BYU's defense put on a Senior Day display against UCF

Despite allowing UCF to get an early 14-0 lead, BYU’s defense had a good game. BYU allowed UCF to lead by two touchdowns at the end of the first quarter, but then held the Knights to seven points for the remainder of the game. BYU’s top-40 rushing defense, which was allowing only 126 yards per game, led the way, shutting down UCF’s running game, holding them to 42 yards rushing.

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BYU’s defense does their best work in the three most important categories: turnovers forced, yards allowed, and points allowed. The 20 turnovers they had forced coming into this game were 13th in college football, and they added two more to that total against UCF. They averaged 327.2 yards per game, which is 31st in the nation, and they held the Knights to 296 yards of offense. Finally, BYU has allowed only 17.5 points per game, which is 14th in the country, and gave up only 21 in the win over Central Florida.

The Cougars' defense has been great all season and is led by plenty of star players like Isaiah Glasker, Faletau Satuala, and Therrian Alexander. In the win over UCF, senior Jack Kelly and all-Big 12 corner Evan Johnson had the biggest games. Johnson had four tackles and an interception. So far in 2025, Johnson has 40 tackles, a sack, a tackle for a loss, and four interceptions. Johnson has been a lockdown corner for BYU and will be crucial in the Big 12 title game and in the postseason.

Jack Kelly has had a phenomenal senior season for BYU. Kelly had six tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, and two sacks on Senior Day against UCF. Despite battling injuries, Kelly has 52 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, a forced fumble, and a defensive touchdown. This is a defense worthy of a College Football Playoff at-large berth, and one that can remove all doubt with a Big 12 Championship Game win.