UCF quarterback John Rhys Plumlee out for the remainder of the game vs. Kansas

UCF quarterback John Rhys Plumlee is out for the remainder of Saturday’s contest against Kansas, it was reported on the FOX broadcast. Plumlee made his return after missing the past three games with a leg injury, but appeared to reaggravate the injury and limped off on the first drive.

Plumlee later returned to the game after that, but did not look 100% healthy. He went 3-of-7 passing for 33 yards before exiting the field again in the second quarter as Timmy McClain came in to replace him.

Without Plumlee, UCF’s offense has struggled to get much going as the Knights trail 24-0 at halftime. McClain is so far 3-of-5 passing for 30 yards and will hope to pick things up in the second half.

Sideline reporter Allison Williams offered an update on Plumlee to start the second half, per Knights coach Gus Malzahn.

“He did say that had to take Plumlee out because ‘he just isn’t ready yet,’ Williams said. “As for how McClain needs to perform in the second half, he did say ‘first of all, he’s got to protect the ball. But really all round him, we’re too soft. We need to go out there and play like the score doesn’t matter. We need to play like we can.'”

It’s an unfortunate blow for UCF, which is so far 1-2 this season in games where Plumlee hasn’t played. The quarterback finished 2022 with 2,586 yards passing, 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions along with 862 yards rushing and 11 scores on the ground.

Things didn’t get much better to start the second half, as Kansas opened with a 75-yard touchdown from Devin Neal on the first play to increase its advantage to 31-0. The Jayhawks have also been without their starting quarterback, as Jalon Daniels missed his second straight game with a back injury.

Timmy McClain to lead UCF offense with John Rhys Plumlee out

McClain started each of the past three games with Plumlee out as UCF has gone 1-2 in those contests. He has thrown for 819 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions in those games.

So far Saturday, McClain is 4-of-6 passing for 43 yards and a touchdown. He broke the scoring drought with a 13-yard touchdown connection with Alec Holler early in the third quarter. McClain has also rushed four times for a total of seven yards.

UCF currently trails Kansas by a score of 37-8 with 6:51 remaining in the third quarter.