Caden Piening Scored First UCF Touchdown in Win

UCF tight end Caden Piening caught his first collegiate touchdown pass to help defeat TCU 21-13.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Football

Caden Piening Scored First UCF Touchdown in Win

UCF tight end Caden Piening recorded his first career touchdown during the team's 21-13 victory over TCU. The 19-year-old freshman caught a pass from quarterback Keyone Jenkins and dragged a defender into the end zone.

Why it matters

The performance highlights the emergence of the 6-foot-5, 245-pound tight end as a key target in the UCF offense. Piening has shown steady progress through the opening month of the 2026 season.

Piening finished the game with two receptions for 30 yards, bringing his season total to four catches for 60 yards. He holds a Pro Football Focus receiver grade of 78.3.

The players

Caden Piening

He is a 19-year-old tight end for the UCF football team who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 245 pounds.

Keyone Jenkins

He is the quarterback for UCF who threw the touchdown pass to Piening during the win over TCU.

The details

Piening joined the UCF roster in 2025 and is now contributing as a physical presence for the Knights. He secured the touchdown by catching a pass inside the 5-yard line before powering through contact to reach the goal line.

Piening joined the UCF football program in 2025.
The touchdown was scored in September 2026.

Season Trajectory

Piening's emergence provides UCF with an additional dimension in its passing attack as the team navigates the middle portion of its season. This development could prove critical for the Knights as they look to build momentum following their recent victory.

Piening has recorded four catches for 60 yards through the first four games of the 2026 season. His increased involvement as a red-zone target could shift the offensive rotation for upcoming games, including the matchup against Houston which features a 12.5-point spread.

The takeaway

Piening represents a promising addition to the UCF offensive scheme after overcoming an injury suffered in 2025. His ability to create yards after the catch offers a reliable option for the team in future games.