Over the past eight weeks, UCF and Oklahoma State have combined for just one win.
This week could be the last chance for both teams to pick up a win this season when they face off in Orlando on Saturday.
The Cowboys (1-9, 0-7 Big 12) haven’t done much this season since they fired longtime coach Mike Gundy in September and have yet to beat an FBS team, losing nine straight games. Oklahoma State is one of two teams in the bottom six nationally in offensive and defensive scoring.
Oklahoma State had a promising outing last week against Kansas State, trailing 7-6 early in the fourth quarter. But Zane Flores threw two interceptions, including one in the fourth quarter as Oklahoma State faced the Kansas State 27, in what became a 14-6 loss.
“You do whatever it takes to get there and then you turn it around. You’re not going to beat too many teams doing that,” interim coach Doug Meacham said Monday. “…But I’m proud on a lot of levels, a lot of different things, and I wish we could find a way to break through.”
The Knights (4-6, 1-6) continued to struggle offensively in their 48-9 loss to No. 6 Texas Tech on Saturday. UCF was held under 300 yards for the third straight game as the defense allowed a third straight 400-yard game.
Quarterback Tayven Jackson struggled, passing for just 178 yards, the fifth time in his last six games that he has thrown for fewer than 200.
Substitute Davi Belfort saw some game action, but was mostly used as a threat on the field. Two weeks ago, he had 36 rushing yards against Houston and four yards without a pass attempt against the Red Raiders.
Coach Scott Frost hinted he might give Belfort more opportunities and use him more to mix up UCF’s offense.
“Davi will continue to improve in everything he does as he gets more reps,” Frost said Monday. “It hasn’t been entirely fair of him to put him in the situation he’s in without getting a lot of reps over the course of this year…but Davi is capable of running our entire offense.”
The Knights beat the Cowboys in their last game, a 45-3 game in 2023.
–Field level media
