UCF puts up 73 points on Bethune-Cookman in season opener
· Yahoo Sports
ORLANDO — Alonza Barnett III made his UCF debut, leading the Knights to a 73-6 victory over Bethune-Cookman on Thursday night, setting a program record for largest margin of victory.
Barnett, who transferred from James Madison in the offseason, threw for 158 yards and a touchdown. He added a rushing touchdown as the Knights scored on their first three drives and 10 of 12 overall.
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Running back Duke Watson took UCF’s second offensive play 64 yards for a touchdown for the Knights’ first score. Jayden Williams returned a Tyler Jefferson interception 47 yards for a touchdown, and Barnett capped off the scoring in the first quarter with a 5-yard run for a 21-0 lead.
The victory eclipsed a 64-point win over Grand Valley State in 1987 when UCF was still in Division II. The 73 points tied the program record set in a 2017 victory over Austin Peay during coach Scott Frost’s second season with the Knights.
Bethune-Cookman scored on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Joel Morris to Kobe Stewart on the game’s final play.
Quarterback Alonza Barnett III has an easy first test for the Knights, throwing and running for a touchdown Thursday night.Everybody eats
UCF had nine players score and sat many of its starters after the first drive of the second half. The Knights played four quarterbacks.
Watson, a Louisville transfer, led UCF on the ground with 110 yards on seven carries. Landen Chambers, who previously played at Central Arkansas, rushed for 56 yards on six carries with two touchdowns, including a 29-yarder. Agyeman Addae added a 39-yard touchdown run.
Jonathan Bibbs, who spent last season at Louisiana-Monroe, scored on a short touchdown pass in the second quarter. Third-string quarterback Rocco Marriott finished a drive in the fourth quarter with a sneak at the goal line.
Hunting for turnovers
One of Knights’ stated goals for the season was to increase their takeaways. They had two against the Wildcats after totaling only 14 last season to rank 94th in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Williams’ interception return score was the first for the Knights since Nov. 7, 2025, against Houston. UCF also picked up a fumble when Aymeric Koumba recorded a strip sack for Horace Lockett to recover.
Opening night mastery
UCF won its opening-night game for the 11th straight season. It has won its season opener in 20 of the past 22 seasons, including 11 straight on Thursday night openers.