Scott Frost Praised Gus Malzahn After UCF Victory

The UCF head coach credited his predecessor for the current roster's talent following a win over TCU.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Football

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UCF head coach Scott Frost praised former coach Gus Malzahn for the roster's talent following the Knights' victory over TCU this weekend. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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UCF football head coach Scott Frost praised former head coach Gus Malzahn for recruiting the players currently on the team's roster. The comments followed a recent game where UCF defeated TCU.

Why it matters

The recognition highlights the impact of long-term roster development and continuity as the program transitions between coaching staffs. Frost noted that the team's current talent foundation is a direct result of previous recruiting efforts.

Quarterback Keyone Jenkins completed 19 of 20 passes for 160 yards with one touchdown, though he committed two fumbles. The defense forced four turnovers and recorded four sacks while the team converted 3 of 10 third-down attempts.

The players

Scott Frost

He serves as the head coach for the UCF football team.

Gus Malzahn

He previously served as the head coach for the UCF football program.

Keyone Jenkins

He is a quarterback for the UCF football team.

The details

UCF maintained a committee approach on defense to overcome recent injuries throughout the matchup. The team also showed discipline by committing only four penalties during the contest.

Timeline

  1. September 28, 2026: The article was published following the recent game.

  2. October 3, 2026: UCF is scheduled to play the Houston Cougars.

Season Trajectory

This victory keeps UCF competitive as they prepare for a difficult stretch against three currently ranked opponents. The team must refine its offensive consistency to improve upon a 3-for-10 third-down conversion rate before facing tougher defenses.

UCF faces a challenging path forward with three consecutive games against currently ranked opponents starting October 3. The offense must mitigate turnover risks, as evidenced by the two fumbles committed in the recent game.

The takeaway

Maintaining roster cohesion is critical for programs undergoing a change in leadership during the season. Coaches who acknowledge inherited talent can foster a more stable environment as they integrate new schemes.

What happens next

UCF is scheduled to face the Houston Cougars on October 3, 2026.

Further reading

For more news on the team, visit the Football section.

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Do you believe retaining players from a previous coaching staff benefits your local college football team?