Former Indiana quarterback Tayven Jackson led UCF, to a season-opening win against Jacksonville State on Thursday night at the Acrisure Bounce House in Orlando, Florida in a 17-10 victory.
Tayven Jackson took over when starting quarterback Cam Fancher was injured in the second quarter. Jackson ompleted 17 of his 24 passing attempts, including two touchdowns, one of which was the go-ahead score for the Knights late in the fourth quarter.
The game started with sloppy offense from both teams and a two-hour rain and lightning delay in the middle of the second quarter.
Before Fancher's injury he only completed five of nine passes for 32 yards and also rushed four times for 39 yards.
The Indiana transfer was projected to be the starting quarterback during camp and now could very well be getting his job back as the starting signal-caller.
""It was always stay ready," he said in his postgame presser. "The opportunity will always come.""
Here is another quote from Jackson on UCF's victory, Thursday night:
“This offense is going to be very explosive," Jackson said. "It’s the first game, getting the jitters out. I feel like we did a good job of executing some plays and some plays where we need to go back in the film room and work on them.”
Jackson committed to UCF after entering the transfer portal this past offseason, joining the program for the first season of former Nebraska coach Scott Frost’s stint (second).
Jackson began his career in Knoxville with the Tennessee Vols, then transferred back home to Indiana (Greenwood, IN native) for two seasons.
Jackson played in six games with five starts over the past two seasons with Indiana, completing 78 o͏f 1͏28 pa͏sses for 914 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions.
He played an important role in Indiana’s win over Washington in 2024, completing 11 of his 19 passes for 124 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception.
Head coach Scott Frost said the quarterback situation will be reassessed next week depending on Fancher’s health.
UCF will take on North Carolina A&T on Sept. 6 at the Acrisure Bounce House at 7:00 p.m.