ORLANDO — Scott Frost found plenty of room for improvement after UCF’s 2025 debut against Jacksonville State. Those lessons are a little more fun to teach, however, when the end result is still a win.
“At times, we showed flashes of what we can be. But it wasn’t consistent enough,” Frost said. “Just the details and fundamentals need to keep improving, and we’re going to spend a lot of time on that the next couple weeks.”
UCF (1-0) will aim for back-to-back victories inside the Acrisure Bounce House at 7 p.m. on Sept. 6 when it hosts North Carolina A&T (0-1). The Knights have not lost to a Football Championship Subdivision team since 2015.
The Knights comfortably dispatched opponents hailing from A&T’s conference — the Coastal Athletic Association — in each of the past two seasons, crushing Villanova and New Hampshire by a combined score of 105-17.
Here’s a scouting report for Saturday’s showdown, including predictions from The News-Journal’s UCF beat writer Chris Boyle, sports editor Chris Vinel and columnist Ken Willis.
UCF vs. North Carolina A&T tale of the tape
UCF endured a two-hour, eight-minute weather delay, and a feisty upset bid from the defending Conference USA champions in its opener. Backup quarterback Tayven Jackson entered in the second quarter, grew into the game and finished 17-of-24 passing for 282 yards and a pair of touchdowns — including the game-winner to DJ Black with 1:03 remaining in regulation.
The Knights’ defense delivered a strong debut under first-year coordinator Alex Grinch. Horace Lockett and Rodney Lora registered a sack apiece, Jayden Williams made a crucial fourth-and-one run stuff in the fourth quarter and Jayden Bellamy secured victory with an interception along the visitors’ sidelines.
Myles Montgomery finished with 150 scrimmage yards, highlighted by a career-long, 64-yard reception. Black and tight end Dylan Wade caught TD passes in their first games as Knights.
Like UCF, North Carolina A&T has struggled since making a move into a new conference. Since joining the CAA in 2023, the Aggies have lost 22 of their last 24 games — including a 24-21 heartbreaker last week versus Tennessee State, their eight straight defeat.
Shawn Gibbs spent a decade in Aggieland as the team’s running backs coach (2011-21), and he returned in December to take the head coaching job after posting a 22-9 record over three seasons at Fort Valley State, a Division II program in Georgia.
Joshua Iseah earned CAA Defensive Player of the Week honors after registering 10 tackles, three tackles for loss and an interception. Wesley Graves ran 14 times for 69 yards and a touchdown, and Braxton Thomas connected on 11 of 13 passing attempts for 169 yards and a score.
UCF vs. N.C. A&T scouting report: What we’re watching
Chris Boyle: Can UCF build upon its fourth-quarter momentum and finish drives?
Excluding the final kneeldown, the Knights had the ball three times in the final period and gained 185 yards — resulting in two touchdowns and a missed 43-yard field goal attempt. Untimely penalties staggered earlier 13- and 17-play drives, both ending in punts inside of Gamecock territory.
UCF offensive coordinator Steve Cooper thinks UCF can build upon a strong finish, one which ultimately turned the tide and prevented a potentially disastrous result.
“I think it’s … organically getting into a rhythm because we’ve played together, and we believe together and we’ve had some success,” Cooper said. “Hard to say what exactly to pinpoint is going to help that continuity; I think it just comes down to confidence.”
Chris Vinel: Can UCF collect an easy win?
The Knights could use one after Scott Frost’s official redebut last week was too close for comfort. This matchup against the Aggies should serve as a nice opportunity for the starters to get into a rhythm just in time to rest for the fourth quarter while the backups and young guys get some reps.
Two years ago, North Carolina A&T played UAB, an FBS program, and lost 35-6. In 2024, it fell to Wake Forest 45-13.
Ken Willis: In the past decade, N.C. A&T has beaten three FBS teams — Kent State, Charlotte and East Carolina. Frost shouldn’t have to motivate his Knights after last week’s close call, but he might as well use this recent history to keep his team’s attention.
General consensus has wins being hard-fought for the Knights this year, and Jax State wasn’t necessarily considered among the tough chores. That’s what should serve as motivation to get better this week and sock away a big win long before any fourth-quarter heroics are needed.
It’s a good thing UCF scheduled another freebie before the schedule takes a turn in Week 3. There’s work to do.
UCF vs. N.C. A&T injury updates
Frost described the quarterback situation as “TBD” during Monday’s press conference with regards to Cam Fancher’s back injury. The redshirt senior left in the second quarter of the Jax State contest after taking a hard hit from blitzing defensive back Tre’Quon Fegans.
During his radio appearance Wednesday on Knight Talk with UCF play-by-play broadcaster Marc Daniels, Frost said, “Right now, it’s trending toward (Fancher) is going to need a week off.” Jackson would be in line for his first start if Fancher is unable to go.
Redshirt senior safety Williams, who earned a game ball for his fourth-down stop, underwent surgery for small fracture in his thumb, Frost said.
“He may miss this week, but we’re going to have him back real quick,” Frost added.
Junior linebacker Lewis Carter is expected to miss the first half, suspended for a targeting call on the last defensive series of the game. Frost said Monday that UCF plans to appeal; if it is unsuccessful, Cole Kozlowski and Jayden McDonald are expected to split first-team reps alongside Keli Lawson.
Freshman running back Taevion Swint remains sidelined with a torn meniscus. Freshman tight end Caden Piening missed the opener with a lingering hamstring injury.
UCF vs. N.C. A&T score predictions, picks
Chris Boyle: UCF 45, North Carolina A&T 7
Chris Vinel: UCF 42, North Carolina A&T 0
Ken Willis: UCF 34, North Carolina A&T 9
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF football vs. N.C. A&T predictions: Can Knights get offense in gear vs. FCS team?
Reporting by Chris Boyle, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
