UCF’s homecoming game just got a lot bigger. The Knights will host No. 2 BYU fresh off the Cougars’ 28-24 upset win over Notre Dame. When asked in his Monday news conference how he helps his players not get too excited about playing the No. 2 team in the country, UCF head coach Scott Frost didn’t seem too worried. “It’s a homecoming,” he said. “It’s the Big 12. They’re all pretty close. I think BYU is the best of the bunch, obviously. There’s some arguments to be made for other teams as well, but I think they’ve done a really good job. Cougars on the air No. 2 BYU (6-0, 3-0) at UCF (3-3, 1-2) Saturday, 1:30 p.m. MDTA on Acrisure Bounce HouseTV: FOXRadio: 102.7 FM/1160 AM“They are big, long and physical. They have a really good quarterback. There are no holes. They are solid players all around. They know what they are doing. They are well trained. “I think it was a very good win for BYU and for our league,” he said. “I was happy for Kalani and that group. It seemed like a special atmosphere. A really good game against two really good teams, and BYU came out victorious. “I think BYU deserves to be ranked where it is,” Frost said. “I think it should be based on their record and their wins and losses, and they’ve beaten everyone they’ve played with. UCF’s areas to improve UCF starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III has missed the last four games due to a hamstring injury and is expected to miss the game against BYU, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Keyone Jenkins has started in place of Barnett. The Knights are coming off their bye week and are 3-3 this season with wins against Bethune-Cookman, Georgia State and TCU and losses to Pittsburgh, Houston and Oklahoma State. Of UCF’s three losses this season, two have been by 10 points or less. “We’ve played well enough to win, but we haven’t played well enough to win,” Frost said. “I’m happy with our team’s effort. I think we can find a little more. That’s part of the reason I want them to be fresh. But when you think you’re giving everything you’ve got, there’s usually more there.” Frost attributed it to mentality and injuries. “When we get into situations where we’re ahead or we have a chance in the fourth quarter, we can’t just play the same way we’ve been playing,” he said. “That’s where it has to get very intense and our guys have to look for opportunities to make plays and make some more.” “…We’ve had several opportunities where we can make a play here or there. That would have changed a couple of these games. I want our guys to look for those opportunities.” When facing Bear Bachmeier, Frost praised BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier, calling him one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Against UCF last year, Bachmeier completed 21 of 25 passes for 289 yards and a touchdown. “Bear played very well against us,” Frost said. “He’s played well since he got there. He’s unique because he can really throw it, but he’s big and he can take off and run when he needs to. They have some options with him and you know they’re counting on him to run it when they need a play.” Frost added that his defense will need to make some plays to keep Bachmeier and the BYU offense off the field. He also called BYU the “deepest team” UCF has faced so far this season. “I think they’re bigger and longer than some of the other teams we’ve played,” he said. “That makes it difficult to run the ball up the middle, stop the run just with their size and the depth they can give you. “I think there are a lot of good teams in this league and there’s not much difference between them. But there are some definitely unique things about BYU that make them really good.” “What a great atmosphere out there. I take my hat off to them because not only are they a good team, but their fans were great. It was just a good atmosphere. I think their players are good people. The coaches are good people. It’s a fun game because of some of those things.” UCF held a 14-0 lead before BYU scored its first touchdown of the game in the second quarter. On the Knights’ next drive, receiver Duane Thomas Jr. threw an interception on a trick play. UCF maintained its lead after a missed BYU field goal, but its fortunes quickly changed. Their next three possessions ended in punts, including one that BYU returned for a touchdown, giving BYU a lead of 31-14. The Knights never could recover. “If you’re going to even have a chance against a team like this, you have to play well in all three phases and you have to play well for all four quarters,” Frost said. “We played a very good first quarter and we played well in stretches at other times, but last year we were outmanned and outgunned. And I think we have improved. So we have to try to get the same kind of start and maintain it for the four quarters.” Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
