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247Sports · Joe Londergan

Sep 05
Jayden Williams Made The Most of UCF's First Turnover of 2026
Summary
Injury: While UCF's 2025 defense did lay a solid foundation for what Alex Grinch wants it to be, the Knights defensive coordinator said at multiple points in the offseason that he wanted his group to...
While UCF's 2025 defense did lay a solid foundation for what Alex Grinch wants it to be, the Knights defensive coordinator said at multiple points in the offseason that he wanted his group to generate more turnovers in the new year. The UCF defense took a step in the right direction there on Thursday, forcing two takeaways in a 73-6 rout of Bethune-Cookman.  The first turnover of the evening came on a Jayden Williams interception, which the Valrico (FL) native returned 47 yards for a touchdown.  MORE: UCF Dominates Bethune-Cookman 73-6 To Open 2026 Football Season JAYDEN WILLIAMS PICK SIX 🔥🔥🔥@ThreatLocker defensive play of the game pic.twitter.com/T7LF6yHmZl — UCF Football (@UCF_Football) September 3, 2026 "Every time I get my hands on a ball, I try to score, no matter the situation, no matter what it is," Williams said. "You know, we really don't get them opportunities a lot. I really try to display my athletic ability, you know, try to get in the touchdown, though." Williams' score was a return to form of sorts after he missed the majority of the season with a series of hand injuries that eventually required surgically placing an inch-long pin into his hand. Playing again in his sixth season of college football is an opportunity Williams looks to be relishing. "It felt great to be out there with the guys," Williams said. "The crowd was amazing, you know, running out there and the atmosphere really gets you going. So, it felt great to be out there with the guys and my teammates." Grinch's continued emphasis on turnover generation rubbed off on Williams, who hopes it's the start of a growing trend for his group as they advance through their schedule. "Turnovers equal victory," Williams said. "That's just the standard—getting hands on the ball, punching at the ball, and getting interceptions. That's been our emphasis over the winter, spring ball, summer, and fall camp. It displayed today, and we're just trying to continue to push forward with that." The Knights return to action on Saturday, September 12 with a road date against the Pittsburgh Panthers. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. "We're not really taking too much out of this game," the Knights defensive back emphasized. "We're not trying to get too high; we're just staying level-headed because the mission is nowhere near complete, and we're looking forward to Week 2." Knights247's Andrew Cherico contributed to this story For more UCF coverage, follow Knights247 on X, Instagram, and Facebook! Sign up for our FREE UCF Knights Newsletter

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Teams: UCF

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