As UCF readies for its 2025 season opener Thursday night at Acrisure Bounce House, the spotlight wasn’t just on the players but on the coaches guiding them. Jacksonville State’s first-year boss Charles Kelly spoke warmly about Scott Frost’s return to Orlando, framing the meeting as a high-stakes test for both programs.
Kelly, entering his first head-coaching job, called Frost’s career achievements “a huge challenge” to face a staff he deeply respects. He praised Frost for turning programs around and noted his respect for how Frost earned his stripes in coaching, starting from Northern Iowa on defense and rising to prominence as a head coach and strategist. The two coaches have crossed paths before, most memorably in the 2015 Rose Bowl semifinal when Frost’s Oregon faced Kelly’s Florida State defense; Oregon rolled to a vigorous 59-20 win, a memory Kelly acknowledged as evidence of Frost’s offensive prowess.
The kickoff also underscored how the modern game is defined by turnover and the portal. Both teams are in flux: UCF has welcomed around 70 new players, while Jacksonville State added 51 newcomers. Kelly stressed that roster churn isn’t a strategic obstacle so much as a contemporary reality, noting that schematics aren’t the chief challenge—the emphasis remains on execution.
In a key early decision, Kelly named Gavin Wimsatt as Jacksonville State’s starting quarterback for Thursday. The Kentucky transfer, who spent three seasons at Rutgers and appeared in multiple games for the Wildcats last year, brings a combination of size, arm strength and mobility. Kelly described Wimsatt as a big, athletic passer who can make every throw and also threaten teams with his legs. He added that the Gamecocks feel confident in the three quarterbacks on the roster.
Wimsatt’s resume includes 16 completions for 287 yards and three touchdowns in limited action last season, along with his prior experiences at Rutgers and Kentucky. Kelly highlighted the passing ability and leadership he can bring to the JSU offense as it enters its third season at the FBS level under Kelly’s leadership.
Frost’s return to UCF adds another layer of intrigue. Frost previously guided UCF from 2016 to 2017, going 19-7 during his stint and culminating in a 13-0 season and a Peach Bowl victory in his final year before moving to Nebraska. Thursday’s game marks the start of Frost’s second era with the Knights, and anticipation is high as both programs work to establish identity amid a roster overhaul.
For Kelly, the emphasis remained squarely on his team. “To me, this game is about the players. It’s not about me. It’s about two good programs playing each other. My job is to get our players prepared to play,” he said as kickoff neared.
What to watch on Thursday
– How Wimsatt handles the speed and variety of UCF’s defense, and how the Gamecocks exploit the Knights’ scheme with a quarterback who can extend plays.
– How both teams manage the early-season roster turnover and translate practice reps into on-field execution.
– Frost’s approach to a familiar venue with a familiar challenge, and how his staff’s adjustments reflect their long-standing coaching philosophy.
Summary
Two programs navigating a new era of college football collide in a rivalry-like setting where mutual respect between head coaches stands alongside the practical realities of a modern portal era. Expect a competitive opener that tests the depth and adaptability of both rosters, with a keen eye on how Wimsatt and Frost’s offenses implement their plans in a high-stakes environment.
A hopeful note
This game offers a chance to celebrate resilience and growth in college football. For Jacksonville State, it’s a proving ground under a first-year head coach with a proven football mind. For UCF, it’s a reunion with a familiar figure returning to guide the Knights through a season of transition, underscoring the idea that strong coaching can help teams accelerate toward their goals.
Additional context
As both teams refine their lineups and establish leadership on and off the field, Thursday’s result could set the tone for a season defined by adaptability and grit, with coaching staffs leveraging the transfer portal era to assemble competitive rosters quickly and decisively.