UCF Knights football#Honored numbers

{{See also|List of UCF Knights football seasons|List of UCF Knights bowl games}}

{{split|section=y|History of UCF Knights football|discuss=Talk:UCF Knights football/Archive 1#WP:TOOBIG / History of UCF Knights football|date=September 2019}}

The UCF football program can be traced back to a speech given by the university's second president, Dr. Trevor Colbourn, in January 1979.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/01/14/trevor-colbourn-man-started-ucf-football/21768747/|title=Trevor Colbourn: the man who started UCF football|publisher=USA Today}} Colbourn believed that a successful athletics program would bring the university greater renown, and tasked Dr. Jack O'Leary with the job of creating a new football program at the school.{{cite web | url=http://ucfknights.com/genrel/061607aad.html | publisher=University of Central Florida Athletics Association | title=The Birth of Saturday Knights Live: Part 1 of 8 – The History of UCF Football | date=June 16, 2007 | access-date=February 4, 2011}} In addition, Colbourn changed the name of the school to the University of Central Florida (prior to this, the college was known as Florida Technological University), to express the university's expanded academic scope.{{cite web|url=http://www.iroffice.ucf.edu/character/current.html |title=Facts About UCF |access-date=February 4, 2011 |publisher=UCF Office of Institutional Research |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415043957/http://www.iroffice.ucf.edu/character/current.html |archive-date=April 15, 2012 }}

Beginning at the Division III level, O'Leary, then the university's athletic director, held a meeting of prospective players, who paid $14 per night to stay in the dorms and brought their own uniforms to the tryouts, in March 1979.{{cite web |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/education/os-trevor-colbourn-ucf-obit-20150113-story.html |title=Trevor Colbourn: Former UCF president dies at 87|first=Gabrielle|last=Russon |work=Orlando Sentinel}} This would be the first football tryouts for prospective players, and would serve as the first that many students would hear about the new athletic program. O'Leary had previously served as an assistant coach at Alabama under Paul "Bear" Bryant.{{cite web|url=http://www.ucfknights.com/sports/2016/6/13/genrel-oleary-drjack00-html.aspx|title=UCFKnights.com – General|website=www.ucfknights.com}} He would spearhead the effort to raise more than $40,000 to start the program, and would complete a deal for the team to play in the Tangerine Bowl. Without a budget to hire a staff, O'Leary reached out to six UCF graduate students as volunteer assistants. From there, O'Leary was able to lure Don Jonas, a former NFL quarterback and Orlando dignitary, to become UCF's first head football coach on a voluntary basis.

One day during a practice, O'Leary pulled the team aside and unveiled the template for uniforms of "The Fighting Knights".{{cite web|url=http://ucfknights.com/news/2007/5/9/Hail_to_the_Fighting_Knights.aspx?path=general|title=Hail to the Fighting Knights|website=UCF Athletics}} He would reveal a template that would follow the team into the 21st century: black jerseys, gold pants and gold helmets. Less than one year after Colbourn had envisioned a football program for the university, UCF played its first game on September 22, 1979, against St. Leo University.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CoY6D7TFK5gC&q=ucf+vs+st.+leo+1979&pg=PA121|title=University of Central Florida|first1=Nathan|last1=Holic|first2=UCF Alumni|last2=Association|date=September 23, 2017|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=9780738567686|via=Google Books}} The Knights would prove victorious with a 21–0 shutout,{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-sptspecgreene14a091407sep14-story.html|title=Greene: O.J., monks paved way to gates|first=Jerry |last=Greene|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=September 14, 2007 }} and less than a week later, the Knights would win their first home game by defeating Ft. Benning, 7–6.{{cite web | url=http://ucfknights.com/genrel/062207aaa.html | publisher=University of Central Florida Athletics Association | title=Finally, Gametime Arrives: Part 2 of 8 – The History of UCF Football | date=June 22, 2007 | access-date=February 4, 2011}} Jonas led the Knights to a 6–2 inaugural season, behind an average attendance of 11,240, including a Division III record crowd of 14,138. Following the season, in March 1980, Jonas was offered the Knights head coaching job as a full-time position.{{cite web|url=http://www.ucfknights.com/sports/2016/6/13/genrel-don-jonas-926154-html.aspx |title=General|website=www.ucfknights.com}} After leading the team to a 4–4–1 and 4–6 record in 1980 and 1981 respectively,{{cite web|title=The History of UCF Football...Finally, It's Game Day! |url=http://ucfknights.com/news/2010/3/1/The_History_of_UCF_Football_Finally_It_s_Game_Day_.aspx |publisher=UCF Knights}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ucfknights.com/news/2010/3/23/The_Birth_of_Saturday_Knights_Live_The_History_of_UCF_Football.aspx?path=football|title=The Birth of Saturday Knights Live...The History of UCF Football |website=UCF Athletics}} Jonas would leave the Knights following the 1981 season. During the 1980 season, the Knights earned the only tie in program history, an 11–all game against Miles,{{cite web|title=UCF Football History|website=UCF Athletics |url=http://www.ucfknights.com/news/2004/11/2/UCF_Football_History.aspx?path=football}} and Tim Kiggins became the first Knight to sign a professional contract. After his departure, Jonas remained involved in the program, including doing radio broadcasts of UCF football games and a radio sports talk show.{{cite web |url=http://www.bbqsuperstars.com/ucf-tailgating/|title=UCF Tailgating - BBQSuperStars.com|publisher=BBQ Superstars}} Jonas led the Knights to a 14–12–1 (.518) record in three seasons.{{cite web |url=https://today.ucf.edu/five-new-members-await-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony/|title=Five New Members Await Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony|website=UCF News – University of Central Florida Articles – Orlando, FL News|date=April 12, 2013}}

