Breaking down the Bearcats opponent: UCF Knights

While the rivalry has no official name, Cincinnati and UCF have had many a battle since the two

programs joined the American in 2013. Since 2015, the two have played each year, with each

team taking five games.

This go around; the two programs appear to be on two different trajectories. UCF is in a

rebuilding phase in Year 1 in the second tenure of Scott Frost, and Scott Satterfield has the

Bearcats trending upwards in Year 3.

After picking up two straight signature wins against Kansas and Iowa State, Cincinnati is one of

the hottest teams in the Big 12. UCF will come in looking to pull off the upset and end that.

So, what will this year’s iteration of the Golden Knights look like? Cincinnati fans might

recognize a few of these guys as well.

Quarterback

Indiana transfer Tayven Jackson has seen the lions’ share of snaps through five games but left

the game against Kansas. He was seen on the sideline with his left arm in a sling and X-rays

would return negative, but his status for next week is still uncertain. If Jackson is ready to go, he

will almost certainly start. Through five games, he’s got a 64.5 completion percentage with three

touchdowns and an interception.

If he does miss the game, the likely starter is FAU transfer Cam Fancher. Fancher was ranked as

the 81st best quarterback in the transfer portal after an up and down career at Marshall and FAU. He’s

been fine when he’s played this year, completing 13 of 23 throws with no touchdowns or picks.

He’s not too bad of a runner either with a career 3.4 yards per rush.

Running Back

I said at the beginning that Cincinnati fans will remember a face or two from this roster, and this

is the first. Myles Montgomery played in parts of two seasons for Cincinnati primarily as a

backup. He had 80 carries across 2022-23, averaging a very good 7.5 yards per carry. After

backing up current Denver Bronco RJ Harvey last year, he’s the full-time starter for the first time

in his career.

Already, Montgomery has the most carries he’s had with 73. With this obviously comes

regression to a more attainable mean, with a career-low yards per carry of 5.2. This is not to say

he’s had a bad season, however. He’s 5 th in the Big 12 in rushing yards with 378, including 229

in his last two games against Kansas and Kansas State.

Wide Receiver

Duane Thomas Jr has been the man this year for the Knights, already surpassing a career-high in

receiving yards with 245. He’s also been used some as a mini-gadget player, lining up otuside, in

the slot, and even at running back with five carries.

DII Limestone University transfer DJ Black isn’t far behind Thomas with 209 yards. Unlike

Thomas, he has two touchdowns while Thomas has none. At Limestone, he amassed 939 yards

and 11 touchdowns.

One other wide receiver is above a hundred yards: Florida transfer Marcus Burke. Like many

other players on the roster, Burke is already setting a new career-high with 118 yards.

Tight End

Kylan Fox was the 12 th -ranked tight end in the country by ESPN in 2024, and decided to commit

to UCF. He was used sparingly as a freshman, catching three passes for 22 yards. He’s stepped

into the starting role well this year with 13 catches for 118 yards.

Offensive Line

Left tackle Paul Rubelt is viewed as a veteran leader for the Knights, playing in his fifth season

with the program. He was a Preseason All-Big 12 third team member by Phil Steele as well.

Gaard Memmelaar probably has about as perfect a name you can have for an offensive guard. He

looks the part, too, with his 6’4 310 lb frame. He comes in from Washington where he was a full-

time starter for the Huskies.

Center Carter Miller has been a longtime Sun Belt starter, starting for both James Madison and

Louisiana-Monroe. He was ranked as a four-star transfer by 247Sports and decided to come to

the Big 12 this offseason.

Right guard Keegan Smith steps into a full-time starter role after being a backup in 2024. He’s

another transfer, coming by way of Central Michigan.

To round out the offensive line, Preston Cushman comes from Ole Miss, where he was primarily

a blocker on special teams. This is his first go as a starter.

Defensive Line

The defensive vs offensive line will be perhaps the biggest reason why either team wins this

game. UCF’s defensive line is very good at getting to the quarterback, and Cincinnati’s offensive

line has only allowed one sack so far through five games, tied for least in the nation.

Redshirt senior Malachi Lawrence has been a master at getting to the quarterback with 12.5

sacks from 2023-24. His two this season are the most on the team. His matchup with Deondre

Buford will be one to watch. Sincere Edwards is another player to watch as a former top recruit

at Pittsburgh.

As a Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team member by Phil Steele, Nyjalik Kelly had lofty

expectations entering 2025. He’s off to a good start this year with 1.5 sacks, 20 total tackles and

a forced fumble.

After being named a Freshman All-American in 2023, defensive tackle John Walker missed all

of 2024 with an injury/ After battling back from that, he’s a full-time starter with 11 tackles from

the interior.

Playing at an even higher level is RJ Jackson Jr. After winning a starting job after coming over

from Tulsa, he already has 15 tackles.

Linebackers

Pretty much the entirety of the linebacker room is made up of transfers. Lewis Carter comes

from Oklahoma, Jayden McDonald and Keli Lawson both come from Virginia Tech, and Cole

Kozlowski is in from Colgate. Carter and Lawson are both top three on the team with 32 and 23

tackles respectively. Kozlowski already has 3 for loss as well.

Cornerbacks

Junior Antione Jackson entered the portal this offseason, but decided to ultimately return to UCF.

He’s already got 22 tackles and a pass breakup.

The Knights’ passing defense has been quite good in 2025, ranking 28 th in the nation with just

178.5 yards per game, the best passing defense Cincinnati has faced since Nebraska (who have

only allowed 98 passing yards per game). Part of this has been Braeden Marshall, who has 13

tackles and an interception so far.

Jayden Bellamy has been one of the best corners in the Big 12 this season in coverage, as evident

by his 88.9 overall garde from PFSN, which ranks fourth in the conference.

Safeties

Phillip Dunnam is on his third school in as many years with UCF. Initially at Indiana and then

FAU, the Miami native stayed in Florida after committing to the Golden Knights. His 28 tackles

rank second on the team.

Alongside Dunnam is fellow FAU transfer Jayden Williams. Williams has been injured for three

games this year, but figures to be healthy against Cincinnati. At FAU, Williams was a team

captain and had 119 career tackles.