UCF Q&A: How have the Knights developed an offensive mindset?

As Oregon’s offensive coordinator, Scott Frost helped turn the Ducks into one of the country’s most explosive offenses. He brought those same ideas to UCF when he first took over the program in 2016.

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In this second stint with the Knights, Frost has embraced a more collaborative approach to play-calling by sharing responsibilities with offensive coordinator Steve Cooper. While the staff develops the game plan with input from various coaches, Frost and Cooper now share in-game calls.

Such was the case in the last-second win over Kansas on Saturday.

“He did a great job again,” said Frost. “He called the fourth-quarter drive and got us in all those right plays at the end to win the game. Our whole staff is doing a good job. I love the guys that I have and they’re getting the most out of these (players).”

“We try to get as many of the calls squared away before the game’s ever played. That’s a big piece,” said Cooper. “Credit to the staff. We break up all the situations as a staff and everyone has ownership in certain areas, whether it’s red zone, short yardage, two-minute or two-minute in a game.”

UCF marched 67 yards in the final minute before Alonza Barnett III found tight end Caden Piening in the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown with one second left on the clock, setting up Will Stone’s game-winning extra point, 33-32.

Giving up some play-calling duties has freed Frost to be more involved on the sidelines with other parts of the game. But he reiterated that he’ll remain involved in offensive play-calling.

“That’s how I got here was being an offensive guy,” said Frost. “It’s hard to let pieces of it go. There will never be a day where I’m not involved in it. I believe in what I can do and what I can offer as help, and I’ll keep doing it.

“There’s a lot to do when you’re the head coach and if you’re the head coach and offensive coordinator, there’s even more to do, so we’ll continue to share it as a collaboration.”

How has offensive line battled over the past few games?

UCF’s offensive line has had its highs and lows over the past three weeks.

The unit was stellar in the Knights’ 39-31 double-overtime win over then-No. 2 BYU, allowing just a sack and 3 tackles for loss. But against Baylor, the line gave up a season-high in sacks (7) and TFLs (12). Even in the win over Kansas, the group allowed four sacks and 11 TFLs.

“I’m not going to get down on a group when they kept Alonza clean on that last drive; it was the difference,” said Frost. “If you add those stats with any two-game set, it’s not going to look very good. But I’ve got a lot of faith in those guys.”

Frost points to injuries on the offensive line as one struggle.

“We’ve had to have some guys step up and we’ll keep looking for the right formula and answer,” he said.

Guard Owen Spell is out for the season while center Jacob Maiava continues to work his way back after a series of injuries.

“We’ve just been doing stuff with way more attention to detail and really building the culture around this offense,” tackle Preston Cushman said of the unit.

What’s the latest injury updates?

Running backs Duke Watson and Landen Chambers left the game against the Jayhawks with injuries, and their status is unknown heading into Saturday’s matchup with Arizona State.

Watson left the game in the first quarter and was later carted to the locker room. He was later seen on the sidelines in street clothes with a boot on his right foot. Chambers left the game late in the fourth quarter.

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Frost hopes linebacker Lewis Carter, who has missed six games with an undisclosed lower-body injury, could return this weekend.

“I really got my fingers crossed for Lew this week,” said Frost. “I didn’t think it was going to be this long a deal, but every injury responds differently. He’s been a huge part of our team we haven’t had.”

The Big 12 releases its first player availability report of the week starting on Wednesday.

What does Frost think of ending Big 12 Championship game?

The expansion of the College Football Playoff to 24 teams in 2027 sadly means the end of conference championship games. The SEC, ACC, Big Ten and Big 12 announced this would be the final season for their respective title games.

“It’s kind of sad that conference championships will go away, but if we’re focused on expanding the playoffs and it becomes more like the NFL model with multiple teams getting into the playoffs, then conference championships probably not as important,” Frost said on Monday.

“I guess I’m for it. Twenty-four teams is going to give the Big 12 a chance to get more teams in the playoffs.”

UCF, which hasn’t played for a conference championship since it was in the American in 2022, most likely won’t get a shot at the Big 12 title game in Dallas next month.

Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram at @osmattmurschel. Email: [email protected]. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.

Up next

What: UCF (5-4, 3-3 Big 12) vs. Arizona State (5-4, 3-3 Big 12)

When: 3:30 p.m., Saturday

Where: Acrisure Bounce House Stadium

TV: ESPN2

Favorite: UCF by 3 points

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