Founded to reach the moon, we 麻豆精品 S檙e already on our way to the next frontier. Built for liftoff, America 麻豆精品 S檚 Space University celebrates UCF Space Week Nov. 3-7.

Where Global Leaders Unite to Boldly Forge the Future of Space

UCF aerospace engineering graduate research assistant Justin Sprunger 麻豆精品 S�22 麻豆精品 S�25惭厂 says he can trace his earliest memory to gazing at the space shuttle when he was 4. Before the age of 10, he was testing the limits of homemade bottle rockets, relentlessly experimenting with ways to increase speed.

In a lot of ways, his job today as a propulsion engineer and hypersonics facility director at the Center of Excellence in Hypersonic and Space Propulsion (also known as the HyperSpace Center) is rooted in that same curiosity and innovation his younger self embraced so whole-heartedly.

So when the lab 麻豆精品 S檚 large-scale hypersonic wind tunnel HADES becomes operational later this month, he is eager to push the limits once again in pursuit of revolutionizing travel as we know it.

HADES 麻豆精品 S� which stands for high enthalpy altitude-stimulating dynamic experimental system 麻豆精品 S� will prove crucial to the HyperSpace Center 麻豆精品 S檚 hypersonic and space propulsion research for scientists and strategic partners across the globe. UCF is the first university in the nation to have hypersonic technology at this scale.

The wind tunnel will be able to replicate the pressure and temperature of atmospheric conditions needed to figure out the keys to unlocking speeds that could one day allow a commercial airliner to fly from New York to London in less than 15 minutes.

麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檝e been staring at this thing on my computer screen with the 3D model for over a year. To watch the evolution of something that started as an idea to now in front of you in person is 麻豆精品 S� I don 麻豆精品 S檛 think there 麻豆精品 S檚 a better reward, honestly, 麻豆精品 S� Sprunger says. 麻豆精品 S淎s a fundamental researcher looking into all these problems that we face, you always come up with these hypotheses. 麻豆精品 S極h, if we could just do this experiment, 麻豆精品 S� or 麻豆精品 S業f we could hold this one thing constant, then I 麻豆精品 S檇 be able to see everything. 麻豆精品 S� And with this facility coming online, those once-impossible ideas will now start to become a possibility. 麻豆精品 S�

Not Just 麻豆精品 S楬ype 麻豆精品 S� Anymore

NASA, and its predecessor the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, has been involved in the study of hypersonic flight since the 1950s, though technology of the time limited much progress in the field. In the early 2000s, things started to change when NASA aircraft set two airbreathing speed Guinness World Records at Mach 7 (5,370 mph) and at Mach 10 (7,672 mph), respectively, as part of its Hyper-X Program.

Now, Sprunger says, technology has advanced to the point that it 麻豆精品 S檚 viable to be investing significant resources in this area of research.

Which brings us to the HyperSpace Center, which launched in October 2024 as a first-of-its-kind partnership with the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research that provides a centralized, physical space to advance hypersonic technology.

The work conducted in this unassuming one-story, gray rectangular building on the perimeter of Central Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 Research Park will build on Trustee Chair Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Kareem Ahmed 麻豆精品 S檚 progress so far, including development of the first hypersonic detonation rocket engine in 2020.

So how does HADES fit into this?

HADES stands for high enthalpy altitude-stimulating dynamic experimental system.

High enthalpy translates to very hot, or a lot of energy.

Altitude-simulating attributes to the atmosphere 麻豆精品 S檚 range of pressures and temperatures. With this facility, Sprunger and the team will be able to adjust elements to simulate the low-pressure altitude environment that 麻豆精品 S檚 important for outer body aerodynamic tests.

Dynamic refers to the range of tests it can conduct, which is novel compared to wind tunnels at other institutions. The Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion in Tallahassee has a that has the ability for long run times and can reach up to Mach 5, but its downside is its cold. University of Illinois 麻豆精品 S� ACT-II tunnel is an arc-heated tunnel that has capabilities for high Mach numbers and flight relevant enthalpies, but it is limited to run times of around 1 second.

Simply put, HADES can do it all, which will attract researchers because it allows for long run times while also customizing and accounting for the pressure and temperature they need in the atmosphere to strengthen the data of their experiments.

麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S檙e going to be able to hit all the high Mach numbers; we 麻豆精品 S檙e going to be able to do it for long durations; and we 麻豆精品 S檙e going to be able to match the enthalpy of a flight, 麻豆精品 S� Sprunger says. 麻豆精品 S淪o we 麻豆精品 S檙e taking the high temperature, the high pressure, the long duration, and we 麻豆精品 S檙e making a facility that 麻豆精品 S檚 going to be able to do that over and over and over again. 麻豆精品 S�

Mission IX

When Ahmed conceptualized HADES three years ago and aerospace and alum Jonathan Reyes 麻豆精品 S�15 麻豆精品 S�17MS 麻豆精品 S�19PhD led the design-into-action, he 麻豆精品 S� nor anyone else on the HyperSpace team 麻豆精品 S� fathomed it would one day be tied to a UCF football game.

When the Knights kick off the ninth installment of our annual space game Nov. 7, the players 麻豆精品 S� uniforms will prominently feature a diagram of HADES 麻豆精品 S� fueling apparatus. It 麻豆精品 S檚 the piece that funnels in the air and fuel to the targeted location of the tunnel.

When members of the Athletics brand team contacted the lab to explore the possibility of centering the Mission IX game 麻豆精品 S檚 theme on HyperSpace, graduate research assistant Nate Dreyer 麻豆精品 S�26MS crafted original concepts and key information as source material for the uniform design team to draw inspiration from.

麻豆精品 S淎 lot of members of my team are huge sports guys, so we had so much fun being involved and part of this year 麻豆精品 S檚 game, 麻豆精品 S� Sprunger says. 麻豆精品 S淚t really is about celebrating the university and demonstrating the capabilities we have here. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 hard to explain everything in a sizzle reel, 麻豆精品 S� he says before doing his best to provide a rapid-fire montage of life since retiring from the National Football League in 2022. He works as a community coordinator with NFL Legends, is actively involved in six companies, manages several real-estate holdings, travels to speak at corporate events and schools, serves on the Big 12 Alumni Council, writes books, is co-founder (with his twin brother, Shaquill Griffin 麻豆精品 S�22) of Consumer Launch Pad to help entrepreneurs streamline innovative ideas into manufacturing processes, cares for his three children at home in Anna Maria Island, Florida, and is working on a movie script about his life.

麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檓 also training for three track and field events at the Paralympics 麻豆精品 S� the long jump, 100 meters and 200 meters, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淚 plan to be in Los Angeles in 2028. 麻豆精品 S�

If you know anything at all about Shaquem Griffin, then you know enough to take him at his word when he sets his mind to anything. And that seems like a perfect bridge into the expected subject of sports, specifically Griffin 麻豆精品 S檚 determination to play linebacker at the highest level despite having his left hand amputated when he was 4 years old.

But Griffin 麻豆精品 S檚 mind is set on something bigger, newer and just as personal as the sport that brought his story into the public eye. It 麻豆精品 S檚 his collaboration with smartARM, a tech company dedicated to developing prosthetics using a rare combination of artificial intelligence (AI), cameras, 3D printing, cosmetic appeal and, at the heart of it all, genuine compassion.

麻豆精品 S淥ver the years, I 麻豆精品 S檝e been approached by countless prosthetic companies, 麻豆精品 S� Griffin says. 麻豆精品 S淏ut they only wanted to use me for my name and likeness. The moment I met the people from smartARM, I knew there 麻豆精品 S檚 something different about them 麻豆精品 S� not only what they 麻豆精品 S檙e doing with technology, but why they 麻豆精品 S檙e doing it. 麻豆精品 S�

Griffin says this today from the perspective of a smartARM user. A few minutes ago, he was cleaning his son 麻豆精品 S檚 bottles with the help of a smartARM. Yesterday, he picked through produce at his favorite market with it. Every time he lifted an apple, the prosthetic collected real-time data and fed it into a constantly improving algorithm. When he picks up an apple tomorrow, the arm will be smarter than it was yesterday.

麻豆精品 S淚 didn 麻豆精品 S檛 know how helpful it would be until I started using it, 麻豆精品 S� Griffin says.

The technology, however, is just part of the reason he wanted to join the smartARM team.

麻豆精品 S淭heir values match mine, 麻豆精品 S� he says. During his initial conversation with smartARM 麻豆精品 S檚 founders in 2022, he heard a story about a friend of theirs who never had a commercial-grade prosthetic because of the high cost. Griffin heard words that had been missing from his brief discussions with other prosthetic makers: affordability and accessibility.

麻豆精品 S淚 could relate to those issues, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檓 at a point now where I can say my challenges were part of God 麻豆精品 S檚 purpose for me 麻豆精品 S� to overcome obstacles and be in a position to do more good for others. smartARM fits that purpose. 麻豆精品 S�

Now, let 麻豆精品 S檚 go back to the Griffins 麻豆精品 S� garage in St. Petersburg, Florida. Before Shaquem and Shaquill helped put UCF on the national football map, before Shaquem was named defensive player of the year in the American Athletic Conference, before he set the record for the fastest 40-yard-dash time by a linebacker at the NFL combine, before he was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks and before he 麻豆精品 S檇 ever heard of smartARM, there was just a set of tools and a workbench in the garage. Griffin 麻豆精品 S檚 father also brought vision into the garage. In his mind, he saw a prosthetic his son could use for training. But instead of taking out a $40,000 loan to buy it, he 麻豆精品 S檇 build it.

