UCF Knights Fall Just Short in Thrilling Comeback Bid Against No. 9 Iowa State

In a high-scoring thriller, the UCF Knights put up a strong show and came very close to pulling off a surprising upset over the No. 9-ranked Iowa State Cyclones, losing 38-35. UCF outperformed expectations with a performance that demonstrated their offensive firepower and tenacity, even though they went into the game as 13.5-point underdogs.

The scoreboard is lit up by offensive fireworks.

Explosive plays and momentum swings were on full display during the contest. All night long, UCF’s attack, which was powered by the explosive combination of running back RJ Harvey and quarterback Jacurri Brown, had the Cyclones defense guessing.

Harvey established himself as one of the most productive running backs in UCF history with a remarkable effort in which he ran for 196 yards and two touchdowns. In program history, he was only the fourth athlete to surpass 3,000 career rushing yards.

Brown demonstrated his ability to be a dual threat by rushing for 154 yards and two scores and completing 8 of 20 passes for 62 yards. The Knights were able to stay in the game until the very end thanks to his ability to make plays with both his arms and legs.

A War of Back and Forth

Brown’s 6-yard rush for the game’s first touchdown gave the Knights a great start. Carson Hansen’s 57-yard touchdown run for Iowa State in fast response set the stage for a back-and-forth contest.

During the game, the lead changed hands several times. A blocked punt that Brandon Adams returned for a score put UCF ahead 21–14 at the half. In the third quarter, Brown’s 67-yard touchdown run increased their advantage to 28–14.

But Iowa State put up a fierce fight, headed by quarterback Rocco Becht. Becht narrowed the deficit to 28-27 with a 1-yard touchdown run and a 12-yard touchdown throw with Jayden Higgins.

A Tragic Conclusion

The fourth quarter was an emotional rollercoaster. With just over 11 minutes left, Harvey scored his second touchdown of the game on a 1-yard run, putting UCF ahead 35-27.

Kyle Konrardy’s 30-yard field goal closed the margin as Iowa State refused to give up. Becht orchestrated a game-winning drive in the last minute, which resulted in a 1-yard touchdown run with 30 seconds remaining. After that, he made a 2-point convert to put the Cyclones ahead 38–35.

UCF’s performance against a top-10 opponent was encouraging despite the defeat. It is encouraging for the remainder of the season that they can contend with a team of Iowa State’s caliber.

Gazing Ahead

Now, UCF will focus on their Homecoming matchup with the BYU Cougars, who are ranked 11th. At FBC, the Knights will want to continue on their impressive performance against Iowa State and triumph in front of their home crowd.