You lose some [games], you win some [games]. But hardly did the UCF Knights have thought that their team losing would also cost them losing a player. Their WR has taken the exit door and has decided to hit the transfer portal right after Gus Malzahn’s program got defeated badly by Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes. The player will be taking advantage of the NCAA’s redshirt rule.

Malzahn has definitely taken a hit, but he’s pinning all his hopes on one key weapon to beat Florida in the Swamp—and it’s not UCF receiver Xavier Townsend. While Townsend is a talented player Malzahn would love to rely on, the junior slot WR has now taken a drastic decision. He has decided to sit out the rest of the season to preserve his eligibility, with intentions to enter the transfer portal in December.

Well, the Knights got crushed by the Buffaloes on September 28, and five days later on October 3, Townsend posted a story on Instagram. He came up with a gratitude note starting with, “First off I would like to thank my coaches and entire UCF family for the opportunity to further my education and be a part of this great football tradition.”

He wrote it “was not an easy decision” but finally he made up his mind to use his redshirt year. Townsend then thanked his mentors, “Coach Malzahn, Coach Harris, and the entire staff have been great mentors as well as coaches. I will value every lesson I have learned over the last two plus years.” 

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound has been Malzahn’s starting slot receiver ever since he arrived in the 2022 recruiting class. And now that he is gone, it won’t be easy for the Knights to forget Townsend given his notable statistics. In the 2024 season, he rushed for 278 yards, came with one touchdown, and received 69 yards, making him an absolute phenom. During the Buffs’ face-off, Townsend was one of the breakout stars,  recording four receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown along with 30 yards rushing. But as of now, Malzahn has no option other than shifting his focus away from the WR. 

The X-Factor for UCF’s victory hopes

The UCF Knights has too many things on its plate. But chances reign high for the Knights to claim victory over the Sunshine State. Right now, Malzahn’s squad is 1-5 against in-state “big brothers” Florida, Florida State and Miami. Now that they are in the Big 12, UCF now has more opportunities to close the gap.

But what’s the key? The Gators’ shaky defense would be an added advantage to UCF’s high-scoring, up-tempo offense. But even then there might be chances of hitting a nose dive. Being Malzahn’s apple of the eye, QB KJ Jefferson will give his blood sweat, and tears to keep the Knights afloat. It was the QB who led Arkansas to a stunning victory in Gainesville last November.

His numbers- throwing for 255 yards, running for 92 more, and accounting for three scores have been the only reason for Gus Malzahn to land Jefferson at UCF. However, nothing is predictable. After all, this is going to be the first time meet-ups for UCF’s Gus Malzahn and Florida’s Billy Napier as head coaches.