麻豆精品 S淲ho can afford that kind of money? 麻豆精品 S� Griffin says. 麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檝e always thought it 麻豆精品 S檚 wrong that people who really need prosthetics often don 麻豆精品 S檛 have access to them. 麻豆精品 S�

Through middle school and high school, Griffin would use 麻豆精品 S渄ad 麻豆精品 S檚 contraption 麻豆精品 S� as he calls it to lift weights. Shaquill was his dedicated spotter. Whenever the contraption broke, dad would buy a replacement part and fix it, or he 麻豆精品 S檇 build a new one. When Griffin arrived at UCF to prepare for his freshman season, the Knights training staff surprised him with a commercial-grade prosthetic.

He returned the favor by surprising them, too.

麻豆精品 S淭hey 麻豆精品 S檇 never seen someone doing pullups and pushups the way I did them. They didn 麻豆精品 S檛 expect me to increase my bench press to 385 pounds with the prosthetic either. Looking back, I was changing the way people think about disabilities. 麻豆精品 S�

Griffin was growing off the field, too, earning a , which prepared him to share his powerful story with large audiences. He studied business books so he could be a discerning investor, and he immersed himself in technology to learn how it works and how it can be improved. Whenever a prosthetic company came along to pitch Griffin about a partnership, he knew exactly what to ask.

“What kind of advanced tech do you use? How do you plan to scale it?” And most important: “What will it cost the person who needs it?”

麻豆精品 S淏eing a D-1 football player gave me access to resources that others don 麻豆精品 S檛 typically have, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淭hose resources shouldn 麻豆精品 S檛 be exclusive. With smartARM I have an opportunity to bring them to a space that 麻豆精品 S檚 been lacking forever. 麻豆精品 S�

Griffin now has something more tangible to share with families who frequently contact him simply for an encouraging word.

麻豆精品 S淧arents of disabled children have approached me since I was a teenager, asking if their child would ever make friends, if they 麻豆精品 S檇 be able to play sports, if they 麻豆精品 S檇 find someone to marry,” he says. “Honestly, I didn 麻豆精品 S檛 know what to say because I was going through it myself. I 麻豆精品 S檇 hear comments like, 麻豆精品 S極h, he 麻豆精品 S檚 pretty good for being handicapped. 麻豆精品 S� I thought all of that would change when I made it to the NFL, but it didn 麻豆精品 S檛. Eventually, I realized I was trying to erase something that could actually make me a blessing to others. 麻豆精品 S�

Proving others wrong once motivated Griffin. Today, perspective drives him. He knows how the workbench in the garage morphed into his platform. He 麻豆精品 S檚 spreading awareness, assembling like-minded investors, and participating in technology advancements. With his help, the cost of a smartARM is almost one-fourth the cost of most bionic prosthetics 麻豆精品 S� and he 麻豆精品 S檚 hopeful that insurance plans will soon cover the costs.

麻豆精品 S淭his is just the start, 麻豆精品 S� Griffin says. 麻豆精品 S淢y goal is for more people to commit resources to help others the way smartARM is doing. Let 麻豆精品 S檚 provide access so we can see the capabilities of those who have been marginalized. You 麻豆精品 S檒l be surprised what they can do. That 麻豆精品 S檚 my message and it 麻豆精品 S檚 now my purpose. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淭oday marks an exciting reunion for UCF Football as we welcome back Scott Frost, a coach who ignites the spirit and passion of Knight Nation, 麻豆精品 S� Mohajir says. 麻豆精品 S淪cott 麻豆精品 S檚 love for his players along with his leadership, enthusiasm and vision were pivotal in making the decision to bring him back to UCF. Throughout this national search, his passion for UCF was clear. I believe no one wanted to lead our program more than Scott. 麻豆精品 S�

Frost originally served as UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 head coach from 2016 to 2017, culminating in a historic 13-0 season, an American Athletic Conference (AAC) championship and a national championship that captured the nation 麻豆精品 S檚 attention. In his final game, Frost guided UCF to a victory over No. 7 Auburn in the 2018 Peach Bowl, securing the program 麻豆精品 S檚 first undefeated season in school history.

Frost posted the greatest two-year turnaround in college football history at UCF, inheriting a 0-12 team in 2015 and taking the Knights to a perfect season in his second and final year, when he was named the national coach of the year.

麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檓 deeply honored to return to UCF, a school that has always held a special place in my heart, 麻豆精品 S� Frost says. 麻豆精品 S淭he foundation we built here has only grown stronger, and I am thrilled to continue shaping this program 麻豆精品 S檚 legacy. As we prepare for year three in the Big 12 Conference, I look forward to working alongside our dedicated student-athletes, talented staff and passionate fans to reach new heights together. 麻豆精品 S�

Frost went a combined 19-7 in two seasons at UCF, helping turn an 0-12 team into a 13-0 squad in just two years. In Frost 麻豆精品 S檚 first season, he took the Knights to a bowl game and finished with a 6-7 record. The turnaround was historic, as Frost became the only first-year coach in FBS history to make a bowl game with a team that was winless the previous season. UCF led the nation with a six-win improvement in 2016 and exceeded that mark in 2017 as the nation 麻豆精品 S檚 only undefeated team. The Knights put together the first undefeated regular season in UCF and AAC history in 2017, posted the longest winning streak in school history at the time of his departure (13 games), achieved the highest in-season ranking in program history (10th), highest final ranking (sixth) and set an AAC record with 16 all-conference selections.

UCF was led by its high-powered offense and improved defense under Frost. The Knights led the nation in scoring at 48.2 points per game and were the only FBS team to score at least 30 points in every game in 2017. Defensively, UCF improved its scoring defense by 65 spots in Frost’s two seasons.

In addition to being the unanimous choice as the 2017 AAC Coach of the Year, Frost was honored as the national coach of the year by the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, the Touchdown Club of Columbus, the Lombardi Award and FCA in addition to winning the Home Depot, Paul “Bear” Bryant and Eddie Robinson coach-of-the-year awards.

Frost began his coaching career at Northern Iowa in 2007 as a linebackers coach and was promoted to co-defensive coordinator in 2008. That season, his defense excelled, tying for third in the FCS with 40 takeaways and ranking ninth in scoring defense, allowing just 17.7 points per game. The 12-3 Panthers also led the Missouri Valley Football Conference in both rushing defense (107.1 yards per game) and scoring defense.

In 2009, Frost joined the Oregon coaching staff as the wide receivers coach under head coach Chip Kelly and offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich. Frost helped Oregon post a 79-14 record in his seven seasons, during which time the Ducks won four conference titles and twice played for the national championship.

Oregon never ranked lower than eighth nationally in scoring offense during Frost’s seven seasons on staff, and the Ducks led the nation in scoring in 2010. Frost was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2013, and Oregon ranked in the top five nationally in both scoring and total offense each of his three seasons calling plays. The Ducks scored 681 points in 2014, the second-highest total in NCAA history. Oregon made it to the College Football Playoff Championship Game that year, when Frost was one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, presented annually to the nation’s top assistant. Frost’s quarterback, Marcus Mariota, won the Heisman Trophy and was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

After Kelly left for the Philadelphia Eagles, Oregon promoted Mark Helfrich to head coach and named Frost offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2013. In this role, Frost guided Marcus Mariota to a Heisman Trophy win and a berth in the national championship game. During Frost 麻豆精品 S檚 tenure as offensive coordinator, Oregon recorded a 33 麻豆精品 S�8 record and consistently ranked among the nation 麻豆精品 S檚 top teams in scoring and total offense. His standout performance in 2014 earned him a finalist spot for the prestigious Broyles Award, recognizing the nation 麻豆精品 S檚 top assistant coach.

Following his two years at UCF, Scott Frost served as the head football coach at the University of Nebraska for four-plus seasons from 2018 to 2022, coaching the first three games of the 2022 season. Frost posted a 16-31 record with the Cornhuskers. His tenure was defined by close losses, as 23 of his 31 losses were by single digits, including each of his final 13. Nebraska lost 22 one-score games during Frost’s career, including 12 games by five or fewer points.

This season, Frost has been serving as a coaching consultant for Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams.

FROST CAREER COACHING ACCOLADES:

• Consensus National Coach of the Year (2017)
• AFCA Coach of the Year (2017)
• Bear Bryant Coach of the Year (2017)
• Home Depot Coach of the Year (2017)
• Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year (2017)
• FCA Coach of the Year (2017)
• AP Coach of the Year (2017)
• American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (2017, Unanimous Selection)
• Broyles Award Finalist (2014)
• Led UCF to a 13-0 record in 2017, when the Knights were the nation’s only undefeated team
• Led UCF to the first perfect regular season in school and American Athletic Conference history in 2017
• Head coach of the greatest two-year turnaround in college football history (0-12 to 13-0)

Check out the timeline of exciting on-campus events 麻豆精品 S痩eading up to Saturday 麻豆精品 S檚 game 麻豆精品 S� each a great opportunity to welcome the FOX crew, show them the energy and enthusiasm of Knight Nation听补苍诲 showcase our Black & Gold pride.

Plus, get all the logistical information on game day parking, road closures, tickets and more.

Schedule of Events

Saturday, Sept. 28聽

8 a.m. 麻豆精品 S� Parking Opens

All game day parking lots are open. Fans are encouraged to arrive in time to enjoy the festivities, including live music, interactive games and special guest appearances.

8:30 a.m. 麻豆精品 S� Fan Pit Opens

The Big Noon Kickoff fan pit opens, and the pre-show begins. Bring the energy and deck out in your best Black & Gold to show television audiences around the country a glimpse of what to expect when they tune into FOX on Saturday morning. 麻豆精品 S疶he show 麻豆精品 S檚 staging area will be located next to the Veterans Commemorative Site on the Student Union side of Memory Mall.

Big Noon Kickoff will be awarding $500 for the best sign as well as free tickets to the Colorado game.

