Scott Frost decided to bench Tayven Jackson for Davi Belfort on the final drive of Friday’s college football game between UCF and Houston. His backup quarterback threw an interception.
The timing of his decision did not make a lot of sense.
If a coach is going to make a switch at the most important position in college football, it should probably come before the last two minutes. Especially when
Tayven Jackson struggled.
UCF has played five different quarterbacks this season. Jackson has played most often— starting seven of nine games. Cam Fancher, who was injured on Friday, is the second-most used signal-caller. Jacurri Brown, Brock Hansel and Belfort also got some action.
Although Jackson was the starter against Houston, he was battling a hamstring injury. The Tennessee and Indiana transfer completed 15 of his 29 pass attempts for only 136 yards and one interception. The offense averaged only five plays per drive.
And yet, the Citronauts still had a chance to drive and win the game with just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter because of two pick-sixes. The Cougars led 30-27 with 2:23 on the clock.
Davi Belfort threw an interception.
Rather than sticking with the guy who played the other 57 minutes and 37 seconds of the game, Frost decided to make a change at quarterback. He went with Belfort for what ultimately proved to be the final drive instead of Jackson.
Belfort, the son of UFC legend Vitor Belfort, technically began the season as the fifth-string quarterback. He previously attempted three passes and ran the ball seven times during earlier games in 2025.
It was a super weird spot to make a switch. Especially with the game on the line.
Unfortunately, UCF drew a delay of game penalty on the very first play.
🚨Davi Belfort, son of UFC legend Vitor Belfort, is in the game at QB for UCF trying to lead the game-winning drive!🚨 pic.twitter.com/hScvCRB86F
— Follow: @fsh733 (@fsh733) November 8, 2025
Fortunately, Belfort got those yards (and more) right back on the very next play.
Scott Frost bringing in Davi Belfort cold off the bench for the potential game winning drive. This was his first play. #ucffootball #spacegame @LockedOn_UCF @JamesDuncanUCF @ucfisland @StatBoyDrew pic.twitter.com/15NicDVTNN
— Mike G. (@mikegittens) November 8, 2025
Unfortunately, he threw an interception to lose the game just a few moments later.
THE INT SEALS IT FOR HOUSTON 🔥 @UHCougarFB pic.twitter.com/QqDkChSw67
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 8, 2025
The Citronauts lost their first-ever Space Game. Houston’s College Football Playoff bid is still alive.
Scott Frost explained his decision.
When asked about the switch at quarterback, UCF’s head coach put it on the health of Tayven Jackson.
His nagging injury did not allow him to avoid pressure.
“Yeah, Tayven had a hamstring (injury) earlier in the game, and we had taped it up,” Scott Frost said. “Just figured in that situation (Houston) would be probably coming after us. We needed someone who could get away from the pass rush a little and maybe create something. And for the most part, it worked.”
Davi Belfort was obviously the opportunity. It just didn’t work out.
“He was excited to go in,” Frost said. “He came up to me and said, ‘Coach, let’s go win this thing.’ We kind of came up with a couple of new plays for him before that drive. They hit. He did a good job executing them. It’s why I feel terrible for him. I thought he had a really good drive until that last play.”
To be fair, the reason for the quarterback switch actually does make some sense. Jackson wasn’t playing well, he couldn’t escape the blitz because of his hamstring. Belfort is shifty and fast. Fair.
It leaves just one question… Why then?! Why go to the backup (fifth-string) on the final drive of the game?! There was an opportunity to make that change far earlier. Frost waited.