BYU-UCF ending, explained: How Knights overcame chaotic end to regulation to knock off No. 2 Cougars originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
In its first week as the No. 2 team in the country, BYU fell to UCF in a wild game that produced a very confusing final few minutes of action.
The two sides spent most of the fourth quarter tied at 24-24, but the Knights had a few chances to win the game in regulation. They were stuffed on fourth down at the goal line late in the game, but got the ball back with 42 seconds left on the clock to try to produce the game-winning drive.
What followed was an extremely chaotic final sequence in regulation where both teams seemed to squander opportunities. While the game ended up going to overtime, the way both teams got to extra time needs a detailed breakdown.
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BYU-UCF ending, explained
In a tie game with under a minute left, UCF had the ball with a chance to drive for a game-winning field goal and come away with an upset win. However, the Knights failed to come away with the three points necessary to win.
The final play of the game, specifically, was wild, as UCF's field-goal attempt forced the officials to go deep into the rulebook.
A circus show finish to regulation sends the BYU-UCF game to OT. Connor Onion, Robert Griffin III, and rules analyst Mike Pereira provide the commentary for Fox. 🏈🎙️😵💫 https://t.co/8u2Jb0vd1P
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 24, 2026
Here's a full explanation of what happened.
3rd-down kick gives UCF new life
UCF's Will Stone had his game-winning kick blocked, as BYU initially appeared to save its game. However, because Stone recovered the ball, UCF retained possession and would get a fourth down to possibly try another field goal to win the game.
Picked-up penalty flag helps BYU
While Stone was advancing the ball after the blocked kick, a BYU defender seemed to commit a facemask penalty, which would have given the Knights 15 extra yards. When the officials huddled to discuss the play, though, they picked up the flag, keeping the ball where it was when Stone went down.
Little-known clock stoppage rule gives UCF new life
UCF had no timeouts left, which means that they wouldn't have been able to stop a running clock before regulation expired. Under normal circumstances, though, the recovery off the blocked kick would have automatically stopped the clock to save UCF's game.
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10-second runoff saves BYU
However, the clock did end up expiring on the play. When Stone's helmet came off, which is why an official initially threw a flag for a facemask, that automatically triggered a 10-second runoff on the play. Since UCF had no timeouts to stop the runoff, regulation expired with the game still tied.
UCF wins game in 2OT
Overtime was just as chaotic, as UCF held on to upset the Cougars. After both teams scored in the first overtime, UCF got the ball to start the second OT. However, the Knights came up just short of a touchdown initially and were forced to kick a field goal.
That is when BYU was called for a roughing-the-kicker penalty, giving UCF new life on the drive. The Knights went on to score a touchdown, with a two-point conversion, before UCF was able to hold BYU out of the end zone to secure the win.
UCF kicks the field goal but BYU was called for a roughing the kicker penalty! UCF will have it 1st and Goal https://t.co/Yqmq9uw8O4
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 24, 2026
The win means UCF has its biggest upset in program history, now taking down the No. 2 team in the country.
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