10 a.m. 麻豆精品 S� It 麻豆精品 S檚 Showtime for 麻豆精品 S�Big Noon Kickoff

FOX 麻豆精品 S檚 iconic college football pregame show, airing from 10 a.m. to noon, will make its debut at UCF 麻豆精品 S� marking the first time in program history that this star-studded show broadcasts from Orlando.

Big Noon Kickoff will be hosted by Rob Stone with analysts Mark Ingram II, Matt Leinart, Urban Meyer and Brady Quinn, reporters Bruce Feldman and Tom Rinaldi and wagering expert Chris 麻豆精品 S楾he Bear 麻豆精品 S� Fallica. Legendary DJ and record producer DJ Khaled will also make a special appearance.

3:30 p.m. 麻豆精品 S� Kickoff: UCF vs. Colorado at FBC Mortgage Stadium

UCF Football takes on first-time opponent Colorado at 3:30 p.m. 麻豆精品 S� aiming for their first 4-0 season start since 2018. The game, which is sold out for fans, will air on FOX.

Students聽who claimed聽digital tickets (pink) for the Colorado game will be ensured entry 麻豆精品 S� but they MUST be in the student line on the northwest side of the stadium at least 30 minutes before kickoff.

Gates six through nine open for students 90 minutes before kickoff 麻豆精品 S� at聽2 p.m.

Student digital tickets for Colorado have all been claimed. However, students can still claim聽standby passes (blue) for the game. If the student section has not reached capacity, students with a standby pass will be admitted into the stadium starting 30 minutes prior to kickoff.

Pit and Sign Rules

笔颈迟听

• By entering the pit, fans are agreeing to allow FOX to use captured media such as video or images without compensation in their broadcast and marketing of their show.

• No food or drinks are allowed in the pit. Please plan to dispose of them before entering.

• No bags are allowed in the pit. This includes but is not exclusive to backpacks, book bags or purses.

• No markers, pens, pencils or dry erase boards.

• Signs in the pit may not be attached to poles, sticks or other extensions.

• Signs are subject to approval by FOX and UCF personnel. Those attempting to enter the pit may be denied entry should their sign be deemed inappropriate. The individual must discard the sign at their own risk.

• All persons entering the pit are assuming risk and are subject to search or removal by security personnel.

Signs

• Fans may bring their own signs.

• No derogatory, vulgar or political messages are allowed. Signs may be removed at the discretion of FOX or UCF personnel.

• No sponsored signs or any references to .com 麻豆精品 S檚 or other websites.

• While signs with poles, sticks or other extensions are permitted behind the pit, those extensions will NOT be allowed in FBC Mortgage Stadium.

Parking, Road Closures and Shuttles

Parking

On Saturday, free parking is available in Garages A, B and I, and parking lots B5, B6, B9 and H4 starting at 8 a.m. when game day activities begin.

Gold Zone Parking Passes

On Saturday, Athletics Gold Zone parking passes are required for garages C, D and F, parking lots C1-C3, D1-D2 and E1-E8, and the baseball lot. Vehicles in those areas without the required game day permits are subject to towing at 5 a.m. Overnight parking also is not allowed in Garage H.

Accessibility Parking

For the 麻豆精品 S疊ig Noon Kickoff 麻豆精品 S�broadcast, individuals with disabilities can use accessible parking spaces by displaying a valid ADA hang tag or license plate. Parking for guests with disabilities is available on the first level of Garage C with a proper Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles permit on a first-come, first-served basis. The individual who was issued the permit must be with the vehicle.

Student Shuttles

UCF will operate game-day buses for all normally serviced apartment complexes with the exception of Northview, Tivoli and Northgate due to their close proximity to the stadium. Service to those communities begins at 8 a.m. and concludes two hours after the game ends.

The Rosen College and UCF Downtown shuttles will depart their respective campuses at 8 a.m. with an additional run at 11:30 a.m. They will depart the main campus at 7:30 p.m. A valid UCF ID is required to access all student shuttles.

Game Day Road Closures

Gemini Boulevard North will close from West Plaza Drive to North Orion Boulevard at 7 a.m.

Starting at 5 p.m., all lanes of North Orion Boulevard will be dedicated to traffic exiting campus, meaning no traffic can enter campus via North Orion Boulevard.

Knights Victory Way closes at 5 a.m. until about 90 minutes after the game.

East Plaza Drive will be closed between Knights Victory Way and Gemini Boulevard聽starting at 2 a.m. on game day.

Clear Bag Policy

If you 麻豆精品 S檙e attending the game, don 麻豆精品 S檛 forget, a clear-bag policy is in effect to provide a safer environment and more expedited entry for fans. This policy limits the size and type of bags that may be brought into all sporting events at FBC Mortgage Stadium. There is no place at the stadium for fans to check bags. While fans are encouraged to not bring any bags, those that do can 麻豆精品 S�. For more information, visit the UCF Game Day Guide.

What to Wear

Fans going to the game are encouraged to 麻豆精品 S渂lack out 麻豆精品 S� FBC Mortgage Stadium. 麻豆精品 S痀ou can find apparel through 麻豆精品 S痵hopucfknights.com.

FOX recently announced that its popular pregame show will be broadcasting live from UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 campus at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, before the Knights (3-0, 1-0 Big 12) take on the Colorado Buffaloes (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX. It marks the first time in program history that the star-studded show will be broadcasting from Orlando.

The two-hour pregame show will be hosted by Rob Stone and analysts Mark Ingram II, Matt Leinart, Urban Meyer and Brady Quinn along with reporters Bruce Feldman and Tom Rinaldi and wagering expert, Chris 麻豆精品 S楾he Bear 麻豆精品 S� Fallica.

麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S檙e thrilled to welcome FOX Big Noon Kickoff to UCF, 麻豆精品 S� says UCF Vice President and Athletic Director Terry Mohajir. 麻豆精品 S淲hat a fantastic opportunity to showcase our program, our incredible fans, and the electric atmosphere on campus and in FBC Mortgage Stadium as I know Knight Nation will deliver the best fan participation they 麻豆精品 S檝e had. I 麻豆精品 S檇 like to thank FOX, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark and the staff at the conference office for this tremendous opportunity. We 麻豆精品 S檙e looking forward to an exciting day and a great game. 麻豆精品 S�

Big Noon Kickoff, known for its lively pregame show and expert analysis, will set the stage for an action-packed day of college football. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the festivities, including live music, interactive games, and special guest appearances.

The matchup marks a significant early-season clash, with both teams looking to make a statement in the Big 12. UCF, coming off a 3-0 start to the season, aims to harness the momentum of a home crowd and the national spotlight. This highly anticipated matchup promises to deliver an electrifying atmosphere, showcasing UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 vibrant football culture and fanbase.

For more information on the event, including ticketing and tailgating details, visit UCFKnights.com or follow聽聽on social media.

UCF kicks off the season with a pair of non-conference home games, as New Hampshire heads to Orlando for the season opener on Thursday, Aug. 29, followed by a visit from Sam Houston on Saturday, Sept. 7.

The Knights will then face an early road test, as they open Big 12 Conference play at TCU on Sept. 14. The Horned Frogs advanced to the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

After the first of two bye weeks during the season (Sept. 21), the Knights welcome Colorado in their Big 12 home opener on Sept. 28. The month of October begins with a two-hour trip north to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville for a matchup with the Florida Gators on Saturday, Oct. 5.

Cincinnati heads to FBC Mortgage Stadium on Oct. 12 on Military Appreciation Day, as the Knights and Bearcats will meet for the 10th consecutive season.

The Knights hit the road again on Oct. 19, making the program 麻豆精品 S檚 first trip to Ames, Iowa, for a showdown with Iowa State, before returning home on Oct. 26 to face BYU. November begins with consecutive matchups with new Big 12 members from the Grand Canyon State, as UCF hosts Arizona on Nov. 2 and travels to Tempe on Nov. 9 to take on Arizona State.

Following the Knights 麻豆精品 S� longest road trip of the season, UCF has its second bye week on Nov. 16 before gearing up for the final stretch of the regular season. The Black and Gold face West Virginia on the road on Nov. 23, before concluding the regular season with a clash against Utah on Black Friday, Nov. 29.

UCF will have its inaugural meetings against New Hampshire, Sam Houston, TCU, Colorado, Iowa State, Arizona and Utah on the gridiron. Five of the Knights 麻豆精品 S� seven home games are against teams that will visit FBC Mortgage Stadium for the first time and two of UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 four out-of-state road trips are followed by a bye week and the other two have a home game afterwards.

Kickoff times for the first three weeks of the season will be announced this summer. The Big 12 will publish the remainder of the game times on a regular basis throughout the fall, on either a 12- or six-day turnaround from week to week.

Season ticket relocation and upgrades are currently underway, and anyone interested in joining the season ticket waitlist can do so by clicking here.

UCF will hold its annual spring game on Friday, April 12, at 7 p.m. at FBC Mortgage Stadium.

Here 麻豆精品 S檚 the complete 2024 UCF football schedule:

Aug. 29 (Thur.) vs. NEW HAMPSHIRE

Sept. 7 vs. SAM HOUSTON
Family Weekend

Sept. 14 at TCU*

Sept. 21 Bye Week

Sept. 28 vs. COLORADO*

Oct. 5 at Florida

Oct. 12 vs. CINCINNATI*
Military Appreciation Day

Oct. 19 at Iowa State*

Oct. 26 vs. BYU*
Homecoming

Nov. 2 vs. ARIZONA*
Space Game

Nov. 9 at Arizona State*

Nov. 16 Bye Week

Nov. 23 at West Virginia*

Nov. 29 (Fri.) vs. UTAH*
Senior Knight

Dec. 7 Big 12 Championship Game at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

*Big 12 Conference games

Home games in bold CAPS

Kickoff times and tv designations TBD

Big 12 Conference representative UCF (6-6) will meet Atlantic Coast Conference member Georgia Tech (6-6) at 6:30 p.m. EST on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, in 65,000-seat Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl. The game will be televised by ESPN.

