ORLANDO – UCF quarterback Tayven Jackson put together the most complete game of his career, accounting for 289 total yards and two touchdowns as the Knights dominated North Carolina 34-9 Saturday afternoon at Acrisure Bounce House.
Jackson completed 25 of 32 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown while adding 66 rushing yards and another score on 10 carries. Both the completion total and rushing yardage marked career highs for the redshirt junior, who has now led UCF to a 3-0 start for the second consecutive season under Scott Frost.
The Knights controlled the game from the opening drive, marching 75 yards in 13 plays over 6 minutes and 37 seconds. Jackson accounted for 67 of those yards himself, capping the drive with a 13-yard rushing touchdown to the right side. The score marked UCF's second straight game reaching the end zone on their opening possession.
North Carolina's offensive struggles began immediately. On the Tar Heels' first drive, defensive tackle Horace Lockett deflected a Gio Lopez pass at the line of scrimmage, and the ball hung in the air long enough for edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly to make a one-handed interception. The turnover gave UCF possession at the North Carolina 23-yard line.
"The play was caught, Horace Lockett was great with the pressure, slapped it and it just landed in my hands," Kelly said afterward. "I knew I had to catch it for a big play to get the offense back on the field to possibly get points."
The Knights converted the short field into a 36-yard field goal by Noe Ruelas, extending their lead to 10-0 after the first quarter. By that point, UCF had outgained North Carolina 114-2 in total offense.
The second quarter brought more of the same. Ruelas connected on a 41-yard field goal just over five minutes into the period, pushing the lead to 13-0. The Knights had built a 137-2 advantage in total yardage at that point, with North Carolina managing just one first down through nearly 20 minutes of play.
North Carolina finally showed signs of life late in the second quarter, driving to the UCF 12-yard line on a 10-play, 63-yard drive that consumed over four minutes. But the Knights' secondary responded when Jayden Bellamy tipped a Lopez pass and Braeden Marshall secured the interception, his first of the season.
UCF needed just over a minute to capitalize. Jackson completed passes to four different receivers during a six-play, 83-yard drive, finding sophomore Kylan Fox for a 17-yard touchdown with 13 seconds remaining in the half. The score was Fox's first collegiate touchdown and gave the Knights a commanding 20-3 halftime advantage.
"I really liked the intensity our defense came out with to start the game," Frost said. "The good thing on that side of the ball is that we got a lot of guys that can make game-changing plays and impact the game."
The statistical dominance was stark at intermission. UCF outgained North Carolina 209-97, including a 61-29 advantage on the ground. The Knights held possession for 19 minutes and 13 seconds compared to the Tar Heels' 10:47, while converting four of six third-down attempts.
North Carolina entered the game having won two straight, but their offensive execution deteriorated throughout the first half. Lopez completed just 4 of 6 passes for 55 yards and two interceptions before suffering an injury late in the third quarter. The Tar Heels managed only 40 rushing yards on 11 carries in the first half, well below their season averages.
The third quarter began with another North Carolina three-and-out, and UCF nearly extended their lead when the Tar Heels muffed the ensuing punt. Though North Carolina recovered, the Knights had excellent field position at the UNC 36-yard line.
Jackson took advantage, completing passes of 7 and 8 yards to Duane Thomas Jr. and Dylan Wade before breaking loose for a 25-yard run to the UNC 24. Two plays later, running back Myles Montgomery powered in from one yard out for his first touchdown of the season, extending the lead to 27-3.
North Carolina finally answered with their most sustained drive of the game. After Lopez left with an injury, Max Johnson entered and guided a 19-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that consumed 8 minutes and 40 seconds. The drive included three fourth-down conversions, with Johnson finding Kobe Paysour for an 8-yard touchdown with 1:06 remaining in the third quarter. The two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the score at 27-9.
UCF responded by controlling the fourth quarter. The Knights embarked on their most impressive possession of the season, an 18-play, 93-yard drive that consumed 10 minutes and 26 seconds. The methodical march included runs by Jacurri Brown of 14 and 9 yards, while Jackson completed passes of 9 and 14 yards to Thomas Jr. and found Jaden Nixon for 14 yards on fourth-and-four.
Nixon capped the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run with 1:54 remaining, sealing the 34-9 victory and effectively ending any hopes of a North Carolina comeback.
The Knights finished with 366 total yards compared to North Carolina's 217. UCF averaged 5.5 yards per play while limiting the Tar Heels to 3.7. The Knights converted 5 of 13 third-down attempts and went 4-for-4 on fourth down, displaying the aggressive approach that has characterized Frost's tenure.
Jackson's performance was the centerpiece of UCF's balanced attack. He completed passes to nine different receivers, with Dylan Wade leading the way with 5 catches for 47 yards. Thomas Jr. added 5 receptions for 31 yards, while Nixon contributed 4 catches for 41 yards to complement his rushing touchdown.
On the ground, Jackson's 66 yards led a rushing attack that totaled 143 yards on 34 carries. Montgomery added 35 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, while Nixon contributed 10 yards and the clinching score.
North Carolina's offensive struggles were epitomized by their rushing numbers. The Tar Heels managed just 63 yards on 25 carries, a 2.5-yard average that made it difficult to sustain drives. Demon June led with 50 yards on 10 carries, but no other back exceeded 19 yards.
Lopez's difficult afternoon ended with 11 completions on 14 attempts for 87 yards and two interceptions. Johnson provided a spark in the second half, completing 11 of 19 passes for 67 yards and a touchdown, but the deficit proved insurmountable.
Defensively, UCF was led by Lewis Carter, who recorded 10 tackles including a sack and two tackles for loss. The Knights held North Carolina to just 14 first downs and forced two turnovers while allowing only one red-zone score in two attempts.
The victory extended several streaks for UCF under Frost. The Knights have now won 16 consecutive games at home, dating back to last season. They have also opened 3-0 in three of Frost's four seasons, establishing themselves as a consistent program in the Big 12 era.
For North Carolina, the loss dropped them to 2-2 and snapped a two-game winning streak. The Tar Heels will have a bye week to regroup before opening ACC play against Clemson on October 4.
The announced attendance of 44,206 represented a sellout crowd, the first at Acrisure Bounce House since last season's matchup against Colorado. The enthusiastic home crowd witnessed a performance that demonstrated UCF's potential in their second Big 12 season.
"I just have fun coaching here," Frost said. "There's pressure like anywhere else, but it's not the same. It allows me to be better because I can be free to care about the athletes and try to put them in the best position to be successful."
UCF will look to carry this momentum into Big 12 play when they travel to Kansas State next Saturday for a noon kickoff on FS1. The Knights will face their first conference test with confidence after a performance that showcased both their offensive versatility and defensive playmaking ability.
Key Performers
UCF:
- Tayven Jackson: 25-32, 223 yards, 1 TD passing; 10 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD rushing
- Dylan Wade: 5 receptions, 47 yards
- Lewis Carter: 10 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL
- Nyjalik Kelly: 1 interception (first career)
North Carolina:
- Max Johnson: 11-19, 67 yards, 1 TD (second half)
- Demon June: 10 carries, 50 yards; 3 receptions, 8 yards
- Will Hardy: 8 tackles
- Kaleb Cost: 7 tackles, 1 TFL
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