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Frost: UCF ‘Really Close’ To Getting Some Players Back
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- Frost: UCF ‘Really Close’ To Getting Some Players Back
(Troy Taormina/Imagn Images)
Several key players could make a return for the UCF Knights in Saturday's matchup against the No. 2 BYU Cougars after last week's bye.
Quarterback Alonza Barnett III and wide receiver Duane Thomas Jr. nursed hamstring injuries that have kept them out for most of the season, and linebacker Lewis Carter missed all three conference games.
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The week-long break gave the Knights time to recalibrate after back-to-back collapses to the No. 20 Houston Cougars and No. 18 Oklahoma State Cowboys . It also gave the sidelined players additional time to focus on recovery.
Coach Scott Frost said the team is really close to getting "a lot of guys back." He gave his squad a light workload, only having one practice during the bye.
Frost said Barnett is making "really good progress" on his way back to the field. He didn't confirm if the star transfer would start against BYU, but the update is encouraging for UCF.
Keyone Jenkins has held down the fort while Barnett was sidelined. Jenkins improved every week and had his best performance against the Cowboys, throwing for 265 yards and four touchdowns.
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He's struggled to push the ball downfield, which is Barnett's strength. The James Madison transfer completed five passes of over 60 yards last season and would open Frost's playbook for the deep passing game.
Thomas should be close to returning after he was listed as questionable against the Cowboys . His hamstring injury has sidelined him in every game this season, limiting the wide receiver corps' depth and versatility.
He was UCF's most reliable receiver last season. The senior led the team with 53 receptions (10 more than tight end Dylan Wade) and 528 yards.
Frost deployed the 5-foot-8 speedster in various ways. The Knights' coach ran jet sweeps for him and started him in the slot, making him the No. 1 target for short and intermediate passes.
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Carter has been the most significant loss on defense. He became a star at UCF. While at Oklahoma , he was a reserve linebacker and special teams player.
The senior had a career season last year after transferring from Oklahoma. Carter led the team with 92 tackles and set career highs in tackles for loss, sacks, and fumbles.
UCF could be close to full strength against BYU on Saturday. The Cougars will be the Knights' highest-ranked opponent to visit Acrisure Bounce House .
Frost's squad has proved they can compete against ranked foes, but have yet to put together a complete game.
