UCF quarterback Alonza Barnett III is reportedly expected to miss several weeks after suffering a hamstring injury late in the Knights’ 12-7 loss at Pittsburgh on Saturday.
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According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, a timeline for the senior’s return is uncertain.
A UCF spokesperson wouldn’t comment and coach Scott Frost is expected to meet with the media at Noon for his weekly news conference.
Barnett went down after scrambling for a two-yard gain on 3rd-and-6 from the UCF 26 with 1:29 left in the game. He left the field clutching his right hamstring before backup Keyone Jenkins replaced him. Jenkins was sacked for a loss on 4th-and-4, ending the scoring threat.
Frost wasn’t sure of the extent of Barnett’s injury following the game.
“We’re not sure what it was yet. Hopefully, it’s just a cramp, but I don’t know yet,” coach Scott Frost said of the senior’s status.
Barnett was 20 of 31 for 186 yards with a touchdown, but spent much of the game out of the pocket scrambling from pressure. He was the team’s leading rusher with 47 yards on 13 carries.
UCF (1-1) host Georgia State on Saturday (7 p.m., ESPN+) followed by the Big 12 home opener against TCU on Sept. 26.
The 5-foot-11, 210-pound right-hander transferred to UCF after spending four seasons at James Madison, where he led the Dukes to a 21-6 record as a two-year starter.
Last season, Barnett guided JMU to its ninth double-digit win season, finishing with a record of 12-2. The team also clinched its 10th conference championship, securing the Sun Belt title with a decisive 31-14 victory over Troy in the championship game.
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The Dukes earned a spot in the College Football Playoff before suffering a 51-34 loss to No. 5 Oregon in the first round.
Barnett was named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year after completing 58% of his passes for 2,806 yards with 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also rushed for 589 yards and a team-high 15 rushing touchdowns.
Barnett’s health has been a concern.
He was limited throughout spring camp, as coaches preferred to keep him on the sidelines.
In Barnett’s absence, the Knights will have Jenkins, a multi-year starter who transferred from FIU, former Boise State transfer Kaleb Annett and a pair of true freshmen in Rocco Marriott and Dante Carr.
Quarterback woes are nothing new to UCF.
Injuries and poor performances led to eight different quarterbacks taking snaps over the past 24 games.
When Frost returned last season, he retooled the quarterback unit, bringing in a trio of transfers in Tayven Jackson, Cam Fancher and Davi Belfort, coupling them with returner Jacurri Brown.
Fancher earned the starting nod to open the season, only to suffer a broken collarbone early in the first half of the opener against Jacksonville State. Jackson would start 10 games, but would also be injured, as would Brown.
The last quarterback to start a full season was Dillon Gabriel in 2020.
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: Georgia State (2-0) at UCF (1-1)
When: 7 p.m., Saturday
Where: Acrisure Bounce House Stadium, Orlando
TV: ESPN+
Favorite: UCF by 20.5 points