By : Ethan Horner
(Photo/Sabri Haidar- The Mojo Network)
The Frost era at UCF kicked off again last night, but it didn’t come without some turbulence. What was expected to be a smooth debut turned into a gritty, weather-delayed battle that left fans with more questions than answers. Coming into the matchup as 21-point favorites over Jacksonville State, UCF was expected to cruise in front of the home crowd. Instead, the Knights were forced to grind their way to a 17-10 victory against a Gamecocks team that refused to go away.
It wasn't all bad news in Orlando. UCF may have found its new starting quarterback in Indiana transfer Tayven Jackson. Making his Knights debut, Jackson delivered an efficient performance, completing 17 of 24 passes for 282 yards and 2 touchdowns. His poise in the pocket and ability to stretch the field gave the Knights much-needed sparks throughout the night, and he looked like a player who could grow into the leader of Frost’s offense. In the fourth quarter, with the game tied and just one minute left on the clock, UCF faced a critical 3rd-and-9. Everyone in the stadium expected a conservative run call, but offensive coordinator Steve Cooper went bold, dialing up a play-action shot play. The gamble paid off, as Tayven Jackson dropped back and delivered a perfect strike to wideout DJ Black, who hauled it in for the game-winning touchdown.
For Scott Frost, the win was a reminder of the work still ahead, but also a glimpse of potential. If Jackson continues to develop and the offense cleans up its mistakes, UCF could turn this shaky opener into a valuable building block for the rest of the season. A victory is a victory, but UCF knows this wasn’t the statement performance they wanted. With bigger challenges looming on the schedule, the Knights will need sharper execution—but with a promising quarterback under center, there’s reason to believe the Frost era might heat up quickly.