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**Jayhawks Aim to Rebound Against UCF After Defensive Struggles**

**ORLANDO, FL** – The Kansas Jayhawks (3-2, 1-1 Big 12) face the UCF Knights (3-1, 0-1 Big 12) on Saturday night at Acrisure Bounce House. The Jayhawks are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 37-34 home loss to Cincinnati, a game marred by defensive misalignments and missed assignments.

“We lacked confidence in coverage and ‘got tentative and played soft in some areas,'” Head coach Lance Leipold said after the game.

The Kansas defense surrendered a staggering 603 total yards to the Bearcats, including 388 passing yards and two touchdowns by quarterback Brendan Sorsby. It was the most vulnerable KU’s young secondary has looked all season, a fact not lost on Defensive Coordinator D.K. McDonald.

“I thought we had done a good job covering up until last game,” he said. “Once again, we got to do a lot better job as coaches, I got to do a better job as a coordinator helping those guys out and naturally, they got to get out and execute what they’re trying to do.”

UCF presents a different challenge, albeit one with its own quarterback uncertainties. An initial availability report has Jacurri Brown listed as “questionable”. While Tayven Jackson suffered an AC joint sprain in their last game against Kansas State, the Knights also boast a strong running game, led by Myles Montgomery, who had a career-high 119 rushing yards in their recent loss to Kansas State.

Despite defensive concerns, the Kansas offense, averaging 450.6 yards per game, remains potent. Offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski is wary of UCF’s aggressive defense. “They play a lot of man coverage, they run really well. So I think they’re going to probably try … to get pressure with their front four if they can, and try and play coverage in the back end.”

KU will need to improve its red-zone efficiency, where field goals and turnovers plagued them against Cincinnati. The status of kicker Laith Marjan, who is on the injury report, is also something to keep an eye on. Jon Jon Kamara is set to start at linebacker for the Jayhawks.

The betting line favors KU by 4.5 points, with an over/under of 54.5. The game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Central time and will be broadcast on the Jayhawk Radio Network. While UCF’s quarterback situation remains fluid, the Jayhawks will need to show improved defense and red-zone execution to secure a victory.

**Prediction:** KU wins 34-27

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