News Summary
The UCF Knights football team secured a commanding victory over North Carolina A&T with a final score of 68-7. Tayven Jackson made a strong debut as the starting quarterback, contributing significantly with 189 passing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Jaden Nixon set the tone early with a thrilling 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The Knights demonstrated impressive offensive and defensive prowess, highlighted by multiple touchdowns and turnovers. Looking ahead, UCF will prepare for their next game against North Carolina after a bye week.
Orlando, FL – The UCF Knights football team delivered a spectacular performance in their latest outing, decisively defeating North Carolina A&T with a final score of 68-7. The game showcased the debut of Tayven Jackson as the starting quarterback, who had a notable performance with 189 passing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
The Knights wasted no time establishing dominance, with Jaden Nixon initiating the scoring frenzy by returning the opening kickoff for a remarkable 96-yard touchdown. This marked Nixon’s second career kickoff return for a touchdown and the first such return for the Knights since 2017. The early momentum set the tone for the rest of the game.
UCF, which has started the season 2-0 for the third consecutive year, continued to shine under Jackson’s leadership, who stepped in as the starting quarterback due to an injury to former starter Cam Fancher. Fancher was sidelined after sustaining a back injury in the previous game.
Jackson led his team on an impressive eight-play, 64-yard drive, which concluded with a 1-yard rushing touchdown after a significant 49-yard completion to receiver Duane Thomas Jr. Notable was Jackson’s ability to contribute significantly in both passing and rushing, despite expressing the need for team improvement after the game.
Additionally, Jackson’s second rushing touchdown came following a crucial interception by linebacker Jayden McDonald, who picked off a pass from NCAT’s quarterback. The Knights capitalized on defense as well, evidenced by a fumble recovery for a touchdown by Rodney Lora—UCF’s first fumble recovery touchdown since 2023.
UCF’s robust defense was highlighted by Nyjalik Kelly, who registered four tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble, underscoring the team’s focus on generating turnovers. Nixon further extended the lead by adding an impressive 87-yard touchdown run, marking one of the longest runs from scrimmage in UCF’s history.
Throughout the game, UCF’s offense was prolific, accumulating a staggering 560 total yards, of which 356 yards were achieved through rushing. In addition to the touchdowns, Noe Ruelas added field goals from 34 and 36 yards, contributing to the Knights’ commanding score.
In the second half, Jackson was replaced by Jacurri Brown, who made a significant impact by also scoring two rushing touchdowns, demonstrating UCF’s depth at the quarterback position. The game, however, was marred by a one-hour delay due to severe weather, marking the second consecutive game for the Knights that required a weather-related stoppage.
Looking ahead, UCF will enter a bye week before they host North Carolina on September 20, maintaining a strong start to their season and building momentum as they prepare for their next matchup.
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Additional Resources
- News-Journal Online: UCF Knights Football Stats
- Wikipedia: Tayven Jackson
- Orlando Sentinel: Tayven Jackson Named Starting Quarterback
- Google Search: Tayven Jackson UCF
- On3: Tayven Jackson’s First Start
- Encyclopedia Britannica: UCF Knights
- Hoosier State of Mind: Tayven Jackson QB Battle
- Google News: UCF Knights Football
- AtoZ Sports: Tayven Jackson UCF Quarterback Battle
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
