UCF achieved the largest upset in school history by defeating No. 2 BYU 39-31 in a double overtime victory on Saturday at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium. The win, occurring in front of a crowd that eventually stormed the field, snaps a two-game losing streak for the Knights and marks their first victory against a top-5 team.
The game moved into overtime after a series of critical plays. BYU first scored in overtime on a 28-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bear Bachmeier to receiver Legend Glasker. UCF responded on the next play when quarterback Keyone Jenkins escaped a rush and found receiver Josh Derry for a 25-yard touchdown.
In the second overtime, BYU's Will Stone kicked a 26-yard field goal, but a penalty for running into the kicker allowed UCF another possession. Jenkins subsequently connected with tight end Grayson Brousseau for a 4-yard touchdown and then threw a two-point conversion pass to Tyren Hornes to take a 39-31 lead. BYU's final attempt ended when Bachmeier's fourth-down pass to Walker Lyons fell incomplete.
BYU, which is 6-1 and 3-1 in the Big 12, suffered its first loss of the season, ending a seven-game winning streak. The Cougars started the game strong with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Bachmeier to Kyler Kasper in the first quarter.
UCF, now 4-3 and 2-2 in the Big 12, saw several key performances. Running back Duke Watson contributed a 30-yard run to the red zone, and Landen Chambers scored his fourth rushing touchdown of the season on a 2-yard run. Jenkins finished the game with four rushing touchdowns, including a 4-yard dive in the third quarter.
This victory marks the first time UCF has defeated a ranked opponent since beating No. 15 Oklahoma State on Nov. 11, 2023. It was also the program's first double overtime game since beating Memphis in the American Athletic Conference Championship on Dec. 2, 2017. Additionally, receiver Duane Thomas Jr. made his return to action after missing the first six games due to an undisclosed lower-body injury.
UCF is scheduled to host Baylor in the annual Space Game on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