Ticket information including pricing, seat locations, and the seat selection process will be sent tomorrow (Monday, Dec. 4) with priority given to Shareholders Society donors and 2023 football season ticket members.

It 麻豆精品 S檚 a program-record eighth consecutive postseason bowl appearance for the Knights, the 11th in 12 seasons and the 15th in 19 years. UCF also previously played in the NCAA Division II playoffs in 1987 and in the NCAA FCS Playoffs in 1990 and 1993.

It 麻豆精品 S檚 the third time in five years UCF has played in the Gasparilla Bowl 麻豆精品 S� and the second time in three years that has happened under current UCF coach Gus Malzahn. The Knights defeated Florida 29-17 in the 2021 Gasparilla Bowl and won 48-25 against Marshall in the 2019 Gasparilla Bowl.

The Knights previously have played twice each in the Fiesta Bowl (following 2014 and 2018 seasons), Liberty Bowl (2007 and 2010), St. Petersburg Bowl (2009 and 2014) and Gasparilla Bowl (2019 and 2021) and once each in the Hawaii Bowl (2005), Beef O 麻豆精品 S橞rady 麻豆精品 S檚 Bowl (2012), Cure Bowl (2016), Peach Bowl (2017), Boca Raton Bowl (2020) and Military Bowl (2022).

Malzahn has seen his teams qualify for postseason bowl games in all 12 years he has been a head coach, including seven appearances in New Year 麻豆精品 S檚 Day games: 2013 in BCS National Championship Game vs. Florida State, 2014 in Outback Bowl vs. Wisconsin, 2015 in Birmingham Bowl win vs. Memphis, 2016 in Sugar Bowl vs. Oklahoma, 2017 in Peach Bowl vs. UCF, 2018 in Music City Bowl win vs. Purdue, 2019 Outback Bowl vs. Minnesota, 2021 Gasparilla Bowl vs. Florida, 2022 Military vs. Duke and 2023 Gasparilla Bowl vs. Georgia Tech. Malzahn 麻豆精品 S檚 2012 Arkansas State team qualified for a bowl game 麻豆精品 S攂ut he already had accepted the head coaching job at Auburn and did not coach the bowl game. He also did not coach the Auburn bowl game after the 2020 season after leading the Tigers to the Citrus Bowl vs. Northwestern.

UCF and Georgia Tech will play for the sixth time and the second consecutive season with UCF winning 27-10 last year in Orlando.

• Classes on the main campus, in the Central Florida Research Park, at UCF Downtown, at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management and on UCF Connect campuses will conclude at 2 p.m. Offices and libraries at those locations also will close for normal operations at 2 p.m.

• For classes in progress at 2 p.m., faculty may choose to conduct the portions of those sessions that come before 2 p.m. Faculty with those classes should communicate their plans to students.

• Many UCF Dining Services locations will remain open 麻豆精品 S� check for operating hours.

• Game day activities on most of the campus will begin at 3:30 p.m.

Tickets

• A limited number of tickets is available and can be purchased at .

Claiming Free Student Admission

• Admission to home games is free for UCF students. Mobile passes must be claimed through the official UCF Gameday app prior to game day. Download the or the .

• Visit for instructions on how to register and claim your ticket. You must register using your UCF.edu email.

• If you are unable to access the UCF Gameday app, passes can also be accessed from your mobile phone browser at 麻豆精品 S�.

• Students should plan to arrive at the stadium well before kickoff to secure a seat. Gates 6-9 open for students at 5 p.m. 麻豆精品 S� Make sure to save your pass to your phone before you get to the gate. 麻豆精品 S疜nightmare Society Members can enter through Gate 14.

• Admission is first-come, first-served for students who claim passes. Claiming a free student mobile pass does not guarantee entry. For entry into the stadium, you must have your student ID and your phone to scan the pass. Screenshots will not be accepted.

Parking and Towing

• Regular main campus parking policies will be in effect until 2 p.m.

• Where can students, faculty and staff park after classes have concluded?
• Garages A, B and I and lots B5, B6, B9 and H4.

• Where are vehicles subject to towing?
• Beginning at 3 p.m. in garages C, D, F and H and lots B4, C1-C3, D1-D2, E1-E8 and the baseball lot. Vehicles with an Athletics Gold Zone parking pass designated for their lot or garage may remain there after 3 p.m. The rear portion of lot B7 will be reserved starting at 9 a.m. for recreational vehicles.

• The entrance to Garage H will close at noon and reopen at 3:30 p.m. for game day parking. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S疺ehicles parked in Garage H in the morning must be moved out by 3 p.m.

Student Shuttles

• Regular weekday student shuttle routes will switch over to game-day shuttle operations at 2 p.m., and the game-day shuttles will continue to run until two hours after the game ends.

• UCF will operate game-day buses for all normally serviced apartment complexes with the exception of Northview, Tivoli and Northgate due to their close proximity to the stadium. Services to those communities ends at 2 p.m.

• Rosen College shuttle: Departs Rosen at 3 p.m., departs main campus at 11 p.m.

• UCF Downtown shuttle: Departs UCF Downtown at 3:30 and 4:30 p.m., departs main campus at 11 p.m. There will be a 3:45 p.m. departure from the main campus.

Game Day Road Closures

• Gemini Boulevard North
• Between West Plaza Drive and North Orion Boulevard closed to all traffic starting at 3 p.m. until about one hour after the game ends.

• North Orion Boulevard
• Starting at 8:30 p.m., all lanes will be dedicated to traffic exiting campus, meaning no traffic can enter campus via North Orion Boulevard.

• East Plaza Drive

• Closed all day from Knights Victory Way to Gemini Boulevard

Go Knights, Charge On!

May 24, 2023. Big 12 Business Summit. Arlington, Texas.

Eric DeSalvo 麻豆精品 S�09, UCF associate athletics director of #content, settles into his seat among the crowd of marketing and sales leadership staff from around the Big 12 Conference as the league 麻豆精品 S檚 commissioner, Brett Yormark, takes the stand for his opening remarks.

麻豆精品 S淗e starts it off and he goes, 麻豆精品 S楾hese are the four things that are my pillars: innovation, creativity, disruption and taking risks, 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� DeSalvo recalls. 麻豆精品 S淎nd I immediately think, is he talking about himself or UCF? 麻豆精品 S�

Being 麻豆精品 S渂old 麻豆精品 S� and 麻豆精品 S渋nnovative 麻豆精品 S� and 麻豆精品 S渄isruptive 麻豆精品 S� might just sound like hot buzz words for brands to adopt in 2023. But in UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 case, it 麻豆精品 S檚 authentic. The Knights actually are all of these adjectives because they 麻豆精品 S檝e had to be.

Without the resources of longer-established universities 麻豆精品 S� University of Florida was founded in 1853, UCF in 1963 麻豆精品 S�

Without a longstanding history of fandom and donor support 麻豆精品 S� University of Texas 麻豆精品 S� alumni association was organized in 1885. UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 in 1975 麻豆精品 S�

Without decades of nationally televised games and promotional broadcasts 麻豆精品 S� Ohio State has hosted ESPN 麻豆精品 S檚 College GameDay a record 22 times, UCF once 麻豆精品 S�

UCF has had to strategically rely on its youth to find ways to break through the noise in a state that boasts three other Power 5 institutions.

Enter: The benefit of big and the power of social media.

Building a Brand

Established in 1963, UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 meteoric rise to the Big 12 Conference makes it the youngest Power 5 institution in the country.

麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 a modern athletic department. I think it 麻豆精品 S檚 the future of higher education. It 麻豆精品 S檚 the future of college sports, 麻豆精品 S� says Zack Lassiter, vice president of athletics for Abilene Christian University who served as UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 麻豆精品 S痵enior associate athletic director of external operations from 2012-15.

But it wasn 麻豆精品 S檛 always necessarily this way.

DeSalvo knows UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 brand arguably better than anyone. The son of UCF graduate Joe DeSalvo 麻豆精品 S�75, he grew up going to UCF games in the mid-1990s at the Citrus Bowl and went on to graduate from UCF himself. He has worked for the athletic department since 2011 麻豆精品 S� first in communications before he transitioned to what is now known as the #content department in 2013.

He says in his youth, he would have described UCF as having 麻豆精品 S渁 lot of potential 麻豆精品 S� and 麻豆精品 S渙n the brink. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淔or a long time, UCF was 麻豆精品 S淯C-If 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� If we only didn 麻豆精品 S檛 get a phantom holding call against Georgia. If we didn 麻豆精品 S檛 miss the extra point here. And there were so many of those games across all sports that you were like, you 麻豆精品 S檙e right there 麻豆精品 S斅� if only, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淏ut you saw the potential. You were definitely on the cusp. 麻豆精品 S�

On3 National College Football host Andy Staples, who moved to Central Florida as a middle schooler and graduated from Lake Mary High School, echoes the same sentiments.

麻豆精品 S淵ou didn 麻豆精品 S檛 think of UCF in the same way you would have thought of Miami or Florida State or Florida, 麻豆精品 S� Staples says. 麻豆精品 S淵ou 麻豆精品 S檇 go to the campus and you didn 麻豆精品 S檛 see a lot of UCF gear. It didn 麻豆精品 S檛 feel like a destination-type campus. We went there a lot for science fairs or somebody would be having their graduation at the arena 麻豆精品 S� it didn 麻豆精品 S檛 feel as much like a place that people say, 麻豆精品 S業 grow up wanting to go to UCF, 麻豆精品 S� or 麻豆精品 S業 麻豆精品 S檝e been a UCF fan my whole life. 麻豆精品 S� You just never would expect anybody to say that back in the 麻豆精品 S�90s. Watching it change over the decades has been pretty amazing. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S業 麻豆精品 S檝e been a UCF fan my whole life. 麻豆精品 S� You just never would expect anybody to say that back in the 麻豆精品 S�90s. Watching it change over the decades has been pretty amazing. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Andy Staples, On3 National College Football host

When former Athletic Director Todd Stansbury recruited Lassiter to join UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 athletic department in 2012, the west coast native didn 麻豆精品 S檛 have much familiarity with UCF.

