The Central Florida Knights defeated No. 2 BYU 39-31 in double overtime Saturday, October 24, delivering one of the season’s biggest upsets at Acrisure Bounce House in Orlando, Florida. The victory came after a wild contest featuring multiple lead changes, extra time, and contentious officiating decisions that drew criticism from college football fans.

UCF entered the matchup looking to knock off a BYU team that had started the season 6-0. The Knights rose to the challenge, finishing with 39 points and 317 total yards against the highly ranked Cougars, who recorded 275 total yards.

The game also became a flashpoint for criticism of the officiating crew, particularly after a confusing sequence late in regulation involving a BYU player pulling off the helmet of a UCF kicker. Officials initially appeared to flag the play but subsequently picked up the flag, prompting questions about the decision and the resulting clock management. The sequence left fans questioning the consistency of the calls in a game with major implications for both teams.

UCF’s offense was led by quarterback Keyone Jenkins, who connected with Tyler Hornes for a 56-yard completion during a key third-quarter drive that helped set up a touchdown. Running back Landen Chambers also contributed on the ground, including an early touchdown that helped the Knights recover after falling behind 7-0 in the opening quarter.

The Knights held a 17-14 halftime lead after scoring 17 points in the second quarter. Both teams added touchdowns in the third quarter before BYU tied the game at 24-24 with a 44-yard field goal in the fourth. Neither team could break the deadlock in regulation, sending the matchup into overtime.

The drama continued in the first overtime. BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier connected with Legend Glasker on a 28-yard touchdown pass, putting the Cougars ahead 31-24. UCF answered immediately, with Jenkins throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass to Josh Derry to tie the game at 31-31 and force a second overtime.

In double overtime, UCF finally seized control and completed the upset, finishing with a 39-31 victory after converting a two-point attempt on the decisive play. The win ended BYU’s unbeaten start and gave the Knights a signature victory in front of their home crowd.

The officiating controversy, however, threatened to overshadow the finish. Late in regulation, a BYU defender brought down a UCF kicker, whose helmet came off during the play. Officials initially appeared to signal a penalty before picking up the flag. The ensuing ruling treated the helmet coming off as a situation requiring the player to leave for one play, while the clock was run off. The confusing sequence drew immediate criticism from fans, many of whom questioned why the apparent penalty had been reversed.

The sequence added to frustration among college football fans following another controversial ending involving BYU the previous week. Online reactions criticized the Big 12 officiating crew’s handling of the situation, although some commenters argued the decision depended on whether a foul had actually occurred and whether the kicker’s helmet had been properly secured.

Despite the contentious calls, UCF finished the job on the field. The Knights overcame the No. 2-ranked Cougars in a double-overtime thriller, delivering a major upset while leaving renewed questions about the consistency and clarity of officiating in high-stakes college football games.