Scott Frost's 16-game win streak dating back to 2017 and his first stint at UCF have officially come to an end as UCF suffers its first loss of the 2025 season, losing 34-20 to Kansas State. UCF was without starting quarterback Tayven Jackson for nearly a full quarter as the young gunslinger went out with what looked like an upper-body/shoulder injury early in the second quarter.
It seemed like Jackson's day was done as he came out of the medical tent without pads or a jersey on and came out of the locker room with a sling on his left arm. However, it seemed like a miracle that UCF fans couldn't believe when he came back from the second drive of the second half.
It was a little too late, however, as UCF was down two scores and the offense was struggling to get anything going against Kansas State's standup defense. Plus, the damage that backup quarterback Jacurri Brown did made it an uphill climb as he had an interception in the second quarter that led to a Kansas State touchdown.
UCF just couldn't get out of its own way against Kansas State
Fans can be mad at the refs for letting Kansas State get away with hold after hold on offense, but ultimately, UCF has no one to blame but themselves for this loss. There were too many mistakes that the Knights made that led to this result.
In the second half, when Jackson was back in, the Knights decided to go for it on a 4th and 2 with Brown back in the game. It ended in Brown not converting, but fumbling the ball after getting the first down, giving the ball back to the Wildcats.
Luckily, Kansas State didn't score on that play, but it took crucial minutes off the clock for the Knights. Then, as UCF was trying to make it a one-score game, Jackson lost track of the game clock and had two delay of game penalties that stalled a promising touchdown drive. The Knights had to settle for a field goal, and quarterbacks coach McKenzie Milton gave Jackson an earful.
Ultimately, UCF had another fumble and interception in the game, and with four turnovers, no one can expect two in a game.
UCF will now have to head back to Orlando and back to the drawing board as they welcome the team just down the road from Kansas State, the Kansas Jayhawks, to Orlando in Week 6. The Jayhawks are coming off are also coming off a close loss to Cincinnati this week.
UCF and Kansas are set to kickoff at 7:30 p.m. EST at Acrisure Bounce House.