Comment on Struggling UCF could face another possible change at quarterback

When UCF began the 2024 football season, the Knights had what they figured was a rock-solid quarterback option. The moment KJ Jefferson arrived on campus via the transfer market, it was a given the fifth-year senior would be the starting quarterback. Yet five games into the season, Jefferson was benched, clearing the way for true freshman EJ Colson. Colson’s tenure lasted five snaps before backup Jacurri Brown earned the right to start the next two games. Now mired in a five-game losing streak and with Brown struggling, it appears that UCF may be looking at a fourth option: redshirt freshman Dylan Rizk. Rizk saw his first legitimate action of the season in the fourth quarter of the Knights’ 37-24 loss to BYU on Saturday. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder entered the game with 10:43 left and provided an instant spark, completing back-to-back passes for 44 yards, setting up an RJ Harvey touchdown run that cut the score to 34-18. After 5th straight loss, UCF fans getting fed up with Gus Malzahn | Commentary On his second possession, Rizk drove the Knights 89 yards on 12 plays in under 3 minutes, connecting 4 of his 8 passing attempts for 58 yards, capped  by a 29-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jacoby Jones. It was just the second passing touchdown by a Knights quarterback in the last four games. Rizk also finished with 31 yards on 4 carries. “Dylan seized the moment and did a good job and gave us some life and led us to two touchdowns,” coach Gus Malzahn said. Malzahn wasn’t ready to commit to Brown as the starter for this weekend’s showdown with Arizona (3:30 p.m., FS1). “We’re going to watch the film and figure out whoever gives us the best chance at every position,”  Malzahn said.