News Article
Published
Oct 24, 2026 at 10:01 PM EDT

UCF delivered one of college football's biggest upsets Saturday, defeating No. 2 BYU 39-31 in double overtime.
The Knights followed their victory with a pointed social media post that quickly grabbed attention.

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"BEAT THE NUMBER TWO OUT OF BYU."
The message from UCF Football on X was a clever shot at the Cougars' ranking. BYU entered the game as the nation's No. 2 team after beating Notre Dame the previous week. The Knights made sure their victory came with a memorable punchline.
The result was a major setback for BYU, which had built significant momentum following its high-profile win. Instead of extending its unbeaten run, the Cougars left Orlando with their first loss of the season.
UCF, meanwhile, earned a statement victory in front of its home crowd. The Knights had faced questions about their ability to finish against strong opponents. Taking down a top-two team in a double-overtime battle gives them a result they can build on.
The game also carried major implications for the Big 12. BYU had strengthened the conference's College Football Playoff hopes with its win over Notre Dame. Its loss to UCF now adds uncertainty to that picture, particularly with other contenders also fighting for position.
For BYU, the focus now shifts to responding after a difficult defeat. The Cougars will need to regroup quickly if they want to remain in the national playoff conversation.
