Piening scores late touchdown as UCF stuns Kansas 33-32

In a dramatic finish, Caden Piening secured a last-second touchdown, enabling UCF to defeat Kansas with a score of 33-32 on Saturday. The Knights initiated a 10-play, 73-yard drive, reaching the 6-yard line just under a minute remaining on the clock. Receiver Piening caught a 6-yard reception at the left pylon for the game-winning score.

Following a replay review, the field call was confirmed, concluding a 12-game losing streak for the Knights (5-4, 3-3 Big 12). Kansas (3-6, 1-5 Big 12) had built a 19-point lead early in the third quarter, but UCF responded by chipping away and eventually taking the lead at the 1:06 mark. Before the final drive, Kansas orchestrated a pair of lengthy touchdown drives, scoring on a 30-yard run by quarterback Isaiah Marshall and a 2-yard run by Khijohnn Cummings-Coleman.

Kansas punted on its opening possession, but regained the ball immediately after an interception and return to the 3-yard line. Marshall subsequently scored a 1-yard touchdown to give the Jayhawks an early advantage. UCF advanced down the field on their subsequent possession, reaching the Kansas 19-yard line but settling for a field goal.

A fourth-and-1 gamble succeeded in the second quarter when Duane Thomas Jr. scored a 10-yard rush for the Knights. They extended their lead to 12-7 with another field goal on an 11-play drive, keeping the Jayhawks to just 61 yards of total offense in the half. UCF's first touchdown came with a 1-yard run by Taevion Swint, followed by a 44-yard reception by Josh Derry, who finished with 143 receiving yards. Kansas is scheduled to face West Virginia in Morgantown next Saturday.