In a dominant performance that reinforced their College Football Playoff aspirations, the No. 11 BYU Cougars kept their record unblemished with a commanding 37-24 win over UCF in Week 9 of the Big 12 season. Led by quarterback Jake Retzlaff, who threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns and added another score on the ground, BYU (8-0, 5-0 Big 12) showcased both offensive firepower and clock control, holding possession for nearly 40 minutes.
BYU wasted no time establishing their control, scoring the game’s first 17 points and putting UCF on their heels. Retzlaff’s leadership was evident as he orchestrated an efficient offense that capitalized on each possession, striking a balance between the pass and the run to keep the Knights’ defense guessing. His first major connection came just before halftime, when he hit Chase Roberts for a 62-yard touchdown pass with only 27 seconds left, pushing BYU to a 14-point lead.
A standout performance in BYU’s win came from their rushing corps, as the Cougars outgained UCF 480 to 379 total yards. Running back LJ Martin carried the ball 15 times for 101 yards and a touchdown, while teammate Hinckley Ropati added 83 yards on 13 carries, combining for a ground game that kept UCF’s typically fast-paced offense off the field.
One of the game’s biggest highlights came in the second quarter when BYU executed a daring trick play on a field goal attempt. Holder Sam Vander Haar threw the ball between his legs to kicker Will Ferrin, who ran it for an eight-yard gain and a first down. The drive eventually ended with one of Ferrin’s three field goals, further extending BYU’s lead and underscoring their versatility.
Despite UCF running back RJ Harvey’s valiant effort, where he rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns, the Knights struggled to mount a comeback. Harvey’s stellar day included a 54-yard run to set up his first score, and he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the second consecutive season, becoming the first UCF player to do so since Marquette Smith in the mid-1990s. However, UCF’s air attack faltered, with quarterback Jacurri Brown throwing for just 96 yards and two interceptions. Freshman Dylan Rizk provided a late spark with 102 passing yards and a touchdown, but it was too little, too late.
BYU’s victory keeps them in the Big 12 title race and enhances their College Football Playoff chances. In week 10 BYU has a bye week, where as UCF will host Arizona.
