UCF Q&A: How can the Knights contain TCU’s Jaden Craig?

TCU quarterback Jaden Craig has already had an impressive start to the season.

The Harvard transfer leads the Big 12 in passing, completing nearly 71% of his pass attempts for 903 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception through the first three games. He’s the fifth-highest-graded quarterback in the conference, according to Pro Football Focus, behind Arizona’s Noah Fifita and Utah’s Devon Dampier.

Read more Trump says US and Iranian officials met Tuesday, shortly after warning he may ‘annihilate’ Iran

UCF coach Scott Frost sees many similarities between Craig and Knights quarterback Alonza Barnett III, a transfer from James Madison.

“A lot of those guys relish their opportunity to get a chance at a higher level and they’re perfectly capable of being elite players at this level, too,” said Frost.

It’s the third straight week in which the Knights’ defense will face a talented signal caller, having already faced Pittsburgh’s Mason Heintschel and Georgia State’s Cameran Brown.

Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch points to Craig’s elusiveness as the reason for his early success.

“When you got a quarterback that has pocket awareness and a pocket sense and can make the plays on a sprint out or naked bootleg, it really challenges you defensively,” Grinch said.

Can the Knights limit TCU’s explosive plays?

Georgia State exploited UCF’s defense with explosive plays, posting five passing plays of 20-or-more yards and three runs of 78, 34 and 21 yards on Saturday.

It has to be a concern for the Knights, facing a TCU offense that had seven explosive (20-or-more yards) passing plays in its 31-7 win over Arkansas State last weekend.

“It’s tough against a team with the talent they have,” said Frost. “… If you get an athlete the ball in space, big plays happen. They’re going to be trying to do that. We’re going to be trying to do that and we’ll see how the chips fall.”

Grinch said it’s critical that defenders get the football quickly to prevent a big gain, but he also believes how a team responds to an explosive play is just as important.

“Does one play turn into two?” Grinch said, pointing to his unit’s ability to limit consecutive big plays against Georgia State.

Will the offensive line keep improving?

Injuries have forced the Knights to make several offensive line changes.

Redshirt freshman Jacob Maiava stepped into the center spot while Connor Meadows shifted to right guard, replacing Owen Spell, who has missed time with plantar fasciitis.

The 6-foot-2, 280-pound Maiava drew rave reviews from coaches and teammates.

“He’s a fireball. His energy just permeates throughout the whole offense and offensive line,” said offensive tackle Preston Cushman. “He was just excited to be out there. We know his skill set and he can get it done there on the field.”

It was the highest-graded pass-blocking game of the season, according to PFF, with the Knights allowing no sacks. The unit also powered a ground game that accounted for 304 yards and four touchdowns against GSU.

Read more ‘Run The Damn Baugh’: Gators’ ground game critical in SEC showdown vs. Ole Miss

“You’re lucky if you get through a whole year with continuity on the O-line,” said Frost. “We’ve got to be ready for that. Right now, we’re dealing with some injuries that ideally we wouldn’t have right now.”

How can UCF show improvements on third downs?

UCF converted a season-low 25% (3 of 12) of their third-down opportunities against Georgia State last Saturday. This season, the Knights are converting just 36% (12 of 33), ranking near the bottom of the Big 12.

It’s been a recurring theme for the team, which ranked 102nd in the nation last season in third-down conversions.

“The first thing is we got to get in manageable third downs,” said Frost. “That number gets skewed a little when we’re going for it on fourth down; our play call on third down isn’t to get the first down, but to make a manageable fourth down play.”

It will be another challenge this week as TCU’s defense has allowed teams to convert just 23% on third down.

How can the Knights get Dylan Wade more involved in the offense?

Tight end Dylan Wade has had a quiet start to the season.

Last season, Wade led the team in receiving touchdowns (5) and ranked second in receptions (43) and receiving yards (523).

This season, however, the senior has just three catches for 35 yards despite being targeted nine times — the third most on the team.

Offensive coordinator Steve Cooper agrees that Wade needs a larger role in the game plan.

“We need to get Dylan more involved,” Cooper said. “We need to capitalize on the plays that are already designed to get to him. Whether it’s something that’s not his fault because of a protection lapse or simply better execution. We would like to see him with the ball in space because he’s a good football player.”

Fellow tight end Caden Piening has been targeted three times, catching two passes for 30 yards.

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: TCU (2-1) at UCF (2-1)
When: 3:30 p.m., Saturday
Where: Acrisure Bounce House Stadium, Orlando
TV: FS1
Favorite: TCU by 3 points

Read more Trump administration to remove 760,000 Affordable Care Act enrollees over fraud claims