Scott Frost knows nobody will feel sorry for UCF’s recent rash of injuries.
No get-well cards or fruit baskets will be delivered to the Knights’ coach as the team prepares for another top-25 road showdown, this week at No. 18 Oklahoma State on Saturday. That’s the business of football — where one team’s luck is another team’s misfortune.
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UCF (3-2, 1-1 Big 12) has struggled with injuries over the past few weeks; more than a handful of players were sidelined for Saturday’s matchup against Houston. The Knights were without four starters: quarterback Alonza Barnett III, right guard Owen Spell, wide receiver Duane Thomas Jr. and linebacker Lewis Carter.
“Some years you get through really clean and other years there’s a rash of things,” Frost said Monday. “Hopefully, we’re through the worst of it. I’m glad we have the depth we have and we’re going to need it.”
On Saturday against Houston, the injury bug struck again as starting center Jacob Maiava suffered a lower-body injury with about two minutes left in the first half. They carted him into the locker room, where X-rays came back OK, according to Frost.
Linebacker Jayden Jennings also left the game with an undisclosed shoulder injury while quarterback Keyone Jenkins — who stepped into the starter’s role in Barnett’s place — battled cramping throughout the second half. Jenkins has also been dealing with a high ankle sprain.
Tight end Dylan Wade has also dealt with an undisclosed injury that has limited him over the past several games.
The injuries were just part of the devastating 27-17 loss at No. 22 Houston on Saturday, in a game in which the Knights held a 17-0 lead with six minutes left in the third quarter. The Cougars scored 27 unanswered points in the final 21 minutes to pull away for the win.
“We played the type of game we wanted and were in the position where we wanted to be. Some of the breaks went our way and you look up midway through the third, and we’re up three scores,” said Frost.
“We can never get the momentum back, particularly with so many guys nicked up or out. That’s football. We got to find a way (to win the game). We’ve got another unbelievable opportunity against a really good team this week.”
Frost remains optimistic that some of those injured players could return sooner rather than later, although he indicated that it’s unlikely Barnett would be back in time for this weekend’s game against the Cowboys. After their visit to Stillwater, Okla., the Knights are off until they host No. 8 BYU on Oct. 24.
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Also expected to miss this Saturday’s game is Carter, who hasn’t played in the past two games for the Knights.
Maiava is questionable this week after suffering what Frost called a soft-tissue injury.
Thomas, who was the team’s leading receiver last season, hasn’t taken the field yet in 2026. His return is possible, with Frost saying there’s “a chance” for a return.
UCF could use some good news this week as the Knights hope to bounce back against an Oklahoma State team that lost its opener to Tulsa before winning its next three games, including an upset over then-No. 5 Oregon, 39-31 on Sept. 12.
The Cowboys (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) have the conference’s top offense, led by North Texas transfer quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who is averaging more than 310 passing yards per game this season.
To make matters worse, UCF has lost 11 straight road contests since 2024, the second-longest streak in the nation, behind Stanford and Ball State, which have both lost 13 in a row.
Still, the Knights remain positive despite the recent adversity.
“Every football team has adversity, whether you’re undefeated or not,” said linebacker Jahleel Culbreath. “We’re football players. We’re grown men. We have to handle adversity. We’re handling it very well in the locker room.”
“These guys aren’t going to fracture. These guys are tight and close-knit,” Frost said of his team. “I don’t think they’re going to get frustrated. We’re a 3-2 football team that’s lost two road games to ranked opponents. If anybody’s discouraged or anything, I’d be shocked.”
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.
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Up next
What: UCF (3-2, 1-1 Big 12) at No. 18 Oklahoma State (3-1, 1-0 Big 12)
When: Noon, Saturday
Where: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Okla.
TV: ESPN2
Favorite: OSU by 9.5 points