UCF stumbles in the second half again, losing at No. 18 Oklahoma State
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STILLWATER, Okla. — It’s a feeling that’s all too familiar for UCF.
For the first 30 minutes, the Knights matched up well against a top-25 opponent, then stumbled again in the second half. Like last week against Houston, hope for a different outcome faded fast.
Drew Mestemaker found the end zone three times as No. 18 Oklahoma State pulled away with a 42-28 win at Boone Pickens Stadium on Saturday.
UCF (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) lost its second straight game, extending its road losing streak to 12. It’s the second-longest losing streak in program history, behind a 15-game stretch that ran from the 2003 to 2005 seasons.
UCF’s defense made an immediate impact, forcing a takeaway on the second play. Cornerback Antione Jackson knocked the ball loose from Oklahoma State running back Caleb Hawkins, and edge rusher Isaiah Nixon recovered it at the OSU 25.
This marked the Knights’ 11th takeaway of the season.
Taking advantage of the Cowboys’ miscue, UCF quarterback Keyone Jenkins faked a handoff to running back Landon Chambers on a crucial third-and-goal at the 1-yard line. Jenkins found former Oklahoma State transfer tight end Grayson Brousseau wide open in the end zone for the touchdown.
It was the fourth straight game in which the Knights scored on their opening drive.
Oklahoma State responded on its next possession with an impressive 75-yard drive capped by an 11-yard run by Mestemaker. It was his second rushing touchdown of the season.
UCF went to work on its next possession, moving the ball downfield quickly. Jenkins delivered a perfect pitch to receiver Josh Derry on a jet sweep, and Derry zigzagged into the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown, putting the Knights up 14-7.
Mestemaker picked up where he left off, moving the Cowboys downfield efficiently before tight end Morgan McPhaul scored in a 1-yard touchdown run to tie the game.
UCF, meanwhile, struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the second quarter. The Knights had possession twice but failed to cross midfield on either drive, resulting in two punts.
Oklahoma State’s offense was humming as Mestemaker threaded the needle to receiver Justin Bowick for an 18-yard touchdown, giving the Cowboys their first lead of the game, 21-14. It was Mestemaker’s 12th touchdown pass of the season.
With about two minutes left in the first half, the Knights got the ball and drove down to the OSU 3 with 16 seconds left. Jenkins then found Tyren Hornes on a quick pass for a touchdown to tie the game.
After a UCF punt to start the second half, Mestemaker got back to work, driving Oklahoma State deep into Knights territory. But after failing to convert on third-and-10, the Cowboys settled for a 40-yard field goal by Sam Keltner to retake the lead at 24-21.
The Knights put together a methodical drive that took more than 12 plays and lasted more than six minutes, but kicker Will Stone missed a 45-yard field goal that would have tied the game. It was Stone’s first miss of the season.
Sam Keltner kicked a 29-yard field goal to extend Oklahoma State’s lead to 27-21 with 12:11 left.
On UCF’s next possession, Jenkins’ screen pass landed behind the line of scrimmage, where safety Evan Jackson picked it up and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown. Oklahoma State made the two-point conversion to extend the advantage to 35-21.
After UCF failed to convert on a fourth-and-1, the Cowboys scored again when Wyatt Young caught a 5-yard pass from Mestemaker for a touchdown, giving the Cowboys a 42-21 lead.
Jenkins found tight end Caden Piening open for a 4-yard touchdown pass with under four minutes left for the final margin. It was Jenkins’ fourth touchdown of the game.
He 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.
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