Lassiter made it a point to ask a lot of questions and listen to campus counterparts, young alumni and students to gain a better understanding of how the university had gotten to where it was so quickly.

麻豆精品 S淲e were young, but we were big, and so in that sense you could tell that, that was something that we could probably do better than anyone else, 麻豆精品 S� Lassiter says.

Indeed, UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 enrollment in 2012 just tipped 60,000. Today it 麻豆精品 S檚 more than 68,000. The university confers more than 18,000 degrees annually, and its alumni base clocks in at more than 368,000 麻豆精品 S� nearly half of which still live in Central Florida.

Perhaps the most important stat is that the average alumni age is 42 years old. So, by the time that Lassiter joined the fold, social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter, founded in 2006) and Instagram (founded in 2010) were starting to really take off in the sports world and UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 biggest fan base was very active on social media.

It was the perfect combination.

麻豆精品 S淧erception is reality. And if you feel like you 麻豆精品 S檙e getting hit up by a bunch of UCF fans on Twitter, their reality is you are because the numbers are there between our enrollment and alumni, 麻豆精品 S� DeSalvo says. 麻豆精品 S淥ur fanbase can celebrate the big moments with big numbers. They can pile on to somebody who shows some disrespect. They can win a Twitter poll like no other. By always showing up, they 麻豆精品 S檝e backed up what is on paper. 麻豆精品 S�

So, the department decided to lean into social to stand out. UCF Athletics hired a full-time social media manager, Keal Blache 麻豆精品 S�11, who served a short stint. When he vacated the position in 2013, Lassiter approached DeSalvo about the opening because of DeSalvo 麻豆精品 S檚 penchant for being creative with the social accounts in his role at the time as the communications contact for the volleyball and baseball teams.

麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檒l never forget 麻豆精品 S� I think I 麻豆精品 S檓 at (former UCF basketball player and athletics staff member) Mike O 麻豆精品 S橠onnell 麻豆精品 S檚 wedding. And Todd Stansbury 麻豆精品 S檚 there and he goes, 麻豆精品 S楬ey you 麻豆精品 S檙e moving over to the social role, right? 麻豆精品 S� I 麻豆精品 S檓 like, 麻豆精品 S榊eah. 麻豆精品 S� He goes, 麻豆精品 S楢lright. Push the envelope. 麻豆精品 S� OK. Todd is telling me to push the envelope. I 麻豆精品 S檒l do my best.

麻豆精品 S淚 can thank Blake Bortles and Storm Johnson and J.J. Worton聽 麻豆精品 S�14 听补苍诲 Terrance Plummer 麻豆精品 S�21 and that crew for helping me push the envelope because there 麻豆精品 S檚 no greater year one than going to the . 麻豆精品 S�

In the last decade, UCF has had three athletic directors 麻豆精品 S� all of whom DeSalvo says have continued to buy-into the 麻豆精品 S減ush the envelope 麻豆精品 S� mentality 麻豆精品 S� four football head coaches and four university presidential leadership transitions. But the same voice on social media, which has benefitted UCF immensely.

麻豆精品 S淚f there is somebody better at what Eric has done and what he has built, I haven 麻豆精品 S檛 met him. And there were a lot of other talented people that were a part of that. But I think what made him so great is he believed it, 麻豆精品 S� Lassiter says. 麻豆精品 S淗e could do it in a way that could connect, and a lot of our folks loved that it was a UCF person doing this. That 麻豆精品 S檚 the authenticity of what social can be at its best 麻豆精品 S� how do you become yourself in a way that galvanizes and gets people excited? He ran with it in ways that I hope 50 years from now if there 麻豆精品 S檚 a story about who were those individuals that played a part of that, I think Eric deserves a ton of credit for what he did. I think he had a lot of really talented people around him, and he was given kind of the keys to the kingdom so to speak, and we took off. 麻豆精品 S�

Those talented people are who DeSalvo credits for the team’s ability to not only stay relevant but maintain UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 status as one of the best brands to follow.

麻豆精品 S淭he staff is key. I can’t have all the ideas. The ideas can come from anyone 麻豆精品 S� from the AD (athletics director) to the interns, and many have over the years, 麻豆精品 S� DeSalvo says. 麻豆精品 S淲e also have a work environment to where it 麻豆精品 S檚 loose, but they are well aware of who our brand is. I always say, ‘There 麻豆精品 S檚 no bad ideas.’ I also get to say, ‘We don 麻豆精品 S檛 say no around here a whole bunch.’ If it 麻豆精品 S檚 trending and there 麻豆精品 S檚 a way we can insert UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 brand into this conversation and it makes sense, let 麻豆精品 S檚 do it.”

The Tweets That Made Us

Nicole Auerbach, The Athletic Senior Writer: Not everyone realized this as early as UCF, where social media is about fun. It 麻豆精品 S檚 about engaging and having fun, maybe going viral. But it 麻豆精品 S檚 about doing things that are different and not just having no personality. They always had personality, and I think that was immediately embraced by the fan base that was very online and very ready to engage on any topic.

Eric DeSalvo: The tweet was on a whim. I 麻豆精品 S檓 with (former Associate Athletics Director for Strategic Communications) Dan Forcella and I drafted it before the playoff selection show had gotten to it. We were wanting it to be Bama. And it happens, and I hit send. It really put us out there. It 麻豆精品 S檚 my favorite tweet I 麻豆精品 S檝e gotten to send.

Eric DeSalvo: That was designed by (former graphic designer) Channing Curtis. We kept seeing the Elmo version, and I asked him, 麻豆精品 S淗ey can you just put Knightro in his place? 麻豆精品 S� The first time we ever got to use it 麻豆精品 S� he made it that day 麻豆精品 S� we cracked the top 10 in the College Football Playoff rankings.

Andy Staples: I use Knightro gifs pretty frequently. I think Knightro with flames behind him is a very effective way of getting your point across. Those folks are very online. They 麻豆精品 S檙e very savvy. They know how to get our attention in the media, and they know how to keep the discussion going. They will defend UCF tooth and nail. They will not let you get away with slandering UCF in any way, shape or form. Which I appreciate. And there are other fan bases that are like that. But [UCF] seems to be a little more in on the joke than some of the others. The more established fanbases, you get people who are just mad at you. UCF Twitter, they know what they 麻豆精品 S檙e doing. And they know they know what they 麻豆精品 S檙e doing.

Eric DeSalvo: I wasn 麻豆精品 S檛 at that game 麻豆精品 S� I was at my mother-in-law 麻豆精品 S檚. But the game was on ESPN3. You could actually rewind, thankfully. He catches that ball. I 麻豆精品 S檓 losing my mind.

That was the No. 1 Vine for us for a long time. That one was getting so much national play.

That 麻豆精品 S檚 up there because it was so iconic.

DeSalvo: I joke that my iPhone that shot Danny White saying 麻豆精品 S渘ational champs, undefeated 麻豆精品 S� should go to the (UCF Athletics) Hall of Fame.

Nobody knew Danny was going to say that. We had a plan in place where we would continue to challenge the CFP. That 麻豆精品 S檚 what we were doing and needed to do for our team. (Senior Executive Associate Athletics Director of Brand Advancement and Chief Branding Officer) Jimmy Skiles took precedent from when he saw the year聽Auburn wasn 麻豆精品 S檛聽in the national championship game and were undefeated 麻豆精品 S� they had national championship rings made for their team. It was on the front cover of Sports Illustrated. And he remembered it. If they could do that back then, why can 麻豆精品 S檛 we?

So, we crafted messaging for like “undefeated champions.” We didn 麻豆精品 S檛 straight up say national champions. (Former graphic designer) Chris Stoney made some motion graphics, “13-0. Only undefeated team, who 麻豆精品 S檚 next?”

We knew if we didn 麻豆精品 S檛 do anything by the time our game ended and the playoff game started that day, we would be kind of irrelevant in the grand scheme of games. It would be a nice win and move on.

People should know Danny looking into my phone wasn 麻豆精品 S檛 anything new. I kind of conditioned him to do that, especially at road wins. I would go live at Facebook right as the clock would hit zero to take fans behind the scenes. A lot of the time we 麻豆精品 S檇 be walking by Danny as we went to the locker room. So, it wasn 麻豆精品 S檛 anything new for him to see my phone get shoved in his face.

He just quickly says those magic words. Oh boy. Here we go.

Andy Staples: Don 麻豆精品 S檛 run afoul of UCF Twitter. That 麻豆精品 S檚 all I got to say. This is a very passionate, very aggressive online fan base. Which listen that will fit right in (the Big 12). The good thing about UCF is that passion will match with Kansas State and Oklahoma State and Iowa State 麻豆精品 S� they are extraordinarily passionate people. They really love their teams. These are groups that will really appreciate one another.

Charging On

As social media has served as one of the tools to help define UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 brand over the years, one constant has been the Knights 麻豆精品 S� ability to rise up, to band together, to believe in its potential 麻豆精品 S� to Charge On.

As a rallying cry, Charge On was introduced during the Stansbury and Lassiter era.

