UCF comfortable with QB Jenkins and more | 5 things we learned from loss at No. 18 Oklahoma State

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STILLWATER, Okla. — UCF wrapped up the first half of its football season with a disappointing 42-28 loss to No. 18 Oklahoma State at Boone Pickens Stadium on Saturday.

The Knights have now dropped consecutive road games against ranked opponents and are caught in a frustrating 12-game road losing streak that dates back to 2024.

Keyone Jenkins became the first UCF quarterback to throw four touchdowns in a game since John Rhys Plumlee did the same against Temple on Oct. 13, 2022. However, a critical fourth-quarter fumble on a screen pass let the Cowboys seize control.

UCF (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) enters a bye week before hosting No. 8 BYU on Oct. 24.

Here are five things we learned from the Oklahoma State loss:

Keyone Jenkins puts together his best game

Jenkins stepped into the starting job four games ago when starter Alonza Barnett III suffered a significant hamstring injury.

During that stretch, the redshirt senior has completed 69% (79 of 114) of his passes for 764 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions. He went 30 of 42 for 265 yards, with four touchdowns and an interception against Oklahoma State.

According to Pro Football Focus, Jenkins’ performance was his highest-graded of the season.

“‘Lightz’ is getting more and more comfortable, which makes us more comfortable with the game going faster for him,” said coach Scott Frost. “We ‘tempoed’ more and got into formations.”

Jenkins agreed that he’s getting more comfortable in the offense.

“It’s been good following the scheme, staying on track, calling the right plays and making plays as they present themselves, extending plays or getting us to the right check,” said Jenkins.

Offense continues to go deep

The Knights have struggled to develop a deep passing attack through the first six games.

Entering the weekend, Jenkins completed just 25% (4-for-16) of passes that were 20 yards or more in the air, for 113 yards and an interception. On Saturday, he completed 33% (3 of 9) deep throws (20 air yards or longer) for 91 yards and an interception.

“In the second quarter, he hit on those, or he put them in the right place and we got PIs (pass interference calls),” said Frost. “He was hurting a little bit because he thought he could have hit a couple.

“We didn’t bring him in here to be the starter. He’s done an unbelievable job for the situation he was thrust into.”

Defense struggles applying pressure

UCF pressured Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker just 14 times, resulting in a quarterback sack and three tackles for loss.

Mestemaker finished 19 of 28 for 304 yards and two touchdowns and added a rushing score. It was the redshirt sophomore’s fourth straight game with at least 300 passing yards.

“Our defense always plays so solid and (defensive coordinator Alex) Grinch does such a good job,” said Frost.

“We just need to make a few more plays. We need to get a sack on a few more drives. We need to get a tipped ball interception somewhere. We need to make a play on a ball and a glance and a slant. We can’t just bend and not break, particularly not against a quarterback like that.”

Return of LB Cole Kozlowski

Linebacker Cole Kozlowski made his 2026 debut against Oklahoma State after a Florida Ninth Circuit Court judge issued a temporary injunction Friday that granted him an additional year of eligibility.

Kozlowski was a welcome sight for a linebacking unit besieged by injuries, as starter Lewis Carter has been out with a hamstring injury and Jayden Jennings has been dealing with a shoulder injury.

He played 16 defensive snaps Saturday and was also on special teams, finishing with a tackle.

“I just love being around Cole. He was so fired up to play football again,” said Frost. “We were so thin at linebacker; anything he gives us is a boost.”

“It’s really exciting just knowing what he brings to the room and knowing what he did last year,” added linebacker Tackett Curtis.

Bye week comes at a great time

The Knights have been beset by injuries through the first half of the season, losing starters such as Barnett, Carter, wide receiver Duane Thomas Jr., and offensive linemen Owen Spell and Jacob Maiava for extended periods.

With a week off, Frost hopes his team can get healthy and ready for the second half of the season.

“It’s not just the hurt guys; it’s the other guys that we’ve been leaning on that have been playing more reps,” Frost said. “We’ve had some physical games. This bye week comes at a really good time for us to get guys back and get everybody else fresh and ready to go.”

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.

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