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52m ago

UCF Routs North Carolina 34-9 as Jackson Shines in Knights' 3-0 Start

The lopsided result intensified scrutiny of Bill Belichick's transition to college after an earlier rout by TCU.

UCF Knights quarterback Tayven Jackson (2) makes an adjustment to the play at the line of scrimmage during the second half of the football game against Jacksonville State at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)
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Overview

  • Tayven Jackson threw for 223 yards and accounted for passing and rushing touchdowns, including a late-first-half strike to Kylan Fox that pushed the lead to 20-3.
  • UCF forced two first-half interceptions on tipped passes and limited the Tar Heels to 217 total yards while controlling possession with multiple long scoring drives.
  • North Carolina starter Gio Lopez exited in the third quarter with a right-leg injury and was carted off, and Max Johnson came on to throw the team’s lone touchdown.
  • The Knights added rushing scores from Myles Montgomery and Jaden Nixon and closed the game with an 18-play, 93-yard, 10:36 march to seal the outcome.
  • UCF improved to 3-0 as North Carolina fell to 2-2 and 0-2 against Big 12 opponents; UCF’s official account posted a trolling graphic as UNC enters a bye before Clemson and UCF visits Kansas to open Big 12 play.