“It wasn 麻豆精品 S檛 as though there was one calling card that really captured the energy or the belief of a UCF fan 麻豆精品 S� like 麻豆精品 S楪o Knights! 麻豆精品 S� was something to where, well how many other Knights are there in college athletics?” Lassiter says. “And I remember thinking that in social media hashtags were really important. What is that we can do?”

麻豆精品 S淥bviously a decade later it 麻豆精品 S檚 become something that I feel is the perfect, simple way to describe who UCF is. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Zack Lassiter, UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 麻豆精品 S痵enior associate athletic director of external operations from 2012-15.

And then Charge On surfaced. Lassiter recalls the idea came from an alum, who suggested it because the phrase is part of the lyrics in UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 fight song.

麻豆精品 S淲hen the idea was proposed, it seemed to make too much sense, 麻豆精品 S� Lassiter says. 麻豆精品 S淭his describes who we are. There 麻豆精品 S檚 a great history behind it. It 麻豆精品 S檚 incredibly nimble and flexible in how you can apply it certain ways. 麻豆精品 S�

So, Lassiter conducted an experiment. He walked around UCF Athletics 麻豆精品 S� main administration buildings and starting using the term without explanation to elicit genuine reactions from the staffers.

麻豆精品 S淣obody could figure out a way to say why that wouldn 麻豆精品 S檛 work, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淥bviously a decade later it 麻豆精品 S檚 become something that I feel is the perfect, simple way to describe who UCF is. 麻豆精品 S�

There is still so much of UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 story to be written. More traditions to carve out. More pushing the envelope unapologetically.

And what makes DeSalvo and the rest of the gatekeepers of the brand excited about the next chapter is the union with the renegades of the Big 12.

麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S檙e finally in a league that is exactly where we should be 麻豆精品 S� its identity is completely us, 麻豆精品 S� DeSalvo says. 麻豆精品 S淣ot only do we get to do this stuff here and try to do it as big as possible, now we have the backing of a Power 5 league that is going to help just throw gasoline on the fire and get it out there further.”

In 2017 and 2018, the UCF football team rose to the height of popularity and disrupted the college football world with its 25-0 run that spanned 745 days. The accomplishment ranks among the NCAA Division I FBS 麻豆精品 S� top 25 longest winning streaks of all time, cemented UCF as a national brand and exposed access barriers to the College Football Playoff.

The following story is the most detailed account reported of the program 麻豆精品 S檚 success, told exclusively by those who lived it. Read part one here.

Andrea Adelson, 聽ESPN senior writer: I remember sitting down with Josh Heupel in the spring of 2018 because the questions that everybody wanted to know were, 麻豆精品 S淗ow are you going to keep this momentum up? 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S淲hat was built here, how do you keep going? 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S淵ou 麻豆精品 S檙e going to be changing schemes. You 麻豆精品 S檙e going to have a new defensive coordinator. A new staff. What are you going to do? 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S淒oes that put pressure on you? 麻豆精品 S�

He said the most important thing he wanted to do that spring was learn from the players. Because the players had done it. And he had a lot of those players coming back.

Josh Heupel, 2018-2021 UCF football head coach: I think the success that the program had the year before I came in played a huge part in wanting to be a part of it. You had everything that you needed in a program to be successful. It felt like it was a unique place and time to be able to take over a program and have a chance to go win immediately.

It 麻豆精品 S檚 always important that your players feel that they have a say in the program to create buy-in from your players. The circumstances in the way that the staff and I were taking it over, it wasn 麻豆精品 S檛 a typical year one. Knowing that we were going to fast forward coming off that season, the expectations were to go compete for a championship and play in a big-time bowl game. You 麻豆精品 S檝e got to do that really quickly.

For me, it was important that from the very jump they understood that a lot of the things they felt really strongly about that helped them be successful are things that we again can incorporate into our program as we continue to build it moving forward.

Some of those things were really small 麻豆精品 S� uniforms and how they travel. Some of those things were big as far as the buildup and what a Thursday and Friday looked like before you get to kickoff on Saturday afternoon. The last 48 hours, we really wanted to make them feel comfortable and feel like they were still in the same type of routine as they were getting themselves ready to play.

Andrea Adelson: I thought that was really smart of him because he didn 麻豆精品 S檛 come in here trying to destroy a foundation that was already built because he 麻豆精品 S檚 the new head coach and (say), 麻豆精品 S淣ow we 麻豆精品 S檙e going to do things my way. 麻豆精品 S�

McKenzie Milton 麻豆精品 S�19, 2016-18 starting quarterback: Coach Frost and coach Heup, they 麻豆精品 S檙e different guys. Different personalities. I think it was a challenge in our locker room initially to welcome him in with open arms.

Josh Heupel: Relationships and trust are built over time. When I took over, I said, 麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檓 going to have to trust you guys and just kind of give you some (trust) without some of those experiences if we 麻豆精品 S檙e going to go be what we need to be as a football team when we get to next fall. You 麻豆精品 S檙e going to have to do that as well. 麻豆精品 S� Each phase of our off-season, they got more comfortable.

Marc Daniels, longtime UCF radio broadcaster: I believe we were penalized in the preseason rankings because we had a first-time coach in Josh Heupel. If Scott Frost came back in 2018, I believe we would have started in the top 10 and the same win streak happens, it would have been really hard to deny UCF a playoff spot in 2018. If you go back and look how the first few weeks of the season began, there 麻豆精品 S檚 a good chance UCF would have been in the top five before October. And I don 麻豆精品 S檛 know if they would have denied that. But they penalized UCF because Josh was a first-time coach. I think we started 21st in the preseason poll and didn 麻豆精品 S檛 get the same bounce to get up there.

Michael Colubiale 麻豆精品 S�17, 2013-18 tight end and special teams: Going into that year, we knew how good we were. I think everyone else knew how good we were, too. We were getting everyone 麻豆精品 S檚 best game. It was, 麻豆精品 S淥h, we got UCF this week, let 麻豆精品 S檚 put a big circle on it. 麻豆精品 S� Coming in and doing what we did versus UConn in a new system with a new coach kind of gave us a little more confidence going into the next games. We didn 麻豆精品 S檛 know what we were going to get. We were game planning for one style of defense and we 麻豆精品 S檇 come out and get a different style every single time. We had to adjust on the run, change our plays at halftime. It was definitely a grind.

This is where I feel like Heupel did a really good job. Our emphasis was 1-0 every week. We knew we won 13 straight, but Heupel, he beat it in our brains. I think I 麻豆精品 S檝e said it in 100 interviews: 麻豆精品 S淥ur focus is to go 1-0 this week. 麻豆精品 S� Heupel really did a great job of making the guys buy into that motto. That 麻豆精品 S檚 what I feel like got us through that season a lot.

Josh Heupel: There was so much noise surrounding our program in a positive way, and there was certainly high expectations outside of it. I thought it was important to get our players to really focus on the path of how you become successful and understand that it doesn 麻豆精品 S檛 just follow you. It doesn 麻豆精品 S檛 just happen. You 麻豆精品 S檝e got to go make it happen. In our off-season, really started focusing on our daily habits and how we approach every single day.

As we got into the fall, that really became a really important motto for our football team. I thought our players bought into it and actually worked in that manner every single day and every single week. That was a huge part of our success.

Marc Daniels: I don 麻豆精品 S檛 want to take anything away from 2017 but you go into 2018 and the pressure begins to mount when the win streak goes to 14 and to 15 and it moves down the line. Here 麻豆精品 S檚 Memphis again. And I remember everything about this. All of a sudden the clouds come in. All of a sudden it begins to rain.

Josh Heupel: It was probably the wettest day I 麻豆精品 S檝e ever experienced on a football field as a coach or as a player.

Marc Daniels: We 麻豆精品 S檙e getting run off the field. We can 麻豆精品 S檛 stop Darrell Henderson. He 麻豆精品 S檚 running for touchdowns. Missing tackles. The offense is just sitting there, and we 麻豆精品 S檙e not doing anything.

Michael Colubiale: 30-17 麻豆精品 S� Matt Wright 麻豆精品 S�18 just drained a field goal right before half. We 麻豆精品 S檙e going into the locker room. Dudes were not looking too optimistic. I remember running to the tunnel and just waiting for everyone and just trying to tell everyone we 麻豆精品 S檙e still in this fight, we 麻豆精品 S檙e still in this fight. We 麻豆精品 S檙e playing with a pretty much broken McKenzie Milton.

McKenzie Milton: I was battling a grade 4 separated shoulder. I didn 麻豆精品 S檛 practice the whole week coming off of SMU.

Eric DeSalvo ’09, assistant athletics director of #content: I 麻豆精品 S檒l never forget his shoulder after the SMU game. He took his pads off and I 麻豆精品 S檓 like 麻豆精品 S淥hhh! 麻豆精品 S� It was purple, yellow, blue.

Josh Heupel: I thought at halftime the ability of our leadership, Pat Jasinksi on the backside, Wyatt Miller 麻豆精品 S�18, McKenzie Milton, to be able to get up in front of (the team) and understand that there 麻豆精品 S檚 a lot of things that have been built, this was a pivotal moment for our program and the course of this season, our ability to compete for a championship 麻豆精品 S� which obviously a conference championship was the No. 1 goal that we had 麻豆精品 S� those guys as much as anything were able to reset the entire locker room, bring some real calm to it and refocus us as we went out. Understand it was one play at a time. We were good enough in all three phases to go out and execute and come back in this football game.

McKenzie Milton: We were struggling to get momentum, pouring rain. We had a pass play. I scrambled up the middle, made a guy miss.

