UCF defeated Baylor by a score of 52–42,[4] becoming the biggest underdog victors in BCS history.
UCF earned an automatic berth to a BCS game by winning The American (formerly the Big East).
Bryce Petty led the Bears to new heights completing 220 of 356 passes for 3,844 yards and 30 touchdowns with two interceptions.
The Knights, led by redshirt Junior Blake Bortles and head coach George O'Leary, won the American Athletic Conference football championship with an 11–1 (8–0) record.
Quarterback Bryce Petty was sacked at his own 27 yard line on 3rd down, forcing the Bears to punt.
A 29-yard run by Lache Seastrunk set up the Bears inside the red zone, and Petty punched the ball into the endzone for Baylor's first touchdown.
On a field that was mildly criticized by some as being slippery and loose, Petty lost his footing on the snap.
Three plays later, Blake Bortles' threw deep towards the endzone, but the pass was intercepted by Demetri Goodson at the Baylor 6 yard line.
Storm Johnson fumbled away the ball, the third turnover in three consecutive offensive plays for the Knights.
Petty ran to the right, and was upended at the 2 yard line by a UCF defender, but flipped over and landed in the endzone for the touchdown.
Two plays later, Bortles threw to Rannell Hall, who scrambled for a 34-yard touchdown, and a 28-20 lead for the Knights.
Bears kicker Aaron Jones missed a 45-yard field goal attempt wide right as time expired.
The drive was highlighted by a 50-yard pass from Petty to Jay Lee, who was downed inside the 1 yard line.
Bortles found Breshard Perriman in the right side of the endzone for a 10-yard touchdown, and the Knights were back ahead by the score of 35-28.
With just over twelve minutes to go, Blake Bortles threw a 23-yard pass to Rannell Hall, advancing the Knights near midfield.
Knights kicker Shawn Moffitt kicked a 36-yard field goal to put UCF up 52-35.
The Knights defense was able to coerce the Bears into burning over four minutes off the clock; the touchdown was scored with only 1:15 left in the game.
The Bears attempted an onside kick, but UCF's J.J. Worton effectively secured the victory by recovering the ball with little difficulty.