UCF OC Steve Cooper Wants To Get Playmakers Involved

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The UCF Knights' passing game has lagged behind its dominant running game in non-conference play, and offensive coordinator Steve Cooper wants to change that heading into Big 12 play.

Alonza Barnett III and Keyone Jenkins have thrown for 472 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions throughout three games.

UCF's rushing attack has tallied 684 yards, nearly 1.5 times more, and 11 touchdowns. Duke Watson leads the group with 297 yards and three touchdowns, including two 60-yard runs in Weeks 1 and 3.

That discrepancy creates an overreliance on one method of attack, and it showed in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Panthers.

Pittsburgh, a notoriously stout run defense, held UCF to 20 yards. The Knights relied on the passing game, and Barnett struggled to complete intermediate passes or overthrew his receivers, leading to a season-low seven points.

Jenkins displayed those same weaknesses against Georgia State last Saturday. He threw for 86 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

It was the FIU transfer's first start, as Barnett is out for multiple weeks with a hamstring injury, so there is an adjustment period.

Cooper is aiming to balance UCF's attack against the TCU Horned Frogs on Saturday. He wants to get the playmakers involved early and help Jenkins ease into his role during the season's toughest stretch.

"We now need to set up the personnel and the plays to get those guys touches," Cooper said during Tuesday's media availability. "And here we are in Big 12 play. So that's been a point of emphasis on the offense to make sure the guys that we're expecting to make plays try to get them involved a little bit earlier."

The Knights have a revamped receiving corps, one capable of making backbreaking plays in the deep passing game.

Monmouth transfer Josh Derry lit the FCS with his speed, tallying 1,123 yards (14.78 yards per catch) and 13 touchdowns on 76 receptions. He earned an All-CAA First Team honor for a stellar junior season.

Derry told reporters in spring camp how he got the moniker "Scary Derry." He said coaches feared his breakaway speed on deep routes or yards after the catch.

Freshman Tyren Hornes has also appeared to be a favorable deep threat this season. His impressive spring and fall camp performances have earned legitimate playing time in the first three weeks, and the trend could continue in conference play.

Hornes is 6 feet tall and possesses similar breakaway speed to burn defenders and make spectacular catches.

UCF needs to rely on its passing game more and execute at a high level to compete against tougher opponents. A balanced attack forces defenses to respect both the passing and run game, which could give Watson more opportunities to rack up yards against great run defenses.

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