Marc Daniels: It 麻豆精品 S檚 4^th-and-1 on your side of the field and you 麻豆精品 S檙e thinking, 麻豆精品 S淥K what are we going to do at the 29? 麻豆精品 S�

McKenzie Milton: I run to our sideline and I 麻豆精品 S檓 like looking at the (down and distance) and I 麻豆精品 S檓 like, 麻豆精品 S淐oach, we 麻豆精品 S檝e got to punt. 麻豆精品 S�

Josh Heupel: The clock was starting to move in the wrong direction on us in the second half. Felt like there were a limited number of opportunities. We 麻豆精品 S檙e in a short yardage situation.

McKenzie Milton: He 麻豆精品 S檚 looking at it, and he 麻豆精品 S檚 like, 麻豆精品 S淎lright, let 麻豆精品 S檚 go bone here. 麻豆精品 S�

Josh Heupel: It was an aggressive call but one that I felt like we had to go execute at that point in the football game. I also had great trust in our guys and our entire football team. But in particular the guys up front. Our five bigs, our tight ends and our skill guys being able to execute in that situation. KZ looked at me and had a question in his eyes. But it was the right moment in that situation for sure.

McKenzie Milton: We hardly go under center. I 麻豆精品 S檓 like, 麻豆精品 S淛ust don 麻豆精品 S檛 mess up this snap. Don 麻豆精品 S檛 fumble the snap. 麻豆精品 S� And when I did my part, handed it off, I 麻豆精品 S檓 like alright let 麻豆精品 S檚 see if this works out. At the time, I wasn 麻豆精品 S檛 sold on the call but luckily coach Heup, he had some big kahunas on that one. Trysten Hill made a great block, and Taj (McGowan 麻豆精品 S�19) was untouched to the end zone.

It was a huge momentum swing in the game and our season and, really, that was one of, if not the most defining play of that win streak.

Marc Daniels: You look back and you go, 麻豆精品 S淗ow in the world did UCF pull that out? 麻豆精品 S� And while we had more games, down 17 at Memphis in 2018 麻豆精品 S� that to me was the big (defining) moment.

McKenzie Milton: We gave everything in that game and we were able to be plus one. That 麻豆精品 S檚 a feeling I will never forget. The Peach Bowl was great, but it was also like a sense of relief, like 麻豆精品 S淥kay we didn 麻豆精品 S檛 blow it. 麻豆精品 S� But that one was all odds were against us and we found a way.

Eric DeSalvo: That was huge. But we still weren 麻豆精品 S檛 getting any respect for pulling out these wins. We 麻豆精品 S檝e never been one to shy away from stirring things up. Our administration saw an opportunity to do that by strategically sending staff members to sites of College GameDay (Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Pullman, Washington,) with UCF flags and signs to force the conversation.

And it 麻豆精品 S檚 clear that it 麻豆精品 S檚 becoming harder and harder to deny UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 relevance as the win streak continues, even if the pundits are downplaying the significance of the streak. So by the time we get to week 12 with Cincinnati and it 麻豆精品 S檚 a top-25 ranked matchup, we knew it was going to be very hard for College GameDay not to pick us. And yet, I think there was still a bit of shock that they actually did.

Michael Colubiale: That story of the 25-0 run had to have GameDay there, right? Seeing us as the center of a College GameDay was awesome. If you would have told me that in 2015, I would have said, 麻豆精品 S淎lright, get out of here. 麻豆精品 S� The whole build-up, finding out that Sunday with the coming to your city video they put out.

Josh Heupel: I remember driving home Friday after work and everything is getting set up. The amount of traffic on Thursday and Friday through our campus, you could feel the buzz on campus, but you could feel it in the city too. Big moments, big games are what as a competitor you love to be in. You could feel from our players the excitement and energy, but also the focus and preparation all week long. It was an unbelievable environment.

Marc Daniels: The night before (the Cincinnati game), I 麻豆精品 S檓 on campus. I go to interview Josh for a pregame interview. As I am coming into the office, Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, they 麻豆精品 S檙e leaving and it just kind of hits you like, they 麻豆精品 S檙e here doing this game.

Andrea Adelson: I just remember how many people were out. And all of the signs. And just the sheer joy. The sheer happiness of every single person who was there even though they probably were sleep deprived and had been lined up since the day before. It didn 麻豆精品 S檛 matter. GameDay was there.

I feel that it legitimized the program quite honestly. Because anytime you get that stamp of approval from GameDay when they 麻豆精品 S檝e never been there before, it says you 麻豆精品 S檝e made it. You 麻豆精品 S檙e big time. You 麻豆精品 S檙e important enough for us to come and travel to see you in person. And I 麻豆精品 S檓 not just saying that as somebody who works for ESPN 麻豆精品 S� I know there are several ACC schools who haven 麻豆精品 S檛 had GameDay who would LOVE GameDay to be there on their campus because it just adds that credibility to your program and to what you have built.

Linda Gooch 麻豆精品 S�85, UCF spirit coach and former cheerleader: (My husband) Alan (Gooch 麻豆精品 S�84 麻豆精品 S�89MA) and I have known Lee Corso for a long time. I get this phone call from him early in the week. I answer the phone, and he just goes, 麻豆精品 S淟inda! It 麻豆精品 S檚 going to be epic! 麻豆精品 S� I 麻豆精品 S檓 like, 麻豆精品 S淐oach? 麻豆精品 S� And he says, 麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檓 going to put the whole (Knightro) costume on, 麻豆精品 S� and I pull into a little cubby so I can really hear him. And he goes, 麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檓 going to put my people in touch with you but I 麻豆精品 S檓 putting the entire costume on. They 麻豆精品 S檙e building me a stage and everything. It 麻豆精品 S檚 going to be epic! 麻豆精品 S�

We were able to pull it off. We had I think it was 90 seconds to be able to get him into that costume and that head on. And it was epic. It was epic. Even today, when they do the intro to College GameDay, there it is.

McKenzie Milton: I just remember watching on TV in the morning and everybody getting excited. Seeing all the signs, it was cool. That place was rocking.

I 麻豆精品 S檝e got to admit, there were probably only two games where I was a little nervous. It was that one and the Peach Bowl. The first play from scrimmage I get a strip sack for a touchdown so it couldn 麻豆精品 S檛 have started much worse. But when they came out on offense their first series and they got two pre-snap penalties, that 麻豆精品 S檚 still the loudest stadium I 麻豆精品 S檝e ever played in.

It was the culmination of, wow we 麻豆精品 S檝e really done something special here and let 麻豆精品 S檚 keep it going. What else can we do? I don 麻豆精品 S檛 want to say that was the pinnacle of the streak. But that was my last full game I played as a Knight.

Andrea Adelson: I was at the USF game that year. In 2018 basically my job at the end of that season was to keep following UCF. They 麻豆精品 S檙e on a long winning streak. It looks like they 麻豆精品 S檙e about to play for another conference championship. They 麻豆精品 S檙e going to get into another New Year 麻豆精品 S檚 Six game. I was there expecting UCF to win by two or three touchdowns. I think that 麻豆精品 S檚 what a lot of people expected heading into that game.

McKenzie Milton: The first time I was considering the NFL was that week. My dad calls me and he 麻豆精品 S檚 like, 麻豆精品 S淗ey, I 麻豆精品 S檝e been talking to some people, we 麻豆精品 S檝e got a lot to talk about after these next two games. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� But coach (Mario) Verduzco would always tell me, 麻豆精品 S淵ou want to make God laugh, you tell him your plan. 麻豆精品 S� Sure enough, simple play we always ran, running the football, I take a helmet to the knee, and I got the worst knee injury in sports.

Mary Vander Heiden, UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 director of sports medicine and head football athletic trainer: Just like any other game we 麻豆精品 S檙e watching, looking for injury mechanisms. As soon as he was hit, we knew it was bad. I immediately started running. I don 麻豆精品 S檛 know that I 麻豆精品 S檝e ever run that fast in my life but got to him. Tried to protect him. I remember telling him, 麻豆精品 S淒on 麻豆精品 S檛 look, 麻豆精品 S� and he 麻豆精品 S檚 like, 麻豆精品 S淭oo late. 麻豆精品 S�

Andrea Adelson: The whole press box was silent. Nobody said a word because we were all stunned and frightened, to be honest, because it looked that bad from where we were sitting. We are objective sports reporters. We don 麻豆精品 S檛 have allegiances, we don 麻豆精品 S檛 root for teams, but we are human, and these are college athletes. Nobody wants anything bad to happen to anybody on a football field ever. … And the only thing I could think was, 麻豆精品 S淧lease get up. Please get up and be OK. 麻豆精品 S� And I 麻豆精品 S檓 sure that 麻豆精品 S檚 what everybody around me in that press box was thinking.

Scott Frost: We were on a road trip at my next job and played a game on the road. We had just boarded the plane to fly back home and the UCF game was on. So our entire coaching staff was watching it on the little TVs on the airplane and saw it happen. Made it a tough flight home for all of the coaching staff.

Mary Vander Heiden: My role in our emergency action plan is to focus on the patient. There was a lot of chaos, so I just stayed focused on McKenzie. And then they took him. And that 麻豆精品 S檚 always the hardest part too I think from my standpoint 麻豆精品 S� as the head athletic trainer, I couldn 麻豆精品 S檛 go. Knowing just how bad it was going to be and then still having to stay to take care of the rest of the team and stay focused. I think that 麻豆精品 S檚 a part that people don 麻豆精品 S檛 realize is so hard for athletic trainers.

The one really big benefit of that day was that we were in an NFL stadium. If it would have happened anywhere else, I don 麻豆精品 S檛 know that we have the same result. You have three hours to save a limb once you 麻豆精品 S檝e lost vascular. He was in surgery in less than an hour under the top vascular doctor in the state at Tampa General.

