The Gus Bus rolled into Fort Worth to kick off Big-12 play and delivered one of the best college football games of the weekend on the back of a 21-point comeback to defeat TCU 35-34 in the final minute.
In a game that saw UCF have three blocked kicks and a 21-point deficit, Malzahn's crew pulled out a big-time win to kick off Big 12 play.
The Knights didn't lead until 36 seconds remained on the clock before KJ Jefferson threw a 20-yard dart touchdown to Kobe Hudson.
Coach Malzahn compared the game to the Knights' 21-point comeback to beat Boise State in his first season at the helm in Orlando.
TCU threw the kitchen sink at UCF through the air. Josh Hoover threw for 402 yards with four touchdowns and Jack Bech recorded nine receptions for 200 yards.
Coming out of halftime, the Knights simplified their offensive plan: They would feed RJ Harvey the football over and over and over again.
Harvey, the Knights' All-Big 12 running back who ran for over 1,400 yards in 2023, finished the evening with 20 touches for 209 total yards and three touchdowns.
"He's one of the best backs in college football," Malzahn said. "I think each week he's proven that."
KJ Jefferson completed 13/22 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns with 46 yards on the ground.
Kobe Judson recorded six receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
The big three for this offense took over the second half.
UCF won the game in the trenches. The defense held TCU to just 58 yards on the ground. The fourth quarter was a physical chess match with circus catches and explosive plays.
UCF finished the 2023 season 2-4 on the road in its inaugural year in the Big 12. This win in Fort Worth will serve as massive momentum for the Gus Bus as they journey deeper into conference play.
The Knights' are 3-0 heading in the bye week with Colorado visiting the Bounce House on September 28th. In a Big 12 race with no clear front-runner, UCF is in the thick of the hunt for a conference title.