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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548 Comments
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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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548 Comments
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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

40,295 Views | 548 Replies | Last: 12 hrs ago by boognish_bear
Dia del DougO
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9:53p, 10/30/26
"Cat's in the bag, bag's in the river."
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oldbear69
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In reply to Jacques Strap • 9:53p, 10/30/26
Jacques Strap said:
If only they'd fired Dave after TCU…

last year,,,
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Aliceinbubbleland
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9:53p, 10/30/26
How in hell did this team beat BYU? I'm not sure if UCF had their starters all game that the score tonight would be different
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whitetrash
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9:55p, 10/30/26
Bennett sighting!
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historian
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9:55p, 10/30/26
Rushing yards:
Baylor 175
UCF 16
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BearlyBeloved
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9:55p, 10/30/26
Bennett gets to play, from the 5-yard line
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oldbear69
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9:56p, 10/30/26
As billy tohill would say" we just opened up a big ol can of whoop-up on these boys"
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bear2be2
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9:57p, 10/30/26
I was covering a high school game tonight, so I had to listen to John Morris, but what a performance by the good guys.

A hell of a head coaching debut for the Klandy Man.
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Stranger
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In reply to oldbear69 • 9:57p, 10/30/26
oldbear69 said:
As billy tohill would say" we just opened up a big ol can of whoop-up on these boys"

I think what he said was whoopa$$
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bear2be2
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In reply to Aliceinbubbleland • 9:58p, 10/30/26
Aliceinbubbleland said:
How in hell did this team beat BYU? I'm not sure if UCF had their starters all game that the score tonight would be different

Welcome to college football in 2026.

You've got to show up every week because anybody can beat anybody.
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Stranger
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In reply to bear2be2 • 9:58p, 10/30/26
bear2be2 said:
I was covering a high school game tonight, so I had to listen to John Morris, but what a performance by the good guys.

A hell of a head coaching debut for the Klandy Man.

who won the high school game?
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whitetrash
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In reply to oldbear69 • 9:58p, 10/30/26
oldbear69 said:
As billy tohill would say" we just opened up a big ol can of whoop-up on these boys"

Was that before or after he lost a foot when he got drunk and wrapped his car around a telephone pole?
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BearlyBeloved
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10:01p, 10/30/26
Look at those empty stands!
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Karab
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10:01p, 10/30/26

Who can save a program,
With a KU downfall,
Give the players energy and forget Aranda-ball?

The Klandyman
Oh, the Klandyman can
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Dia del DougO
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10:02p, 10/30/26
Will get a Gatorade dump?

Not likely.
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Dia del DougO
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10:03p, 10/30/26
A goal line stand would seem appropriate here.
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Big12Fan2024
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10:04p, 10/30/26
STOPPED!


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Dia del DougO
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10:04p, 10/30/26
LOL!

Dang...
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Jack Bauer
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10:04p, 10/30/26
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Fitting end.
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whitetrash
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In reply to Dia del DougO • 10:04p, 10/30/26
Dia del DougO said:
Will get a Gatorade dump?

Not likely.

Water, not Gatorade.
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BearFan33
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In reply to Dia del DougO • 10:04p, 10/30/26
Dia del DougO said:
A goal line stand would seem appropriate here.


Wow. No touchdown for you!
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BearlyBeloved
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In reply to Dia del DougO • 10:04p, 10/30/26
Dia del DougO said:
Will get a Gatorade dump?

Not likely.

Wrong!
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Jack Bauer
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In reply to Dia del DougO • 10:04p, 10/30/26
Dia del DougO said:
Will get a Gatorade dump?

Not likely.


he did.
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Aliceinbubbleland
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In reply to BearlyBeloved • 10:04p, 10/30/26
BearlyBeloved said:
Look at those empty stands!


LOL. I was thinking look at those happy few kids left.
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Blackout Sniper
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10:04p, 10/30/26
Intern Joe with the W! Great job Baylor
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Dia del DougO
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In reply to Dia del DougO • 10:04p, 10/30/26
Dia del DougO said:
Will get a Gatorade dump?

Not likely.

I guess you only get water at mid-season.

Still work to do.
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BearlyBeloved
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10:05p, 10/30/26
priDe with a capital D
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BearFan33
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10:05p, 10/30/26
Kids want to play for Klanderman not dreary Dave
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Delmar 2.0
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10:05p, 10/30/26
CONFERENCE ROAD W B:TCHES!!!
I ain't quite as dumb as I seem
-- (P.C. 1974)
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BUDOS
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In reply to Dia del DougO • 10:05p, 10/30/26
Iowa State is next.
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Jack Bauer
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10:06p, 10/30/26
HC may be lit next week.
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Big12Fan2024
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10:06p, 10/30/26
I believe in the Klandyman!
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Dia del DougO
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10:06p, 10/30/26

Yuge win for yuge guy.

Congrats, Coach Klanderman!
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BearlyBeloved
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10:07p, 10/30/26
ESPN covered the post-game prayers! Nice!
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oldbear69
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10:07p, 10/30/26
The Klan Man,,,new era? if he beats tech i might be on board...
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