UCF Q&A: What is the Knights’ offensive identity?

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UCF coach Scott Frost isn’t sure what his offense’s identity is through the first third of the season. All he knows for sure is that it remains a work in progress.

“We’re still learning that, to be honest,” Frost said of the Knights’ offensive identity. “Our offense has been efficient the last two weeks. What’s been crazy is that we’ve had less than 60 plays, three weeks in a row. I’ve never experienced that.”

The Knights ran 53 plays in a 12-7 loss at Pittsburgh, 57 plays in a 44-30 win against Georgia State and 53 plays in a 21-13 win against TCU on Saturday.

UCF is averaging 24 points and 287 yards in those three games, well below the national average of 30.3 points and 398 yards.

“We would like to score more points and get some guys some more touches, but we didn’t snap the ball that many times.”

The average number of plays per game in the Football Bowl Subdivision is 65, according to CFBstats.com, with UCF averaging 55.75 plays per game this season.

Frost credits several factors for the sudden drop in offensive plays.

“Bad weather in one game, short fields in the next and a couple of long touchdowns in that game,” he explained. “In this game, TCU went on a long drive in the second half and didn’t get any points because of an interception.

“There probably haven’t been as many three-and-outs as we want, which would help get our offense the ball back.”

The offense continues to be ever-evolving, according to offensive coordinator Steve Cooper.

“We’re in the end of September, and we’re still growing,” Cooper said. “This is an ascending offense. You’re seeing really positive things in every (position) room. There are certainly things that need to be cleaned up, but we’re not a made product yet.”

Frost, however, isn’t really that concerned about the number of plays.

“I really don’t care as long as the score is on our side at the end of the game,” said Frost. “We’ll keep operating the game as we think is best to give us the best opportunity.”

Can Keyone Jenkins protect the ball better?

Quarterback Keyone Jenkins was nearly perfect in his second start of the season on Saturday, completing a school-record 95% (19 of 20) of his pass attempts for 160 yards with a touchdown.

Where Jenkins struggled was ball security, fumbling twice, including once in a crucial red zone situation.

Frost wasn’t overly concerned about the turnovers.

“On the first one, we ran a quarterback sneak and I thought the (defender) just did a really good job punching it out as he was going down,” said Frost. “The second one’s a bonehead play and I don’t mind saying that because I’ll tell him, too.”

“When we have the ball in the red zone, we can’t get penalties and turnovers. It takes points off the board. He knows that, but we’ll emphasize it to him again.”

Jenkins’ fumble was the first time this season that the Knights failed to score in the red zone.

How will the Knights handle an early kickoff?

A trip to Houston means UCF must deal with a time change for the first time this season thanks to the Central Time Zone. Saturday’s showdown with the Cougars is practically a brunch tailgate, with kickoff set for 11 a.m. CST.

Frost isn’t concerned about the early start time, however, citing the team’s early practices.

“I lived in East Texas for a while and I know how hot it can get there, but we’re kind of used to that,” he said. “We’re a morning operation, so our guys are used to getting up in the morning.

“I talk to guys all the time about whenever they put the ball down, we got to be ready to play. If it’s 11 a.m., it’s 11 a.m. We’ll get home earlier and get some more sleep that night, which is nice.”

Added receiver Josh Derry: “I love playing anytime the ball is spotted.”

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Kickoff for UCF’s next road game against Oklahoma State is also scheduled for 11 a.m. CST.

What’s the latest injury news?

While the Big 12’s player availability report doesn’t come out until Wednesday evening, Frost gave a few injury updates on Monday.

UCF will once again be without a pair of starters as quarterback Alonza Barnett III and linebacker Lewis Carter are both out for this Saturday’s game against Houston. Barnett is dealing with a significant hamstring injury, while Carter has been out with an undisclosed leg injury.

“We won’t have Lewis or Alonza,” Frost said.

Thomas, who’s missed the first four games, is listed as day-to-day.

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

Up next

What: UCF (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) at No. 20 Houston (3-1, 0-1 Big 12)

When: Noon, Saturday

Where: TDCU Stadium, Houston

TV: ESPN2

Favorite: Houston by 12.5 points

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