UCF Beats Kansas 33-32 on Replay-Upheld, Last-Second Touchdown

The victory moves UCF to 5-4 (3-3 Big 12), leaving the Knights one win from bowl eligibility with three games remaining.

Overview

UCF completed a 10-play, 73-yard final drive capped by a 6-yard touchdown pass from Alonza Barnett III to Caden Piening with three seconds left to win 33-32.
The game’s finish featured two end-zone reviews: an overturned Waden Charles catch and a subsequent Big 12 replay center review that upheld Piening’s game-winning reception.
Barnett returned to the starting lineup after a hamstring absence and finished 18 of 31 for 251 yards with two touchdowns and one interception while adding 36 rushing yards.
Kansas rallied from a 19-point third-quarter deficit with 25 unanswered points to take the lead late before UCF’s final possession, dropping the Jayhawks to 3-6 (1-5 Big 12).
The win ended UCF’s 12-game road losing streak dating to Sept. 14, 2024, and highlights the decisive role of the Big 12 replay operations center in late-game outcomes.