UCF secured a signature victory on Saturday, October 24, 2026, by defeating No. 2 BYU 39-31 in a double-overtime contest in Orlando. The win represents the highest-ranked victory in UCF program history and the team's first ever win against an AP top five opponent.
Keyone Lyghtz Jenkins, playing in just his fifth game as the primary signal-caller following Alonza Barnett III's injury on Sept. 12, completed 25 of 41 attempts for 293 yards and four touchdowns. Jenkins led an eight-play scoring drive in the second overtime to clinch the win, finishing the game with no turnovers.
Freshman wide receiver Tyren Hornes recorded a career-high 137 receiving yards on six receptions. Senior wideout Josh Derry contributed a 25-yard touchdown pass to Jenkins to force double overtime and notched his third consecutive game with a touchdown catch.
The Knights' defense held the Cougars to just 10 points in the second half. After BYU took a lead during the first overtime, the UCF defense denied the Cougars on four consecutive plays from the eight-yard line to secure the result.
Junior running back Duke Watson finished with 94 rushing yards, marking his third game of the year with over 90 yards. Landen Chambers contributed a rushing touchdown and a touchdown reception during the contest.
This victory marks UCF's fourth AP top 10 win and 11th overall ranked win. The program's previous highest-ranked win was a 52-42 victory over No. 6/5 Baylor in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1, 2014. This game was the first for the Knights to require overtime since their win over No. 16 Memphis on Dec. 2, 2017.
