UCF Loses QB Alonza Barnett III to Hamstring Injury Ahead of Georgia State Matchup
UCF starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III is expected to miss Saturday’s game with what coach Scott Frost called a “fairly significant hamstring injury,” a setback that comes at a critical point in the Knights’ early season.
Barnett was injured on the second‑to‑last offensive snap in Saturday’s 12‑7 loss at Pittsburgh. He slipped in the rain while being chased out of the pocket and was slow to get up after being tackled from behind. Keyone Jenkins entered for the final play and was sacked on fourth down, sealing the Panthers’ win.
Barnett threw for 186 yards and a touchdown in the loss. He arrived at UCF as a celebrated transfer after leading James Madison to the College Football Playoff last season.
“We brought him here for a reason,” Frost said. “We believe in him. It’s sad to see something like this happen.”
Severity Still Unknown, but Barnett Expected to Miss Multiple Weeks
Frost said the full extent of the injury will not be known until Barnett undergoes additional imaging this week. Early indications suggest he will miss several weeks, including Saturday’s home game against Georgia State and the Big 12 opener on Sept. 26 against TCU.
The loss is significant for a UCF offense built around Barnett’s mobility, arm strength and experience.
Jenkins Takes Over as Starter
Jenkins is expected to start in Barnett’s place. The FIU transfer started 10 games last season, throwing for nine touchdowns and 1,742 yards.
He now steps into a high‑pressure role as UCF tries to stabilize its offense and avoid falling into an early‑season slump.
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