The first time Scott Frost was in charge, the coach used the phrase “Fast and Fierce” to describe his UCF Knights.

It was the perfect slogan for his up-tempo, explosive offense, which moved up and down the field with relative ease as the Knights led the nation in scoring in 2017, averaging more than 48 points per game. In the end, it would lead to a conference championship and an undefeated season.

In his second go-around, however, UCF is leaning more into the “fierce” part of the adage.

The defense has stepped up through the first third of the season, allowing just 15 points per game while holding opponents to a combined 15 points in the second half. The Knights rank fourth in the Big 12 in scoring defense.

Against TCU on Saturday, the Knights made a point of being more aggressive on defense, pressuring Horned Frogs quarterback Jaden Craig and recording four sacks and eight tackles for loss.

UCF also came away with four takeaways, leading to seven points in the 21-13 win. The Knights have forced nine turnovers — six interceptions and three fumble recoveries — and are tied for seventh in the nation with four other teams in total takeaways.

UCF forced 14 turnovers in 12 games last season.

“The No. 1 thing that stands out with our defense is how hard they play,” Frost said Monday. “We’ve got a lot of guys bought in right now and playing for each other.”

Defensive tackle R.J. Jackson believes the defense clearly embraces that fierce mentality.

“It’s fast, fierce and physical,” he said. “That’s what we try to live by and preach, week in and week out.”

Meanwhile, UCF’s offense ranks near the bottom of the Big 12, averaging just 355 yards per game; against Power Four competition, the Knights average only 236 yards per game.

Through the first four games, it appears, as goes the defense, so go the Knights.

That being said, UCF’s defense will be put to the ultimate test over the next month.

UCF (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) faces a brutal stretch over the next four weeks, with back-to-back road games against No. 20 Houston (Saturday) and No. 19 Oklahoma State (Oct. 10) followed by a home contest against No. 10 BYU on Oct. 24 after a bye week.

The Knights haven’t encountered such a three-game stretch against ranked opponents since 2017. During that season, they faced No. 22 USF, No. 16 Memphis, and No. 7 Auburn in their final three games. UCF won all three, finishing 13-0.

To make matters worse, all three opponents rank among the best offenses in the Big 12: Oklahoma State (first), Houston (second) and BYU (fourth).

“We’ve won our first conference home opener since we’ve been in the league and then on the heels of that, we don’t play a home game for a month,” Frost said of the upcoming schedule. “We only have four road conference games and we’ve got two in a row on the road and then a bye week and then BYU.

“It’s a challenging stretch. Those are three really good football teams.”

UCF is 1-5 against ranked opponents since joining the Big 12 in 2023, with the lone win coming against then-No. 15 Oklahoma State, 45-3, on Nov. 11, 2023. The Knights are also mired in a 10-game road losing streak stretching back to 2024.

Despite the road woes, the team’s focus this week is solely on Houston.

“We just want to get a win,” said Jackson. “It’s another opportunity to get another win. That’s the only way I see it and that’s what we plan to do on Saturday.”

Added receiver Josh Derry: “We’re just taking it one game at a time.”

Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram at @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.

Up next

What: UCF (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) at No. 20 Houston (3-1, 0-1 Big 12)

When: Noon, Saturday

Where: TDCU Stadium, Houston

TV: ESPN2

Favorite: Houston by 12.5 points

Source: Yahoo Sports