Lowly UCF, Oklahoma State eager to snap losing streaks

In the past eight weeks, UCF and Oklahoma State have combined for just one win.

This week may be both teams' last chance for a victory this season when they clash in Orlando on Saturday.

The Cowboys (1-9, 0-7 Big 12) haven't done much good this season as they fired long-time coach Mike Gundy in September and have yet to beat a FBS squad, dropping nine straight games. Oklahoma State is one of two teams in the bottom six nationally in scoring offense and scoring defense.

Oklahoma State had a promising outing last week against Kansas State, trailing 7-6 entering the fourth quarter. But Zane Flores threw two interceptions, including one in the fourth quarter when Oklahoma State was at the Kansas State 27, in what became a 14-6 loss.

"You do all the things necessary to get down there and then you turn it over, you're not going to beat too many teams doing that," said interim coach Doug Meacham on Monday. " ... But I'm proud on a lot of levels, about a lot of different things, and wish that we could find a way to break through."

The Knights (4-6, 1-6) continued to struggle offensively in their 48-9 loss at No. 6 Texas Tech Saturday. UCF was held under 300 yards for the third straight game as the defense allowed a third consecutive 400-yard game.

Quarterback Tayven Jackson struggled, passing for just 178 yards, the fifth time in his last six games he's thrown for fewer than 200.

Backup Davi Belfort saw some game action, but mostly was used as a threat on the ground. He had 36 rushing yards against Houston two weeks ago and had four yards with no passes attempted against the Red Raiders.

Coach Scott Frost alluded that he may give Belfort more opportunities and use him more to mix UCF's offense up.

"Davi will continue to improve in everything he does as he gets more reps," Frost said Monday. "It hasn't been completely fair to him to put him in the situation he's in without having gotten a lot of reps over the course of this year ... but Davi is capable of running our whole offense."

The Knights beat the Cowboys the last time they matched up, a 45-3 romp in 2023.

--Field Level Media