Jenkins leads UCF past TCU in Orlando thriller

Decisive Victory in Orlando

The UCF Knights secured a 21-13 victory over the TCU Horned Frogs on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Acrisure Bounce House in Orlando, Florida. Before a crowd of 43,212, Orlando improved its record to 3-1, while Fort Worth dropped to 2-2.

First Half Exchange

The contest began with explosive offensive displays from both sides. TCU struck first when Taevion Swint broke loose for a 13-yard touchdown run in the opening period, capped by a Will Stone kick, putting the visitors ahead 7-0.

UCF responded immediately, tying the game at 7-7 late in the first quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run by Jeremy Payne, with Nate McCashland adding the extra point.

The second quarter saw TCU reclaim the lead through special teams. Nate McCashland drilled a 29-yard field goal to make it 10-7 at halftime. However, UCF regained control before the break when Keyone Jenkins connected with Caden Piening on a 19-yard pass. Will Stone’s kick gave Orlando a 14-10 advantage heading into the locker room.

Third Quarter Stalemate

The third quarter was defined by defensive grit and field position rather than scoring. Nate McCashland extended TCU’s deficit slightly with a 45-yard field goal, making the score 13-14. Neither team managed to cross the goal line during this period, setting the stage for a decisive fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter Finish

UCF closed out the game in the final period. Keyone Jenkins orchestrated the offense efficiently, finishing with 160 passing yards on 19-of-20 passing and one touchdown. His precision was highlighted by Josh Derry, who caught three passes for 41 yards. On the ground, Duke Watson contributed 57 rushing yards on 13 carries.

The decisive moment came in the fourth quarter when Landen Chambers scored on a 1-yard run, sealed by Stone’s kick, pushing the final score to 21-13. TCU’s Jaden Craig threw for 310 yards but struggled with efficiency, completing 25 of 40 passes while throwing two interceptions.

Jeremy Payne rushed for 48 yards on 15 carries and scored one touchdown, while Jordan Dwyer led the receiving corps with five catches for 100 yards.

Final Records

With this win, the UCF Knights improve to 3-1 on the season. The TCU Horned Frogs fall to 2-2. The result stands as the final outcome of this regular-season matchup.

Sources

ESPN