Kansas’ defense stymies UCF to escape with 27-20 win

By Canadian Press on October 4, 2025.

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Kansas’ defense came up with two decisive plays near the goal line, setting up the Jayhawks’ go-ahead touchdown with a strip sack and fumble recovery to stop UCF on three consecutive plays from the 1 with less than two minutes remaining to help Kansas beat the Knights 27-20 on Saturday night.

Kansas’ Trey Lathan recovered a fumble at the 2 late in the third quarter off a strip sack from Jalen Dye, setting up the go-ahead 2-yard touchdown run from Leshon Williams. Lathan then tackled Cam Fancher on fourth-and-goal from the 1 with 1:47 to play to help the Jayhawks (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) secure the victory.

UCF drove to the Kansas 22, but four straight incompletions that included a pass breakup in the end zone by Austin Alexander, ended the Knights’ final threat.

Kansas needed to erase an early 14-0 lead from UCF (3-2, 0-2) after Myles Montgomery and the Knights ran all over the Jayhawks in the first half.

Montgomery rushed for 99 of his 110 yards in the first half, scoring two touchdowns to stake the Knights to an early lead. But Kansas held UCF to only 122 yards in the second half, giving the Jayhawks the cushion to climb back into the game and take the lead.

Jalon Daniels led the charge for Kansas, throwing for 235 yards on 18-for-26 passing. Williams rushed for 58 yards and three touchdowns for the Jayhawks.

UCF’s Tayven Jackson finished with 97 yards on 14-for-23 passing. He left the game after his turnover and came out of the locker room with his left arm in a sling.

Fancher, who started UCF’s opening game against Jacksonville State before leaving with an injury, completed 8 of 14 passes for 79 yards.

Memorializing Coach Clark

Both teams stayed on the field after pregame warmups for a moment of silence to recognize UCF offensive line coach Shawn Clark. Clark passed away two weeks agoa after a medical emergency. He joined UCF’s staff after five years as the head coach at Appalachian State.

The Takeaway

Kansas: The Jayhawks have been known for their offense throughout the season, but their defense stepped up in a big way to stymie the Knights.

UCF: The Knights will again face quarterback questions after Jackson left the game with an injury and he also left last week’s game with a shoulder injury. Backup quarterback Jacurri Brown also missed the game with a shoulder injury.

Up Next

Kansas travels to face No. 11 Texas Tech on Saturday.

UCF hits the road to face Cincinnati on Saturday.

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Philip Rossman-reich, The Associated Press

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