UCF’s KJ Jefferson Benched as Knights Suffer Third Straight Loss to Cincinnati

In a significant development for the University of Central Florida (UCF) Knights, quarterback KJ Jefferson was benched for their recent game against the Cincinnati Bearcats. This decision came as the Knights sought to revamp their offense, which has been struggling in recent games.

The game ended in a 19-13 victory for Cincinnati, with the Bearcats’ defense playing a crucial role in silencing UCF’s typically high-scoring offense. Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby threw for 241 yards, including a critical 4-yard touchdown to Tony Johnson late in the fourth quarter, securing the win for the Bearcats.

UCF’s offense, led by quarterback Jacurri Brown in Jefferson’s absence, managed 397 yards but only scored 13 points. Brown threw for 207 yards and rushed for another 94 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown pass to Kobe Hudson early in the third quarter. Despite these efforts, the Knights were unable to overcome the defensive prowess of the Bearcats.

The loss marks UCF’s third straight defeat, and the team is now seeking answers to their offensive struggles. The Knights had previously been leading the Big 12 in rushing yards and were among the top five in total yards and points per game. However, their running game was significantly muted by Cincinnati’s defense, holding star running back RJ Harvey to just 94 yards on 17 carries.

The benching of KJ Jefferson, who started the first five games of the season, highlights the ongoing challenges UCF faces in finding consistent quarterback play. The team will look to regroup as they prepare to face No. 11 Iowa State in their next game.