ORLANDO, Fla. — The UCF Knights lost the battle against the Pitt Panthers over the weekend. Hopefully, they haven’t lost the war with an injury to their star transfer quarterback.
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The Knights fell to the Panthers in Pittsburgh on Saturday, a sloppy weather delayed ordeal with a final score of 12-7. Quarterback Alonza Barnett III was working to lead a comeback bid towards the end of the game when with under 1:30 left he rushed out to the right and was tackled for a two-yard gain, but went down awkwardly.
The Knights used their final timeout of the game after the play and Barnett, obviously hobbled on the play, left the field and was replaced at quarterback by fellow transfer Keyone Jenkins.
After the game, head coach Scott Frost addressed the concerns of the injury saying the staff wasn’t sure what it was just yet and that “hopefully it’s just a cramp” as the medical staff was still working with Barnett.
But according to a report today from Pete Thamel of ESPN, the injury is thought to be more. Citing sources, Thamel saying that Barnett could be out “multiple weeks” with what is believed to be a hamstring injury.
Barnett transferred to the Knights over the offseason after helping to lead James Madison University to an appearance in last season’s College Football Playoffs after throwing for over 2800 yards and 23 touchdowns. Barnett underwent knee surgery back in December of 2024 after suffering an injury during the last snap of the 2024 regular season.
UCF head coach Scott Frost confirmed the injury during his scheduled address to the media at a press conference on Monday. Frost calling the injury “fairly significant”. He would not commit to a starter as UCF’s regular season continues Saturday when they play host to Georgia State.
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