UCF Wins Hard-Earned 17-10 Victory Over Jacksonville State to Open Coach Scott Frost’s Second Tenure
By Space Coast Daily // August 29, 2025
victory marked Frost's 20th career win at UCF
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – In a marathon game marked by two quarterbacks, a lengthy weather delay, and more than five hours of play, UCF edged Jacksonville State 17–10 on Thursday night at FBC Mortgage Stadium, launching Scott Frost’s second stint with the Knights on a victorious note.
The contest was delayed for two hours and seven minutes due to severe weather, but UCF’s depth and composure helped them power through. The Knights posted 422 yards of offense while holding Jacksonville State to 322, making key plays in crunch time to secure their 300th program victory.
Quarterback Tayven Jackson entered early in the second quarter after starter Cam Fancher was sidelined with an injury following the delay. In his UCF debut, Jackson delivered an efficient outing, completing 17 of 24 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns.
“I’m just glad we came out of it with a win,” Jackson said. “At the end of the day, that’s what matters most.”
Running back Myles Montgomery added balance with 79 rushing yards on 21 carries and another 71 yards receiving. His versatility kept drives alive and gave the Knights steady offensive momentum.
The game’s pivotal moments unfolded in the fourth quarter. After both teams traded field goals, Jackson connected with Dylan Wade for a 40-yard touchdown, giving UCF a 10–3 lead. Jacksonville State answered to tie the game midway through the quarter, but the Knights closed strong.
With less than two minutes remaining, UCF’s defense stepped up when Jayden Williams stuffed JSU running back Cam Cook on a fourth-down attempt. The turnover set the stage for Jackson’s game-winning drive.
Starting at their own 36-yard line, the Knights marched 64 yards in just 32 seconds. Jackson scrambled for 15 yards to extend the drive, then found DJ Black on a 33-yard touchdown pass that sealed the win with just over a minute left.
The defense held firm in the final moments to preserve the victory. The win extended UCF’s streak of season-opening wins to 10 and marked their 11th straight Thursday night triumph — the third-longest such streak in FBS history.
For Frost, the night was also personally significant. The victory marked his 20th career win at UCF and stretched his winning streak with the program to 14 games.
UCF will continue its season next week as Big 12 play looms, but Thursday’s hard-fought win offered a promising start to a new chapter under Frost.