Following the departure of Don Jonas, Sammy Weir, who was the head coach at Lake Howell High School, became UCF's new head coach and led the Knights in their move up to Division II in 1982. Another change to the university's athletic programs in 1982 was the departure of O'Leary as athletic director, and the hiring of Bill Peterson, who was the Florida State head coach from 1960 to 1970.{{cite web | url=http://ucfknights.com/genrel/062907aaa.html | publisher=University of Central Florida Athletics Association | title=The Knights Move Up to D-II: Part 3 of 8 – The History of UCF Football | date=June 29, 2007 | access-date=February 4, 2011}} In their first season playing Division II ball, the Knights went 0–10, and Weir decided not to return for the 1983 season.{{cite web|url=http://onlineathens.com/stories/092299/dog_0922990045.shtml|title=UCF took winding road to Division I-A – Online Athens|website=onlineathens.com}} One bright spot of the season was that Mike Carter became the first Knight to sign with an NFL team, the Denver Broncos.

Lou Saban replaced Weir as the Knights head coach in 1983.{{cite web|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2009-04-01/sports/bianchi01_1_lou-saban-george-oleary-ucf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520201346/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2009-04-01/sports/bianchi01_1_lou-saban-george-oleary-ucf|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 20, 2015|title=Gypsy Lou was 25 years ahead of his time at UCF |work=Orlando Sentinel}} Saban had previously coached at Miami, Army, Northwestern, and in the AFL and NFL with the Buffalo Bills and Boston Patriots, to name just a few. In UCF's first Black and Gold Spring game held in 1983, the defense won 14–6. The Knights finished the 1983 season 5–6, including the team's first win over a Division I–AA opponent. Starting the 1984 season filled with optimism, the Knights were shaken by a 1–6 start.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PEdyCQAAQBAJ&q=1984+ucf+football+1-6+start&pg=PA44|title=Denver Broncos 360°|first=Nick|last=Brannen|date=February 25, 2015|publisher=Lulu.com|isbn=9781312946002|via=Google Books}}{{self-published source|date=April 2020}}{{self-published inline|date=February 2020}} Following the disappointing beginning to the season, Saban stepped away from the program, and was replaced on an interim basis by assistant coach Jerry Anderson. Saban had a 6–12 (.333) record during his tenure as the Knights head coach.{{cite web|url=http://www.ucfknights.com/news/2009/3/29/former_ucf_head_football_coach_lou_saban_passes_away.aspx|title=Former UCF Head Football Coach Lou Saban Passes Away|publisher=UCF Knights}} Anderson finished out the year with the team in an interim position, with a 1–3 (.250) record.{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1165994-john-l-smith-the-10-worst-interim-coaches-in-college-football-history|title=John L. Smith and the 10 Worst Interim Coaches in College Football History|first=Amy|last=Daughters|publisher=Bleacher Report}} UCF finished the season with a 2–9 mark. In the course of the three seasons following Jonas' departure, the Knights went through three head coaches, and amassed a 7–25 record.

