UCF’s homecoming game just got a lot bigger.
The Knights will host No. 2 BYU fresh off the Cougars’ 28-24 upset win over Notre Dame.
When asked during his Monday press conference how he helps his players not get overly motivated to face the No. 2 team in the country, UCF head coach Scott Frost didn’t seem too concerned.
“It’s homecoming,” he said. “It’s the Big 12. Everyone’s pretty close. I think BYU is obviously the best of the bunch. There’s a case to be made for some of the other teams as well, but I think they’ve done a really good job.
“They’re big, long and physical. They’ve got a really good quarterback. There’s no holes. They’re solid players all around. They know what they’re doing. They’re well coached. It’s a great opportunity for us when we get home to go take our shot and I think our kids will be excited.”
Frost became attached to the Big 12 while watching BYU’s win over Notre Dame, he said.
“I think it was a really good win for BYU and for our league,” he said. “I was happy for Kalani and this group. It looked like a special environment. A really good game against two really good teams, and BYU came out on top. It was good for the Big 12.”
BYU is the highest-ranked team UCF has ever hosted, surpassing the No. 6-ranked Texas Longhorns in 2007, according to On3.
“I think BYU deserves to be ranked where it is,” Frost said. “I think it should be based on your record and your wins and losses, and they’ve won everyone they’ve played. So, they deserve it right now.”
Areas for improvement at UCF
UCF starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III has missed the last four games with a hamstring injury and is expected to miss the game against BYU, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Keyone Jenkins started in place of Barnett.
The Knights just finished their bye week and are 3-3 on the season with wins over Bethune-Cookman, Georgia State and TCU and losses to Pittsburgh, Houston and Oklahoma State. Of UCF’s three losses this season, two have been by 10 points or fewer.
“We played well enough to win, but we didn’t play well enough to win,” Frost said. “I’m happy with our team’s effort. I think we can find a little more. That’s part of the reason I want them to be fresh. But when you think you’re giving everything you’ve got, usually there’s more.”
Frost attributed it to mentality and injuries.
“When we find ourselves in situations where we’re ahead or have a chance in the fourth quarter, we can’t play like we did,” he said. “That’s where it has to get really intense and our guys have to look for opportunities to make plays and make a few more.”
“…We had several opportunities where we can make a play here or there that would have turned a few of those plays around. I want our guys to look for those opportunities.”
Facing the Bear Bachmeier
Frost praised BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier, calling him one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Against UCF last year, Bachmeier completed 21 of 25 passes for 289 yards and a touchdown.
“Bear played really well against us,” Frost said. “He’s played well since he’s been here. He’s unique because he can really throw, but he’s big and he can take off and run when he needs to. They have some options with him and you know they’re counting on him to do it when they need to make a play.”
Frost added that his defense will have to make some plays to keep Bachmeier and BYU’s offense off the field.
He also called BYU the “deepest team” UCF has faced so far this season.
“I think they’re taller and longer than some of the other teams we’ve played,” he said. “It makes it difficult to get the ball up the middle, to stop the run just with their size and the depth they can throw to you.
“I think there’s a lot of good teams in this league and there’s not a lot of difference between them. But there are some really unique things about BYU that make them really good.”
A look back at the last match between BYU and UCF
When asked about last season’s 41-21 loss at Provo, Frost first credited the environment at BYU.
“It was a fun game,” he said. “What a cool environment there. I take my hat off to them because not only is it a good team, but also because their fans were great. It was just a good environment. I think their players are good people. The coaches are good people. It’s a fun game to play because of some of those things.”
UCF had a 14-0 lead before BYU scored its first touchdown of the game in the second quarter. On the Knights’ next drive, wide receiver Duane Thomas Jr. threw an interception on a trap play.
UCF maintained its lead after a missed field goal by BYU, but their luck quickly changed. Their next three possessions ended with punts, including one that BYU returned for a touchdown, giving BYU a 31-14 lead.
The Knights were never able to recover.
“If you want to have a chance against a team like this, you have to play well in all three phases and play well for four quarters,” Frost said. “We played a really good first quarter and played well other times, but we were a little outnumbered and outgunned last year. And I think we’ve gotten better. So we’ve got to try to get the same kind of start and keep it going for four quarters.”
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