Marc Daniels: He 麻豆精品 S檚 taken off. There 麻豆精品 S檚 the emotion of him being carted off. You don 麻豆精品 S檛 know the severity of it. And you 麻豆精品 S檙e like, 麻豆精品 S淲hat does it do to these guys? 麻豆精品 S�

Darriel Mack comes in. At the time it wasn 麻豆精品 S檛 a big offensive game plan for him, and yet UCF responds. Greg McCrae has an incredible game. UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 defense plays well and they win the game comfortably, 38-10.

Mary Vander Heiden: The next hardest thing was probably postgame, having to tell coach Heupel because I was not updating him throughout the game. Immediate shock, grief came over his face. I said, 麻豆精品 S淚 will tell the team if you want me to, if you don 麻豆精品 S檛 have the words. 麻豆精品 S�

Michael Colubiale: I just remember being in the locker room after the game and tears were flowing. People were circled up praying. 麻豆精品 S� He kind of shaped those past two seasons.聽 For him to not be there after the win or knowing he wasn 麻豆精品 S檛 going to be there was tough.

Mary Vander Heiden: I went back to Orlando on the team bus, and then turned right around in my car. I think I got back to Tampa at like 4 in the morning. I remember that was a rough car ride. I was by myself. Just praying. McKenzie comes from a very faith-based family, and at that point really that was all you could do. He was in the best hands, but it was still not guaranteed. It’s like less than 10% even walk again normally.

There was a lot of anxiety (at first) because he didn 麻豆精品 S檛 have movement in his foot. He had a drop foot, which is very common for that injury. I think that was the most scary (feeling) for McKenzie 麻豆精品 S� not being able to move is just a different level of anxiety. But he had blood flow. Dopplers were really encouraging, strong heart beats. So that was really positive there.

The next best thing we saw was he wiggled his big toe. We were so excited. And I think even then, he was like, 麻豆精品 S淲hat the? It 麻豆精品 S檚 a big toe?! 麻豆精品 S� I 麻豆精品 S檓 like, you don 麻豆精品 S檛 understand what that means. We have a chance.

There 麻豆精品 S檚 not many that are built that could have made it through all the things that he had to do (to take the field again three years later).

Josh Heupel: It was really hard for everybody. Coaches and players. But certainly the players. Just in the entire week to be able to handle the emotion of one of the great players and certainly the leader of the program, the locker room, having a horrific injury. Somebody that was so pivotal in all the success that had transpired as a football program in recent history.

And then you look at a young player (Darriel Mack 麻豆精品 S�20) that has not started a football game that is going to get thrust into a conference championship setting.

Michael Colubiale: We needed to finish off what we started. Our last game playing here officially. Conference championship. The 10hana. There was a lot going on that week. It was unbelievable. Everyone in the stands knew we were playing for McKenzie Milton.

McKenzie Milton: Guys came and actually saw me the night before. Coach allowed them to come out past curfew and see me. Gabe (Davis), Bam (Brandon Moore 麻豆精品 S�20), DJ (Darriel Mack 麻豆精品 S�20) and those guys. They said, 麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S檙e going to handle business. 麻豆精品 S�

My mom was at the game. My dad was with me at the apartment. Obviously I was heavily medicated, but I knew exactly what was going on in the game. It was frustrating because you just want to be there with your guys to encourage them. I couldn 麻豆精品 S檛 play but you just want to be there to support them 麻豆精品 S� like 麻豆精品 S淐 麻豆精品 S檓on guys, we got this. 麻豆精品 S� I was going a little stir crazy in the apartment not being able to be there with them.

At halftime, I was just telling my dad, 麻豆精品 S淭urn this off. I can 麻豆精品 S檛 watch this anymore. 麻豆精品 S� And then obviously halftime goes around and 10 minutes go by and I was like, 麻豆精品 S淎lright, turn it back on. 麻豆精品 S� They came out in the second half lights out. Defense shut them out, Trystan was unstoppable and DJ willed the team to victory and took over.

Marc Daniels: I 麻豆精品 S檝e seen some magical performances over my years of broadcasting games and I can 麻豆精品 S檛 explain how Darriel Mack found a way to that moment in that night to rise above it all and have this unbelievable performance. Made me flash back to think about Daunte Culpepper 麻豆精品 S� this guy that was just physically better than everybody and willed his team.

Hard to imagine that you went from the heartache of watching McKenzie go down and here a week later celebrating another championship knowing he 麻豆精品 S檚 still fighting. What a rollercoaster of emotion but also incredibly proud because of how the community came together and team and students and what it meant.

McKenzie Milton: Those (FaceTime calls postgame) are some of the best memories. I was proud of those guys, the way they fought. That just shows the heart and soul of that team. We always played for each other. I always played for my teammates, the brother to my left and the brother to my right. They always did the same.

Marc Daniels: It was tough to watch it (the win streak) end the way that it did. Because the (Fiesta Bowl) game starts and you get a pick 6 and (LSU quarterback) Joe Burrow may be still the hardest hit he ever took from Joey Connors 麻豆精品 S�17 麻豆精品 S�19MA 麻豆精品 S� and by the way he never lost a college football game after that. But you 麻豆精品 S檙e thinking, 麻豆精品 S淥h yeah, we 麻豆精品 S檒l find a way. 麻豆精品 S� And we didn 麻豆精品 S檛. It ended in a hard-fought game. LSU was a better team that day. And in a way, it was OK.

Michael Colubiale: Looking back now, and seeing how much talent LSU actually had on that field and competing the way we did with DJ who hasn 麻豆精品 S檛 been our quarterback all year, was amazing. That game could have easily been a shutout by LSU. The talent, Joe Burrow, Ja 麻豆精品 S橫arr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Devin White, they go down the next year 麻豆精品 S� it 麻豆精品 S檚 them or the Miami team as the best college football team ever. Just being in an 8-point ball game with them is something to be proud of ourselves.

I remember not wanting to take my pads off. Just reflecting on how special the season and that our run was.

I remember leaving the game and talking to coach O (Ed Orgeron) after the game. He was just saying that we had an amazing team, an amazing run, we were one of the toughest games they had been in all year. Really, some respect from a guy that has been around college football for a while. Obviously, a bummer we lost our last game but a lot to be proud of.

Marc Daniels: You would have liked to see it continue, but I think you look back at the two-year journey of the win streak and UCF had established its brand as that school that was more than just a fluke of 2017. That backed it up in 2018 and there are probably bigger things that lie ahead.

Josh Heupel: One of the things that I learned through my football journey but also as a coach having been through a bunch of seasons is, it 麻豆精品 S檚 not just the end destination that matters. That does matter and everybody is pushing towards that goal, but the journey is the greatest part of it. And just tried to convey (in the post-game locker room) I was so proud of what they had done in the past 12 months with our staff, what they had built.

It 麻豆精品 S檚 a legacy that 麻豆精品 S檚 going to last forever. That 麻豆精品 S檚 why you guys are doing this interview right now. It 麻豆精品 S檚 a really special group of guys that restaked a claim on the future of UCF football.

McKenzie Milton: I think trendsetters, trailblazers, whatever you want to call it, that 麻豆精品 S檚 what we were. That 麻豆精品 S檚 what UCF is going to continue to be.

Andrea Adelson: In my view, those two seasons really set the stage not only for playoff expansion but for UCF to join the Big 12. Without those two seasons, maybe UCF is attractive, but maybe not. I mean you can look down the road on I-4 at another school (South Florida) that 麻豆精品 S檚 in the state of Florida that hasn 麻豆精品 S檛 really had football success and is kind of left out right now of the power conferences and UCF isn 麻豆精品 S檛. And a big reason why is because of the success they 麻豆精品 S檝e had on the football field.

But in my view what they did in 2017 and 2018 麻豆精品 S� they showed and they proved that 麻豆精品 S淲e can play with anybody. 麻豆精品 S� And I also believe that those two seasons allowed Cincinnati to make the playoff. Without UCF leading the way, I don 麻豆精品 S檛 think Cincinnati is ranked as high as they were in the playoff in the season that they made it.

Nicole Auerbach, The Athletic writer: The fact that it was so difficult and it took so many things to align for Cincinnati 麻豆精品 S� after everything that had happened with UCF 麻豆精品 S� to get an invite to the 4-team playoff, I think all of that fed into this whole conversation we 麻豆精品 S檝e had about access. And what it means to start the college football season with a chance to be part of the marquee event, the postseason that everyone wants to be a part of. So, UCF really brought all of that to the forefront.

I think what my mind goes to as someone who covers the College Football Playoff piece and that off-field issue and the expansion issue, was how much they pushed that conversation forward and helped us get to the 12-team College Football Playoff.

Andy Staples, On3 national college football host: (UCF) kind of exposed the system for the closed system it was. And the system is changing now. There 麻豆精品 S檚 at least a small part of that due to what UCF did.

Andrea Adelson: I feel like UCF has done a lot to help change college football, to help change the perception of UCF but also to prove to people, forget about a label. A label doesn 麻豆精品 S檛 matter. What can you do?

I think we learned that anything is possible at UCF. It doesn 麻豆精品 S檛 matter what your conference is, where you 麻豆精品 S檙e recruiting your players from, all that matters is getting your teammates, your coaches, your players, the administration to believe. That 麻豆精品 S檚 why I feel like those two seasons should be held up as these models for inspiration because that was a team that was really easy to root for because they were a team. They were an absolute team.

Shaquem Griffin: That 麻豆精品 S檚 what UCF is all about 麻豆精品 S� believing in yourself, believing in your people, believing in your team, and knowing that the whole nation of UCF loves you, how can you lose? Like, really, how can you lose with that?

Scott Frost: You can use this or not use this. I hope UCF keeps climbing. I think there will be some challenges ahead going into a new league, but if there 麻豆精品 S檚 one university that 麻豆精品 S檚 positioned to overcome those challenges and become a great, elite program, it 麻豆精品 S檚 UCF.