Reeling after a disappointing string of seasons, there were discussions within the community about the possibility of dismantling the program,{{Cite web | url=http://stars.library.ucf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2323&context=centralfloridafuture | title=Marching Knights gain national respect at FSU | newspaper=Central Florida Future | volume=28 | number=11 | date=1995-09-28 }} and Peterson announced his retirement as the university's athletic director.{{cite press release |url=http://www.ucfknights.com/news/2007/6/29/The_Knights_Move_Up_to_D_II.aspx|title=The Knights Move Up to D-II|publisher=UCF Knights}} In addition, due to financial troubles, the team had to postpone plans to move up to Division I-AA. Without a head coach or athletic director, President Colbourn hired Florida State assistant coach Gene McDowell to fill both positions.{{cite web |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/os-ucf-gene-mcdowell-0919-20150918-story.html|title=UCF football embraces former head coach Gene McDowell|first=Shannon|last=Green|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=September 18, 2015 }} McDowell took the helm in 1985, and hired his eventual successor and former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mike Kruczek as his offensive coordinator. The Knights would finish with a 4–7 mark in McDowell's first year, including a 42–21 loss to UCF's first-ever Division I–A opponent, Louisville. Due to financial hardships, McDowell waived half of his annual salary, and FSU head coach Bobby Bowden donated uniforms and cleats to the program.

McDowell would the lead the Knights to their first winning season since 1979, with a 6–5 record in 1986.{{cite web | url=http://ucfknights.com/genrel/071007aab.html | publisher=University of Central Florida Athletics Association | title=UCF Develops Winning Ways: Part 4 of 8 – The History of UCF Football | date=July 10, 2007 | access-date=February 4, 2011}} Also that year, Ted Wilson became the first UCF player to be selected in the 1987 NFL draft, being picked by the Washington Redskins in the 10th round.{{cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/ex-nfl-player-from-zephyrhills-heading-to-prison-on-gun-drug-charges/2118640/|title=Ex-NFL player from Zephyrhills heading to prison on gun, drug charges|website=Tampa Bay Times}} Following an 8–3 regular season record in 1987,{{cite press release|url=http://ucfknights.com/news/2007/7/10/UCF_Develops_Winning_Ways.aspx?path=general|title=UCF Develops Winning Ways|website=UCF Athletics}} the Knights earned their first trip to the Division II playoffs, where they earned a 1–1 record. After starting the 1988 season with five straight wins, UCF would be ranked No. 2 in Division II. During a game against the defending D-II national champions Troy at the Citrus Bowl, UCF fans were so loud at one point that the Trojans quarterback Bob Godsey couldn't call plays.{{cite web|url=http://www.ucfknights.com/sports/2016/6/13/trads-ucf-trads-10-home-games-html.aspx|title=UCFKnights.com – UCF Knights|website=www.ucfknights.com}} Godsey complained to the referee about the crowd noise, but instead of helping Troy, the referee called a delay of game penalty on the Trojans.{{cite web | url=http://ucfknights.com/trads/ucf-trads-10-home-games.html | publisher=University of Central Florida Athletics Association | title=Ten Memorable Home Football Games | access-date=February 4, 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814104040/http://www.ucfknights.com/trads/ucf-trads-10-home-games.html | archive-date=August 14, 2014 }} The "Noise Penalty" game is legendary at UCF, and the win over Troy thrust the Knights into the position as the No. 1 ranked team in D-II. Between 1986 and 1990 under the leadership of McDowell, the Knights held a 24–6 record at the Citrus Bowl.

