilience, and dramatic shifts in momentum, offering fans a captivating narrative.

Game Results

UCF's Last Win: October 9, 2014 (31-24 in OT)
BYU's Last Win: October 26, 2024 (37-24)

Key Games and Moments

October 26, 2024: BYU Cougars 37, UCF Knights 24

BYU started fast, grabbing a 21-0 first-quarter lead before cruising to a 35-10 halftime advantage. Isaac Rex caught two of Wilson’s three passing TDs, finishing the day with a team-high 96 yards on five catches.

November 29: BYU Cougars 41, UCF Knights 21

UCF's football season ended Saturday, Nov. 29. Despite jumping out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, the Knights fell 41-21 to No. 11 BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The Cougars (11-1, 8-1) will play in the Big 12 championship game next week.

After the Knights scored 14 points in the first quarter, BYU outscored them 41-7 the rest of the way. Will Ferrin capped a seven-play scoring drive with a 50-yard field goal, extending the Cougars lead.

Kalani Sitake rolled the dice on fourth-and-three from UCF's 46-yard line and cashed in with a Bear Bachmeier touchdown pass across the middle to Parker Kingston. Kingston has 163 all-purpose yards, including a 55-yard punt return touchdown earlier in the quarter. BYU has scored on each of its last four possessions.

BYU is running away from UCF, taking a 31-14 lead on a 55-yard punt return touchdown by Parker Kingston. The Cougars have scored 31 unanswered points since the 3:39 mark of the first quarter.

BYU continues to grind down UCF's defense, polishing off a 10-play, 75-yard drive with LJ Martin's third rushing touchdown of the day. The Cougars lead 24-14 with 8:54 left in the third quarter, scoring the game's last 24 points. Martin is up to 77 yards on 18 carries, while Bear Bachmeier is 14-of-16 passing for 189 yards. Carsen Ryan leads all receivers with 74 yards on four catches.

Will Ferrin split the uprights with a 26-yard field goal, and BYU closed the first half with 17 unanswered points - and the lead. The No. 11 Cougars were on top of upset-minded UCF 17-14 with nine seconds left in the second quarter. Bear Bachmeier was 11-of-13 passing for 152 yards, but Keli Lawson's second sack of the half limited the damage to three points. UCF ran 10 plays in the second quarter and gained only 16 yards. Tayven Jackson was 12 of 17 for 130 yards, hitting Dylan Wade and Agyeman Addae for touchdowns in the first quarter.

BYU has knotted the score at 14 apiece with 4:54 left in the second quarter, thanks to LJ Martin's second 1-yard rushing touchdown. Carsen Ryan set the Cougars up with a 20-yard reception.

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BYU capped off a nine-play, 65-yard drive with LJ Martin's 1-yard dive up the middle, but UCF led the No. 11 Cougars 14-7 with 13:34 left in the second quarter. Martin set up the score with a 15-yard pickup on a speed option two plays earlier. Carsen Ryan had the longest gain of the drive with a 26-yard reception.

UCF found the end zone on both of its first-quarter drives, taking a 14-0 lead over No. 11 BYU after 15 minutes. Tayven Jackson completed 10 of 12 throws for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Dylan Wade and Agyeman Addae were on the receiving end of Jackson's scores. Bear Bachmeier was 3 of 3 for 42 yards, while the Knights have limited LJ Martin to 7 yards on four carries.

Tayven Jackson found Agyeman Addae all alone in the flat for a 20-yard touchdown pass, doubling UCF's lead to 14-0 with 3:39 left in the first quarter. The Knights have gained 142 total yards, in addition to forcing BYU into a three-and-out on its opening possession. Tayven Jackson is off to a sizzling start, completing 10 of 12 throws for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Addae, a true freshman from Miami, began the season as UCF's No. 5 running back.

Tayven Jackson fired a 4-yard playaction pass to Dylan Wade, ending an 11-play, 75-yard march down the field that ate more than 5½ minutes off the opening-quarter clock. Jackson connected on 7 of 8 throws for 70 yards, including a key third-down toss across his body to Waden Charles. Myles Montgomery rushed twice for 17 yards.

BYU won the coin the toss and deferred to the second half. UCF's offense started at its own 25-yard line following a fair catch on the opening kickoff. Kickoff temperature was 41 degrees.

Additional Game Notes

The Knights (5-7, 2-7) now have a nine-game road losing streak dating back to the middle of last year.
It's the third consecutive losing season for UCF - something the program has not done since making the leap to the FBS, then known as Division I-A, in 1996.

Team Overviews

BYU Cougars

The BYU Cougars have been a consistent force. The Cougars finished a particular season 11-1, with their only loss coming in a 22-17 setback against then-No. Aggressive play-calling and a balanced attack have often defined their victories.

UCF Knights

The UCF Knights have experienced highs and lows. The Knights (5-7, 2-7) experienced a nine-game road losing streak. It's the third consecutive losing season for UCF - something the program has not done since making the leap to the FBS in 1996.

Player Highlights

Several players have left their mark on this rivalry.

Tayven Jackson (UCF): In one game, Jackson completed 10 of 12 throws for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter.
Agyeman Addae (UCF): Scored his first career touchdown in a game against BYU.
LJ Martin (BYU): Rushed for three touchdowns in a single game against UCF.
Isaac Rex (BYU): Caught two touchdown passes and recorded 96 receiving yards in a game.
Parker Kingston (BYU): Had a 55-yard punt return touchdown and 163 all-purpose yards in a game.

Coaching Perspectives

Scott Frost's return season with UCF ended with a 5-7 record. Johnny Dawkins era, one of the most important results on UCF’s NCAA Tournament résumé, the Knights blasted No. 19 BYU, 97-84, at the Marriott Center to complete a Utah road sweep and move to 20-7 overall and 9-6 in Big 12 play. BYU fell to 20-8, 8-7.

Dawkins praised Stillwell’s work guarding AJ Dybantsa, who still finished with 29 points and eight rebounds, but was forced into tough stretches early before scoring more freely late, well after the game was decided.

Injuries and Availability

Injuries have played a role in shaping the outcomes of games.

UCF: Several players were ruled out for a game against BYU, including backup quarterbacks Cam Fancher and Jacurri Brown, starting center Carter Miller, and others.
BYU: Chase Roberts, a top deep threat, was a game-time decision due to a hamstring injury in one instance.

Game Day Atmosphere

The environment at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah, is known for its passionate fans. The kickoff temperature for one game was 41 degrees.

Predictions and Betting Odds

Before one game, the betting odds favored BYU by 17½ points, with an over/under of 47½.

Basketball clash

In one of the biggest victories of the Johnny Dawkins era, and unquestionably one of the most important results on UCF’s NCAA Tournament résumé, the Knights blasted No. 19 BYU, 97-84, at the Marriott Center to complete a Utah road sweep and move to 20-7 overall and 9-6 in Big 12 play. BYU fell to 20-8, 8-7. In a building packed with 18,062 fans and just days after BYU knocked off No. 6 Iowa State, UCF came out with force, playing its way into a dominant first-half cushion that proved too large for the Cougars to erase.

Themus Fulks finished with 24 points and 11 assists (plus four rebounds), while Jordan Burks matched him with 24 points and hit 4-of-7 from 3-point range. Chris Johnson scored 9 points on 3-of-6 shooting from three and added 4 assists. George Beale Jr. scored 10 points off the bench. Carmelo Pacheco added 6 points (2 threes).

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