Knights open Big 12 play at home, their first time in four seasons

Photo courtesy of Aryah Britt

The Knights are seeking to learn more about themselves as they begin conference play and host the TCU Horned Frogs this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at the Acrisure Bounce House.

The matchup will be the second contest between the two programs all-time.

The last time the Knights (2-1, 0-0 Big 12) faced the Horned Frogs (2-1, 0-0 Big 12) was Sept. 14, 2024, when the Knights opened conference play with a 35-34 road win.

UCF will head into this game with senior Keyone Jenkins at quarterback for the second week in a row.

Head coach Scott Frost told reporters Monday that they will roll with Jenkins for the foreseeable future.

“We’re going to ride with [Jenkins] if we can,” Frost said. “I do trust the other guys and we’re going to get them ready too, but I also don’t want to be juggling people at that position.”

In terms of readiness, Frost said the team has faced enough challenges to prepare them for conference play and highlighted the similarities between UCF and TCU’s season so far.

“I’d say our season and TCU’s has been pretty close,” Frost said. “We both played a tough game and lost a close one. We both probably played an opponent that we both had advantages over and did what we were supposed to do and then played a good group of six teams.”

In the Knights’ upcoming matchup, they will look to improve defensively after allowing nearly 500 yards of total offense against Georgia State last Saturday.

The Knights allowed 203 yards on the ground, including a huge 78-yard rushing touchdown by running back Qwantavius Wiggins, and 282 yards through the air by quarterback Cameran Brown.

The Knights will also look to contain TCU quarterback Jaden Craig, the current leader in passing yards in the Big 12.

The Horned Frogs also gained firepower for their offense as receiver Jordan Dwyer returns in the conference opener this weekend, according to TCU head coach Sonny Dykes.

Dwyer hauled in 54 catches for 730 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

The Knights also need to stay strong for all 60 minutes of the game. Although the Knights allowed 323 yards of offense in the first half against the Panthers, they cut that in half in the second, only allowing 162 total yards.

Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch told the media Tuesday that consistency on defense will be emphasized daily in practice, instilling a ‘practice how you play’ mentality.

“I think it starts in practice, making sure there’s a mentality that a play that you want to make on Saturday is a play that we got to fight to make on a Tuesday,” Grinch said. “There’s only one version of these guys good enough to play in the Big 12, and it’s physical, fast, disciplined, and detailed. Anything short of that is not good enough.”

Junior edge rusher Sincere Edwards said the biggest thing he’s learned from this team heading into conference play is their ability to fight back from adversity.

“I learned that this team has a lot of resilience; I feel like we’ve been tested in all kinds of ways so early in the season,” Edwards said. “I just feel like we’re not backing down from no one or anything and we can fight.”

With conference play now only a few days away, the message throughout the offseason is being put to the test as UCF looks to earn its respect.

Frost said opening conference play at home gives them a chance to show that.

“It’s just another opportunity,” Frost said. “Our team has a chance to earn it every week and earn some respect and earn what we want from our season.”

With improvements on both sides of the ball looking to be made and showcased, the Knights will try to open conference play on a strong foot against TCU at the Acrisure Bounce House this Saturday at 3:30 p.m.