UCF football injury report updates status of key starters before Texas Tech game
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
UCF football won’t be at full strength against No. 6 Texas Tech, but it could’ve been worse.
Five starters left the Knights’ loss to Houston last week, and head coach Scott Frost didn’t provide much of an update during his weekly press conference Monday, Nov. 10.
But none of those five was listed as out on the Big 12’s initial availability report released Wednesday night.
Of the five that exited against Houston, defensive back Braedan Marshall is doubtful to suit up while running back Myles Montgomery and edge rushers Nyjalik Kelly and Malachi Lawrence are questionable.
Quarterback Tayven Jackson did not appear on the report, meaning he is clear to play.
He led UCF on all but the final drive before Davi Belfort subbed in. The redshirt freshman charged the Knights into field-goal range but threw an interception on their last offensive snap, sealing Houston’s 30-27 victory. Frost turned to Belfort because Jackson had a hamstring injury and he wanted a QB with a better chance of eluding the blitz.
Another player who left against the Cougars, reserve linebacker Jayden McDonald also fell into the questionable category.
The Knights will be without at least five players.
Quarterback Cam Fancher remains sidelined after suffering a rib injury against Cincinnati on Oct 11. Running back Stacy Gage will also sit out, leaving UCF with only one scholarship running back against the Red Raiders if Montgomery misses.
Tight end Caden Piening and offensive linemen Carter Miller and Keegan Smith will also not play.
Texas Tech also had five players listed as out.
UCF transfer Lee Hunter, a defensive tackle, is questionable. He contributed two tackles and a sack in a home win over BYU last week and was made available to the media Tuesday.
Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez joined Hunter with a questionable tag. Rodriguez enjoyed a huge day against BYU, registering 14 tackles, a sack, an interception and a fumble recovery. He shared Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors with Knights safety Phillip Dunnam, who grabbed three INTs.
Quarterback Behren Morton is probable.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Lubbock, Texas. The contest will air on Fox.
Before then, the Big 12 will continue nightly availability reports and issue a final version 90 minutes prior to the game.
UCF football injury report vs. Texas Tech
Out
- QB Cam Fancher
- TE Caden Piening
- RB Stacy Gage
- OL Carter Miller
- OL Keegan Smith
Doubtful
- DB Braedan Marshall
- LB TJ Bullard
Questionable
- EDGE Nyjalik Kelly
- RB Myles Montgomery
- LB Jayden McDonald
- EDGE Malachi Lawrence
Probable
- TE Thomas Wadsworth
- K/P Mason Denaburg
Texas Tech football injury report vs. UCF
Out
- DL Skylar Gill-Howard
- WR T.J. West
- WR Leyton Stone
- WR Roy Alexander
- OL Hunter Zambrano
Questionable
- DL Lee Hunter
- LB Jacob Rodriguez
Probable
- QB Behren Morton
- LB John Curry
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF Knights football vs Texas Tech injury report for Big 12 game
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos