Jackson, UCF power past North Carolina, 34-9 | iNFOnews.ca
Central Florida tight end Kylan Fox (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against North Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Jackson, UCF power past North Carolina, 34-9

Orlando, FL (AP) — UCF’s Tayven Jackson threw for 223 yards and scored a passing and rushing touchdown to guide UCF to a 34-9 victory over North Carolina.

The Knights (3-0) were mostly methodical throughout the game, with three touchdown drives of longer than five minutes. But they scored a critical touchdown on a 64-second, six-play, 83-yard drive to close the second half when Jackson found Kylan Fox for an 18-yard score.

Jackson spread the ball to nine different receivers and hit three different receivers on the drive.

“That was a team drive,” Jackson said. “That’s exciting to see because that’s hard to do to close with 1:13. That’s some good things.”

The Knights got on the board to open the third quarter to put distance between them and the Tar Heels (2-2) with a short run from Myles Montgomery. Jaden Nixon added a final touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

The Tar Heels could not respond, struggling at times to get past midfield and throwing an interception on their only red zone trip in the first half.

UNC quarterback Gio Lopez finished 11-for-14 for 87 yards with two interceptions, including one in the red zone. The Tar Heels tallied only 217 yards. The Knights had 366.

“There were too many problems out there to be consistent,” North Carolina coach Bill Belichick said. “A lot of things we need to do a better job at. They were just better than us today.”

Lopez left the game in the third quarter with a right leg injury after he was tackled on a fourth-down conversion. Lopez will be evaluated when the team returns to Chapel Hill.

Long Drives

UCF’s offense is typically known for its ability to stretch the field and move quickly. But the Knights focused more on ball control throughout the game. The Knights had touchdown drives of 13 plays for 6:37, 14 plays for 7:44 and 18 plays for 10:26.

The methodical nature kept the Tar Heels off the field and led to several key third- and fourth-down conversions. UCF went 5 for 13 on third downs and 4 for 4 on fourth downs.

Stepping In

For the second time this season, Max Johnson stepped in for Lopez due to an injury after Lopez sat out part of North Carolina’s 48-14 loss to TCU in their season opener.

Johnson completed 11 of 19 passes for 67 yards and threw an eight-yard strike to Kobe Paysour in the third quarter.

“I think we’ve got to execute better,” Johnson said. “Come together as a team, listen to what the coaches are saying, put it all in perspective and come to work every single day and just move the ball.”

The Takeaway

North Carolina: The Tar Heels struggled in their second matchup with a Big 12 opponent after a 48-14 loss to TCU in Week One. They likely will need to switch to senior backup quarterback Max Johnson moving forward.

UCF: The Knights have firmly established their quarterback as Jackson took over for the second straight game and led UCF to a comfortable win.

Up Next

North Carolina has a bye week next week before opening ACC play at home against Clemson on Oct. 4.

UCF travels to Kansas next week to open Big 12 play.

___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Jackson, UCF power past North Carolina, 34-9 | iNFOnews.ca
North Carolina quarterback Gio Lopez (7) throws a pass as he is pressured by Central Florida edge Malachi Lawrence (51) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jackson, UCF power past North Carolina, 34-9 | iNFOnews.ca
Central Florida quarterback Tayven Jackson (2) scrambles from the pocket in front of North Carolina defensive lineman Smith Vilbert (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jackson, UCF power past North Carolina, 34-9 | iNFOnews.ca
North Carolina quarterback Gio Lopez, center, jumps to avoid a tackle by Central Florida linebacker Lewis Carter (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jackson, UCF power past North Carolina, 34-9 | iNFOnews.ca
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick comes on the field during a time out in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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