The “Cardiac Knights” are back home this weekend after another nail-biter. UCF hosts Arizona State on Saturday with both teams sitting at 5-4 and a lot on the line.
Game Info
- When: Saturday, Nov. 14, 3:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Acrisure Bounce House Stadium, Orlando
- TV: ESPN2
- Weather: Around 63 degrees with no rain expected
- Line: UCF by 3
Coming Off a Wild Win at Kansas
UCF’s win at Kansas last Saturday was one to remember. The Knights saw a 26-7 lead slip away, but Caden Piening caught a 6-yard touchdown pass with three seconds left to win it 33-32.
The win came two weeks after UCF’s stunning finish against BYU, and it ended a long road losing streak. The Knights also didn’t commit a single penalty in that game, which hadn’t happened since November 2007.
Quarterback Alonza Barnett III, in his first start since a hamstring injury in Week 2, is now 14-3 as a starter.
UCF Injury Report
- RB Duke Watson: Out with a lower-leg injury. Landen Chambers is expected to carry more of the load after running 13 times for 40 yards last week.
- WR Waden Charles: Out with a leg injury. He’s UCF’s third-leading receiver and had caught at least one pass in eight of nine games.
- LB Lewis Carter: Listed as probable after missing six games. It would be his first game since September.
Arizona State Players to Know
- QB Jack Fette: A freshman and ASU’s third starting quarterback this season. He’s thrown for 411 yards and three touchdowns, but he’s also been sacked 10 times.
- WR Reed Harris: Leads the Big 12 with 907 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
- RB Cardae Mack: The freshman has 359 rushing yards and four touchdowns over his last three games.
Three Things to Watch
1. Can UCF get to the quarterback? Arizona State has given up 27 sacks, the most in the Big 12. UCF’s defense, however, has just 16 sacks, near the bottom of the league. Something has to give.
2. Lewis Carter’s return. Getting a starting linebacker back could be a big boost for a defense facing a dangerous receiver in Harris.
3. Life without Waden Charles. UCF needs someone to step up in the passing game with one of Barnett’s go-to targets out.
Series History
Arizona State leads the all-time series 2-0. The last meeting, on Nov. 9, 2024, in Tempe, was a heartbreaker for UCF. The Knights led 31-28 going into the fourth quarter before ASU rallied for a 35-31 win.
Why This Game Matters
Both teams are 3-3 in Big 12 play. For UCF, a win would mean a sixth victory and bowl eligibility. For Scott Frost’s Knights, who haven’t had a winning season since joining the Big 12 in 2023, this is a big chance to keep building momentum at home.