ALL PHOTOS BY FABIO GALIZIA
UCF’s annual Space Game turned into a rough night as Baylor routed the Knights 41-9 last Friday at the Acrisure Bounce House.
Another Big 12 opponent came to town for the 10th annual Space Game, and UCF took the field under the primetime lights in its new Space U uniforms. This year’s version featured a crisp white base, USA-themed patches, and the baby blue that seems to find its way onto the uniforms every year.
With Halloween 24 hours away, the stands were full of costumes too. Astronauts, aliens, and enough Star Wars characters filled the seats to make it feel like a galaxy far, far away.
UCF sits about 37 miles from Kennedy Space Center, which makes the Space U look more than a clever uniform. The Knights wear it once a year to honor the university’s deep ties to NASA and the space program, where countless UCF alumni work. The university also offers degree programs dedicated to space exploration.
The Knights came in on momentum after upsetting No. 2 BYU 39-31 in double overtime the previous Saturday. UCF turned to Keyone Jenkins at quarterback, hoping to keep the good times going, but the offense never got started. UCF had just 77 yards at halftime, according to Nicholson Student Media, with several early three-and-outs. Jenkins threw an interception in the first quarter, and Baylor’s Devon Jordan picked him off to set up the Bears’ first score. Baylor led 20-6 at halftime.
Jenkins went 14-of-21 for 82 yards before leaving with an apparent lower leg injury in the third quarter, according to ESPN. Alonza Barnett III, who was back from a hamstring injury, replaced him and finished 8-of-16 for 133 yards. His 67-yard completion to Josh Derry was the Knights’ longest play of the day.
Baylor quarterback DJ Lagway went 16-of-25 for 319 yards and four touchdowns, according to ESPN. He threw touchdown passes to Tony Livingston, Gavin Freeman and Matthew Klopfenstein. Freeman’s 77-yard score put the Bears up 34-6.
The one bright spot for UCF was kicker Will Stone, who made field goals of 39, 57 and 35 yards. His 57-yarder, just before halftime, was the longest in school history, according to Nicholson Student Media.
Baylor improved to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the Big 12. UCF fell to 4-4 and 2-3. The Knights travel to Kansas next Saturday at 3:45 p.m.
Despite the theatrics, the uniforms, the fireworks, and a crowd that came ready for liftoff, the Knights never got off the ground. Not even Space U can escape gravity.
