Live Game Thread & Updates for Kansas Football vs. UCF in Big 12 Showdown

Kansas and UCF are set to square off in a pivotal Big 12 matchup today as the Jayhawks look to keep their bowl hopes alive with the regular season winding down. After a disappointing collapse against TCU last week, KU will be looking to get back on track and take advantage of a favorable opportunity against the Knights.

For those who can't tune into the game or simply want to follow along with the action, we'll be providing periodic live updates throughout the contest at Kansas on SI. Follow along for the latest score and notable plays that come this afternoon.

Kansas vs. UCF Football Live Score Updates

Oct 4, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights quarterback Cam Fancher (14) is tackled by Kansas Jayhawks linebacker Trey Lathan (4) and safety Jalen Dye (14) during the second half at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

First Quarter

15:00: Kansas will start the game with the ball. Isaiah Marshall with his first opportunity in two weeks after missing the TCU game with a lower-leg injury. Fans in the Booth are amped up.

12:36: After a first-down scramble by Marshall, an incompletion on third down leads to a Matt Gill punt. UCF will start its first offensive drive at the Knights' own 22-yard line.

12:26: On UCF's first play from scrimmage, an absolute doozy of a play transpires. David Santiago got around the edge and altered Alonza Barnett's first pass attempt of the afternoon, leading to a Trey Lathan interception. He was quickly taken down and actually fumbled the pick, only for defensive tackle Marcus Calvin to pick it up and nearly return it for a touchdown. The Jayhawks will get ball inside their own five-yard line after this massive turnover.

10:25: The Jayhawks take advantage of the momentum swing and Marshall punches it in from one yard out on a fourth-down quarterback sneak. Massive sequence of events there for KU. Kansas leads, 7-0.

6:21: Despite allowing a few big pass plays, the KU defense comes up strong on a designed run for Barnett on third down. Kicker Will Stone drilled a 37-yard field goal to give UCF its first points of the day. Kansas leads, 7-3.

5:40: A quick three-and-out for the Jayhawks' offense right after the UCF field goal. Kansas was gifted great field position earlier, but it is now averaging just 2.2 yards per play. There haven't been any explosive plays yet and UCF now has a chance to take the lead with a touchdown.

4:47: A much-needed bounce back for the KU defense, which forces a punt after an excellent pass break-up by Roman Pearson on third down. UCF punts it away to Kansas' own six-yard line, so the Jayhawks will be backed up to start their next drive.

1:20: Cam Pickett blatantly drops a pass on third down that would have resulted in a first-down conversion. The deflection nearly resulted in an interception, similar to what happened to Cole Ballard on the pick-6 a week ago. Another wobbling punt from Matt Gill gives the Knights fairly decent field position.

Second Quarter

12:03: UCF gets creative on fourth-and-short, handing the ball off to wide receiver Speedy Thomas for a touchdown. The Jayhawks were unable to come up with a fourth-down stop in a crucial moment. UCF misses the PAT, though, keeping this a two-point game. UCF leads, 9-7.

11:03: Not entirely sure what Andy Kotelnicki is drawing up right now. He dialed up two deep passes to Nahzae Cox that Marshall overthrew, resulting in yet another three-and-out for the offense. The Jayhawks have 48 total yards of offense and are laboring every possession.

5:55: An 11-play, 51-yard drive results in another field goal attempt by UCF. The Knights were unable to convert on a goal-to-go opportunity but still moved the ball at ease all drive. KU desperately needs points on the board in this drive. UCF leads, 12-7.

5:06: An inexplicable and careless fumble by Dylan Edwards gives the ball right back to the Knights. The KU offense has been a nightmare all afternoon and is showing no signs of life. UCF with a chance to make this a two-possession game before halftime, and it also receives the kickoff after halftime as well.

4:24: The circus continues in Lawrence with yet another lost fumble, this time by UCF running back Landen Chambers. David Santiago comes up with his second difference-making play of the contest, falling on the ball and recovering it to give the Jayhawks some life.

