Baylor Football

Game Thread: Bears Look to Bounce Back against UCF in Orlando

Baylor football faces off against UCF.
By SicEm365 Staff
October 29, 2026
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SICEM365 GAME THREAD

Baylor at UCF

Joe Klanderman’s Interim Debut • Space Game
Friday, October 30, 2026 • 6:30 p.m. CT • ESPN
Acrisure Bounce House • Orlando, FL
Records Baylor 4-3 (2-2 Big 12) | UCF 4-3 (2-2 Big 12)
Coaches Joe Klanderman (interim) vs. Scott Frost
Kickoff 6:30 p.m. CT / 7:30 p.m. ET
TV ESPN — Mike Monaco, Jordan Rodgers, Dana Boyle
Radio John Morris, Geff Gandy, Bryson Jackson • KRZI 1660 AM / 92.3 FM
Stream ESPN / ESPN app • BaylorBears.com radio
Series Baylor leads 2-1
Last meeting Baylor 30, UCF 3 (Waco, Nov. 1, 2025)
Last in Orlando Baylor 36, UCF 35 (2023 comeback from 35-7)
Last game Kansas 25, Baylor 24 (Oct. 24)
Line UCF -1.5 • O/U 48.5 • as of Oct. 29

Why This Game Matters

  • Joe Klanderman’s first game as interim head coach after Dave Aranda was fired Sunday following the Kansas loss
  • UCF’s annual Space Game, coming off a 39-31 double-OT upset of then-No. 2 BYU
  • Both teams are 4-3, 2-2 in the Big 12. Critical for bowl positioning and momentum
  • Baylor has won the last two meetings (36-35 in Orlando in 2023, 30-3 in Waco in 2025)
  • Klanderman will continue calling the defense, which has been the team’s strength

Series History

  • Baylor leads 2-1 all-time
  • 2014 Fiesta Bowl: UCF 52, Baylor 42
  • 2023 in Orlando: Baylor 36, UCF 35 (rallied from 35-7)
  • 2025 in Waco: Baylor 30, UCF 3
  • UCF this year: W vs. Bethune-Cookman, L at Pitt, W vs. Georgia State, W vs. TCU, L at Houston, L at Oklahoma State, bye, W 39-31 (2OT) vs. No. 2 BYU

Keys for Baylor

  1. Respond to the change. Players have talked about Klanderman’s energy. First game without Aranda has to show it on the field.
  2. Contain Keyone Jenkins. He accounted for four touchdowns (293 pass yards, 3 TD; 35 rush yards, 1 TD) against BYU.
  3. Find any run game. The ground game has been the clear weakness. UCF is not an elite defensive team, but run defense is their strength.
  4. Keep the defense rolling. Klanderman stays on the headset. The unit has been near the top of the Big 12 in sacks, TFLs, and turnovers.
  5. Avoid the letdown on the other side. UCF just beat a top-2 team at home. Bounce House will be loud for the Space Game.

Players to Watch

Baylor: QB DJ Lagway • RB Dawson Pendergrass • WR Gavin Freeman, Jayden McGowan • LB Travion Barnes • TE Matthew Klopfenstein • Interim HC / DC Joe Klanderman

UCF: QB Keyone Jenkins • RB Duke Watson • WR Josh Derry, Tyren Hornes • HC Scott Frost • Space Game uniforms (Mercury/Gemini/Apollo theme)

SicEm365 UCF week reading

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Game Thread Baylor-UCF Baylor at UCF Football Baylor Central Florida 2026
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Discussion from...

Game Thread: Bears Look to Bounce Back against UCF in Orlando

56,038 Views | 548 Replies | Last: 8 days ago by boognish_bear
Timbear
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In reply to boognish_bear • 12:15p, 10/31/26
boognish_bear said:


Klan is blowing up the Aranda era with that statement. Love it! Klan the Man.
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historian
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In reply to Quinton • 12:20p, 10/31/26
Quinton said:
They need to smash Iowa St at home.. would go a long way for Klanderman

I repeat of 2013 would be great!



Yes, I'm joking.
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boognish_bear
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12:25p, 10/31/26
Since 2010 interim coaches have a 34% win rate in their first game.

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boognish_bear
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12:29p, 10/31/26
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boognish_bear
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12:30p, 10/31/26
Love it.

This tweet from Baylor athletics has 2.5 thousand likes. Most of their tweets get less than 100 likes. All that to say… I think it's a little bit of evidence that the fan base may be re-engaging.

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Karab
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In reply to boognish_bear • 1:07p, 10/31/26
boognish_bear said:
Love it.

This tweet from Baylor athletics has 2.5 thousand likes. Most of their tweets get less than 100 likes. All that to say… I think it's a little bit of evidence that the fan base may be re-engaging.


It is the perfect photo and caption to describe that game
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Karab
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In reply to boognish_bear • 1:08p, 10/31/26
I'm curious how the best head coaches did back when they were interim.
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oldbear69
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1:36p, 10/31/26
One word and it's not Plastics,,, Sacks …
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boognish_bear
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1:52p, 10/31/26
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whitetrash
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In reply to boognish_bear • 2:04p, 10/31/26
boognish_bear said:


Another 7 last night makes 34 so far.

School record is 48 in 2019 IIRC.
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bear2be2
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In reply to Karab • 2:07p, 10/31/26
Karab said:
I'm curious how the best head coaches did back when they were interim.

Phillip Fulmer went 4-0. Dabo Swinney went 3-0. Ryan Day went 3-0. Spencer Danielson went 3-1.

I think Klanderman needs to go 4-1 or 5-0 to be considered. But if he does, he should probably get the job. History would suggest that's a pretty good indicator of his long-term viability as a head coach.
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historian
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In reply to Karab • 2:30p, 10/31/26
Agreed. It would be nice to see a photo of Knighten with that caption
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historian
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In reply to boognish_bear • 2:31p, 10/31/26
How does that number compare with the rest of the B12 and FBS in 2026? It looks impressive unless a lot of other teams are similar.
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BearlyBeloved
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2:35p, 10/31/26
Most since 2005? Is that when they first started tracking this stat?
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Aliceinbubbleland
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2:35p, 10/31/26
Disappointed to see SMU lose. To Syracuse? Ugh.
Iran has Trump by his pu**y and no way they will let go
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BearlyBeloved
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In reply to Aliceinbubbleland • 2:52p, 10/31/26
Aliceinbubbleland said:
Disappointed to see SMU lose. To Syracuse? Ugh.

Sure. I also hate to see Mustangs' hurt their recruiting in Texas. Is that your point?
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boognish_bear
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2:54p, 10/31/26
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Beverly Hills Bear
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4:19p, 10/31/26
I've looked for a replay of the game on ESPN but not seeing one. Does anyone know if there is a replay somewhere?
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historian
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In reply to Beverly Hills Bear • 4:46p, 10/31/26
I found it in the ESPN app. Go to the section in cfb to filter out the rest then scroll through the "On Demand" choices.
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Jacques Strap
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In reply to Beverly Hills Bear • 6:48p, 10/31/26
Beverly Hills Bear said:
I've looked for a replay of the game on ESPN but not seeing one. Does anyone know if there is a replay somewhere?


YouTube has a good 20 minute or so extended highlights
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historian
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In reply to Jacques Strap • 6:51p, 10/31/26


Here's Baylor's version:

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boognish_bear
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11:42a, 11/1/26
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boognish_bear
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7:14p, 11/1/26
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