UCF QB Alonza Barnett III Expected To Miss Multiple Weeks
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The UCF Knights will be without their star quarterback, Alonza Barnett III, for multiple weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury in Saturday's loss to the Pittsburgh Panthers, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.
Thamel said the injury occurred late in the fourth quarter, which explains why backup Keyone Jenkins took the field on UCF's final play.
Barnett's return timetable is uncertain, putting the Knights in a difficult position heading into Big 12 play after the final nonconference game against the Georgia State Panthers on Saturday.
The James Madison transfer became the program's highlight addition during January's transfer portal cycle. He brought two seasons of elite quarterback play, including helping the Dukes make their first College Football Playoff appearance as a No. 12 seed.
Many media outlets tabbed him as one of the top transfers in the Big 12, and he was named to multiple watch lists before Week 1.
Barnett's dual-threat skill set fit coach Scott Frost's offensive scheme, which favors mobile quarterbacks. The redshirt senior has 344 passing yards and two touchdowns, and 22 rushing yards and one touchdown throughout the season.
Injuries to the quarterback room last season played a significant role in the Knights' weekly inconsistency. Cam Fancher, Tayven Jackson, Jacurri Brown and Davi Belfort received legitimate snaps.
Jenkins is expected to hold down the starting position until his teammate returns from injury. He offers real starting experience as Florida International's No. 1 in the last three seasons.
The FIU transfer threw for 1,742 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions last season, and added 132 yards and five touchdowns on 51 carries.
He's the best-fit backup for the Knights, providing a similar skill set, and the team's offense could carry on without a significant drop-off.
Jenkins has the opportunity to ease into the starting position facing Georgia State. The Panthers went 1-11 last season, making the Knights an overwhelming favorite to end nonconference play 2-1.
UCF needs to stay afloat without Barnett to keep its bowl hopes alive and overwrite its past losing seasons. The program has a 7-20 conference record and missed a bowl game in the past two seasons.
Barnett will sit on the sidelines and take mental notes on his team's performance, much like he did during spring camp. The coaching staff took a cautious approach to handling his minor injuries, and several months later, the worst-case scenario happened.
Losing Barnett could shift the season's expectations, and Jenkins has a heavy burden to keep the ship afloat for multiple weeks.
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