3:16: Another failed chance for the Jayhawks as Marshall tosses an incompletion to Nik McMillan on third down. The Jayhawks are now an abysmal 1-for-7 on third downs today, a number that simply won't cut it in the Big 12. There have now been four possession changes in under four minutes.

0:00: The Jayhawks' defense is showing signs of fatigue, allowing UCF to march down 61 yards. However, Will Stone was unable to connect on a 54-yard kick which was wide left and well short of the crossbar. It's still a one-possession game at The Booth, but things aren't looking great for KU considering the road team will get the ball to start the second half. UCF leads at halftime, 12-7.

First Half: Kansas Top Performers

Isaiah Marshall: 20 passing yards, 30 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown
Cam Pickett: 3 receptions, 17 yards
David Santiago: 3 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery

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Third Quarter

11:56: Following a big kickoff return to set up UCF's first drive of the half, the Knights go the distance with a Taevion Swint touchdown run. The Jayhawks are now down big and fans in the stands are becoming impatient. UCF leads, 19-7.

10:38: To add to the numerous blunders Kansas has had today, Khijohnn Cummings-Coleman coughs up a fumble on an outside carry to give the Knights the ball back. As the announcers continue to point out, KU hasn't snapped the ball from UCF territory since Lathan's interception gifted them good field position in the first quarter. Simply inexcusable mistakes from the Jayhawks.

9:52: Bring out the paper bags, KU fans. The Knights have taken command and are trending toward breaking their 12-game road losing streak. UCF wideout Josh Derry beats a KU safety downfield for a 44-yard touchdown to make this a 19-point game. UCF leads, 26-7.

4:17: The Jayhawks are trying to get the crowd back into this one. Marshall makes a nifty move on a designed quarterback run to find paydirt from 30 yards out. We'll see if the defense can come up with a few stops to keep this game alive. UCF leads, 26-14.

2:38: Kansas simply won't go away. The Jayhawks force a punt, which goes for a touchback. KU came back from a double-digit deficit against Baylor two weeks ago, so it's too early to count them out just yet.

Fourth Quarter

11:26: A beauty of a drive (11 plays, 80 yards) is capped off by a Cummings-Coleman rushing touchdown, cutting the deficit to six points. After looking anemic the entire first half, Marshall and the offense have came alive. Just like that, the crowd is back into it and Kansas has a chance to force a stop and retake the lead. UCF leads, 26-21.

9:06: That's another three-and-out for the UCF offense. The Knights have absolutely no juice right now. This is KU's game to lose. Let's see what Marshall is made of on this next drive.

5:29: Kansas came close to cashing in a few times but ultimately had to settle for a 34-yard field goal after an eight-play drive. If UCF plays its cards right, the Jayhawks might not get the ball back until after the two-minute warning, but the Knights' offense has stalled the past few drives. Here comes the biggest defensive drive of the evening for KU. UCF leads, 26-24.

2:27: Corey Gordon comes up with a massive tackle for loss on third down to force a UCF punt, but Tate Nagy questionably fielded a punt inside KU's own-five yard line to give the Jayhawks terrible field position. A little over two minutes left, at least 60 yards needed to put Connington into field-goal range. Can Marshall get it done?

1:06: The Jayhawks have come all the way back from down 19 to take the lead. Dylan Edwards runs it in to send the Jayhawk faithful into a frenzy. The longest drive of the season (95 yards) couldn't have come at a better time. A Nik McMillan two-point conversion gives KU some insurance in case UCF goes down to score a touchdown and misses the extra point. Kansas leads, 32-26.

0:01: Ballgame. Caden Piening walks it off with a touchdown catch that was thoroughly reviewed, but the officials ultimately determined he did not lose possession of the ball. Kansas will drop to 3-6 on the year. UCF leads, 33-32.

How to Watch Kansas vs. UCF

Oct 17, 2026; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Isaiah Marshall (8) drops back to pass during the fourth quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Time: 2:45 p.m. CT
Channel: ESPN2
Link: Watch ESPN

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