UCF Q&A: What are Knights’ plans with slew of injuries at QB and RB?

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When UCF was preparing to take on Navy and its vaunted triple-option offense during the 2017 season, coach Scott Frost surprised many of his players and some of his assistant coaches by stepping in to run the scout team that week.

Frost had been a master of the option offense under legendary Nebraska coach Tom Osborne, winning a national championship with the Cornhuskers in 1997.

It all worked out as the Knights cruised to a 31-21 win over the Midshipmen.

Eight years later, UCF finds itself razor-thin at quarterback with Tayven Jackson and Davi Belfort as the only scholarship players available for this week’s game against Oklahoma State on Saturday.

Frost said he and the coaching staff are looking at options in case of injury, although he jokingly ruled out a return for himself and former UCF quarterback and now quarterbacks coach McKenzie Milton.

“I’m only 50 and KZ, if we don’t ask him to run with his knee. I’m really excited to have him in there,” Frost joked before answering the question.

“We’ve talked about that and we’re going to talk about it more and make sure somebody gets the appropriate reps to go in and be able to function, if need be.”

Long-time walk-on Brock Hansel is also available if needed, but Frost may also look at the roster to find someone else if needed.

“That could be an option. Obviously, we have three quarterbacks left and that’s the first option, but you never know what can happen and we’ll probably need somebody else who can at least take a snap.”

Frost indicated backup quarterbacks Cam Fancher (broken rib) and Jacurri Brown (strained AC joint), who have both missed multiple games while rehabbing from injuries, would be unavailable this week and most likely would be out for the remainder of the season.

A hamstring issue has hampered Jackson, who clearly wasn’t 100% in the 48-9 loss at No. 6 Texas Tech on Saturday, while Belfort saw limited action in the first half.

“One of the things in last week’s game is we just wanted to try to do the best we could, to get guys out of the game healthy. We’re down to two quarterbacks right now, with Tayven and Davi, and it’ll be that way this week as well.”

How has running back Agyeman Addae stepped up?

Quarterback isn’t the only position dealing with the injury bug.

Myles Montgomery was a game-time decision on Saturday, but the senior running back found himself unable to go against the Red Raiders.

“Obviously, I wanted to be out there playing,” Montgomery said on Monday. “I didn’t get into this to be a fan, but I was just doing what I do best: lead the best I can and be a good teammate off the field.”

UCF coach Scott Frost sees Oklahoma State as a big game for Knights

Montgomery’s absence left the Knights with just senior Jayden Nixon and freshman Agyeman Addae as the only running backs to receive carries.

The 5-foot-9 Addae finished with a season-high 30 yards on four carries against Texas Tech.

“We were expecting Agye to probably be our No. 5 [running back] going into the season and he’s found himself the No. 2 now,” said Frost. “He did well with the opportunities he had. He’s still learning, but we’re certainly glad we have him and he’s going to be a key part of this going forward.”

Added Montgomery: “I call him my son. I’m very proud of him. I said before, he’s way better than I was as a freshman.”

Montgomery isn’t certain if he’ll play this Saturday, waiting to see what the training staff has to say about his status.

What about the status of Carter Miller, Chris Domercant?

While the official player availability reports aren’t available until Wednesday, Frost indicated that UCF will be without center Carter Miller, who missed Saturday’s game against Texas Tech. Cam Kinnie replaced him.

Meanwhile, receiver Chris Domercant, who was knocked out of the game in the fourth quarter after colliding with Red Raiders linebacker Bryce Ramirez, remains uncertain for Saturday’s game against the Cowboys.

“We’ll see. He got hit pretty good and he’s in a [concussion] protocol and getting checked by doctors,” said Frost. “He’s got a chance, but we’re certainly going to err on the side of caution with things like that.”

Domercant is fourth on the team in receiving yards with 212.

How has culture played a big part in UCF’s season? 

While it’s too soon for a post-mortem on this season, Frost believes the Knights have shown improvement despite the overall record.

“We’ve made progress because of a lot of the things that we’ve done from a culture standpoint, but there’s also no magic button to push to make it all work. That’s a process,” said Frost. “The guys that we have have come a long way. I felt like I inherited a group where there wasn’t a lot of a feeling of team. We’ve come a long way with that, but we still have a way to go.”

Montgomery sees the program trending in the right direction, noting that the team was in most of their games.

“Other teams that we’ve lost to already went through a coaching change, a whole new team, they’re on Year 3. We’re in Year 1 and giving a run for their money. X’s and O’s have nothing to do with how much money someone’s making. It has nothing to do with how good a uniform looks. It’s strictly on culture.

“We have an excellent foundation for that and the young guys know what to do or not to do and how it looks and all they have to do is keep doing this and the sky’s the limit.”

What does Scott Frost think of former Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy?

Oklahoma State fired legendary coach Mike Gundy after a 1-2 start to the season.

While Frost said he didn’t know Gundy well, he respected what he was able to accomplish in the 21 seasons with the Cowboys.

“That’s an awfully good run to be in one place as long as he was and it’s not very often in this business that things you get to go out on your own terms and things end well,” said Frost. “I hope everybody looks back on his career and the success he has and sees what a good run he had at Oklahoma State. That’s how history will remember him.”

Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.

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