The UCF Knights opened their 2026 college football season with a historic masterclass last night, obliterating the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats 73-6 at the Acrisure Bounce House. The Knights tied their program single-game scoring record and secured their largest margin of victory in school history.

UCF established immediate dominance, scoring on their second offensive play via a 64-yard touchdown burst by freshman running back Duke Watson. Moments later, defensive back Jayden Williams intercepted a pass and returned it 47 yards for a pick-six, followed quickly by a 5-yard rushing touchdown from quarterback Alonza Barnett III to build a swift 21-0 lead. The offensive clinic continued as Barnett threw a 23-yard touchdown to Jonathan Bibbs, Keyone Jenkins found Caleb Rollerson for a 9-yard score, and the ground game added relentless touchdowns from Landen Chambers (two), Taevion Swint, and Agyeman Addae to make it 66-0.

Freshman quarterback Rocco Marriott executed a 1-yard sneak on the first play of the fourth quarter to hit the historic 73-point milestone. Bethune-Cookman managed a final moral victory as time expired, orchestrating an 80-yard drive capped by an 8-yard touchdown pass from Joel Morris to Kobe Stewart to break the shutout and cement the final 73-6 score.