UCF football makes a statement with upset of Oklahoma State

After losing its first five Big 12 games as a member of the conference, it appears UCF Football has finally found its stride in a Power Five conference.

The Knights entered Saturday’s matchup with No. 15 Oklahoma State as 2.5-point underdogs, and they covered the spread and then some in their first win over a Big 12 incumbent, demolishing the Cowboys by a lopsided score of 45-3.

Knights’ defense steps up

UCF’s offense has been tremendous all year, but the story of Saturday’s victory was the play of the defense. Addison Williams’ unit has been much maligned in 2023, but they stepped up in big fashion against Oklahoma State.

The Knights turned the Cowboys over 4 on four occasions, picking off Alan Bowman three times and recovering an Ollie Gordon fumble as well.

When it was all said and done, UCF scored 24 points off Cowboy turnovers.

Plumlee nearly perfect

John Rhys Plumlee has had his ups and downs in Orlando, but on Saturday, he may have had his best game as a UCF Knight.

The quarterback went 11-of-18 for 299 yards and three touchdowns through the air, and he added 74 yards on 14 carries. Most importantly, he avoided mistakes.

The Plumlee experience has so often been erratic, with games like the Oklahoma loss early in the year in which he threw three touchdowns, but also three interceptions.

The fifth-year senior should be commended for what he’s done during his time at UCF. He’s taken the program through its transition into the Power Five, and while it hasn’t always been pretty, he’s always been a tremendous leader.

As his career as a Knight comes to a close, he couldn’t have asked for a bigger win. There are still a few games left in the season, but at such a pivotal moment in UCF history, this could be the most memorable game of his career in Orlando.