Baylor Routs UCF 41-9 as DJ Lagway Throws 4 TDs in Joe Klanderman's Debut as Interim Coach

Five days after a coaching change, Baylor played its most complete game of the season.

DJ Lagway threw for 319 yards and four touchdowns, and Baylor rolled past UCF 41-9 on Friday night, Oct. 30, at the Bounce House in Orlando, according to the Associated Press. It was the first game for Joe Klanderman as interim head coach after Baylor fired Dave Aranda last weekend.

Baylor improved to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the Big 12. UCF fell to 4-4 and 2-3.

Baylor vs. UCF: final score by quarter

UCF’s only points came on three Will Stone field goals, including a 57-yarder at the end of the first half that UCF Athletics called a school record.

DJ Lagway’s big night

Lagway, a transfer from Florida, went 16-of-25 for 319 yards and four touchdowns, according to AP and Baylor’s recap. Baylor said the four touchdown passes tied his career high and that it was his third 300-yard game of 2026.

His touchdown throws:

• 4 yards to tight end Tony Livingston in the first quarter
• 21 yards to Livingston in the third quarter
• 77 yards to receiver Gavin Freeman in the third quarter
• 5 yards to tight end Matthew Klopfenstein in the fourth quarter

Freeman finished with five catches for 114 yards. On the ground, freshman Ryelan Morris ran 11 times for 82 yards and Caden Knighten added a rushing touchdown, per Baylor.

The game turned early in the third quarter. Baylor led 20-6 at halftime, then scored touchdowns on its first two second-half possessions to go up 34-6, UCF Athletics noted.

Baylor’s defense smothers UCF

Klanderman had been Baylor’s defensive coordinator, and his unit dominated. According to Baylor:

• UCF managed 66 rushing yards and 281 total yards, with much of that coming late.
• Baylor recorded a season-high seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss.
• Travion Barnes and Micah Gifford led the team with six tackles each, while Jamaal Whyce Jr. and Kaleb Burns had 1.5 sacks apiece.

For UCF, quarterback Alonza Barnett III threw for 133 yards, Rocco Marriott ran for 50, and Josh Derry had 70 receiving yards, per the official box score.

The loss stung for a UCF team coming off a double-overtime upset of No. 2 BYU, as Baylor’s recap noted. The game was UCF’s 10th annual Space Game, played before a sellout crowd of 45,906.

Baylor football coach: why Klanderman is in charge

Baylor fired Aranda on Oct. 25 after a 25-24 loss to Kansas dropped the Bears to 4-3, AP reported. Klanderman, the defensive coordinator, was named interim head coach for the rest of the season.

Friday’s result was a strong opening statement. Baylor has now won three straight against UCF since the Knights joined the Big 12, according to the school.

What’s next

Baylor returns home to host Iowa State on Saturday, Nov. 7, for its Homecoming game, Baylor said.

FAQ