During McDowell's tenure, the program moved up to Division I-AA in 1990.{{cite web | url=http://ucfknights.com/genrel/071807aaa.html | publisher=University of Central Florida Athletics Association | title=Division I–AA Football Comes to Orlando: Part 5 of 8 – The History of UCF Football | date=July 18, 2007 | access-date=February 4, 2011}} In their first year in the division, the Knights earned a 10–4 record, a program best, and a trip to the I–AA playoffs.{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-sptspecmilestones14091407sep14-story.html|title=UCF Football milestones|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=September 14, 2007 }} UCF would make it to the semifinals, and became the first school in history to qualify for the I–AA playoffs in its first season of eligibility. The Knights would finish the 1991 and 1992 with winning seasons as well.{{cite web|url=http://www.ucfknights.com/schedule.aspx?path=football&schedule=52|title=UCFKnights.com – Football|website=www.ucfknights.com}}{{cite web|title=UCFKnights.com – Football |url=http://www.ucfknights.com/schedule.aspx?schedule=53|website=www.ucfknights.com}} In 1992, Dr. John Hitt, UCF's fourth president, announced that the program would make the move to Division I-A in 1996,{{cite web |title=A look back at UCF football's move to Division I-A |url=http://www.ucfknights.com/news/2007/7/19/a_look_back_at_ucf_football_s_move_to_division_i_a.aspx |publisher=UCF Knights}} and he hired Steve Sloan as the university's new athletic director. Earning their eighth winning season in 1993, the Knights would again make the playoffs. During the season, the team won their first game over a Division I–A team, a 38–16 victory at Louisiana Tech.{{cite web|url=http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stories/071807aag.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807073523/http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stories/071807aag.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 7, 2017|title=Division I-AA Football Comes to Orlando :: Part 5 of 8: Saturday Knights Live...The History of UCF Football|website=www.cstv.com}} After another impressive season, UCF was selected as the preseason No. 1 to start the 1994 season.{{cite news|last1=Karsnick|first1=Pat|title=Samford takes bite out of Golden Knights|url=http://stars.library.ucf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2258&context=centralfloridafuture|work=Central Florida Future|date=October 11, 1994|pages=15–16}} The 1994 season would prove disappointing however, as the Knights would finish the season ranked No. 20 with a 7–4 record. During the team's final season in Division I-AA, the Knights were reinvigorated by freshman sensation Daunte Culpepper. The quarterback would lead the Knights to a 6–5 record, and their tenth straight winning season in 1995.{{cite web | url=http://ucfknights.com/genrel/072607aaa.html | publisher=University of Central Florida Athletics Association | title=Daunte's World... Orlando's Biggest Attraction: Part 6 of 8 – The History of UCF Football | date=July 26, 2007 | access-date=February 4, 2011}}

On September 1, 1996, UCF officially made its foray into Division I-A.{{cite news|last1=Anderson|first1=Ryan|title=I-A ... IT'S TIME TO PLAY|url=http://stars.library.ucf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2370&context=centralfloridafuture|work=Central Florida Future|date=August 26, 1996|pages=1, 27}} At that time, the Knights became the first football program to play in four different NCAA divisions (III, II, I-AA and I-A). In their first two seasons in Division I-A, the Knights posted identical 5–6 records behind Culpepper. In 1997, assistant coach Alan Gooch was named the national assistant coach of the year, due to his work with deaf running back Dwight Collins. In the wake of a federal fraud scandal revolving around improper cellular phone benefits and use, McDowell resigned as head coach on January 20, 1998.{{cite news| url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E06E1DB1E38F932A15752C0A96E958260 | work=The New York Times | title=Plus: College Football – Central Florida; Coach Quits After Guilty Plea | date=January 21, 1998 | access-date=May 26, 2010}} Over his 13-year tenure at UCF, McDowell earned an 86–61 (.585) record.{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/os-ucf-gene-mcdowell-0919-20150918-story.html|title=UCF football embraces former head coach Gene McDowell|first=Shannon|last=Green|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=September 18, 2015 }}

After the abrupt departure of Gene McDowell, offensive coordinator Mike Kruczek was named UCF's new head coach on an interim basis.{{cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1998/09/11/ucf-coach-mike-kruczek/|date=September 11, 1998|title=Ucf Coach Mike Kruczek|work=Orlando Sentinel|first=Linda|last=Shrieves}} He would receive the position permanently later in 1998. Daunte Culpepper led UCF to its best season ever with a 9–2 record in 1998 (with losses only coming to Purdue{{cite press release|url=http://www.purduesports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111698aaa.html |title=Boilermakers Face Off Against Rival Hoosiers|publisher=Purdue Boilermakers}} and Auburn).{{cite news|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1998-11-08/sports/9811080061_1_knights-attack-auburn-s-defense-golden-knights|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102120826/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1998-11-08/sports/9811080061_1_knights-attack-auburn-s-defense-golden-knights|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 2, 2013|title=Big Time Eludes Ucf On Auburn's Big Play|work=Orlando Sentinel|via=Sun Sentinel|first=Jerry|last=Greene|date=November 8, 1998}} Culpepper finished 6th in the Heisman Trophy voting and set the NCAA record for completion percentage that year (73.4%). Following the season, Culpepper was drafted with the 11th pick in the first round of the 1999 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings, marking the highest ever draft pick of a UCF player.

The Knights proved to be a scary team on the road against heavily favored opponents, with close losses including a 10–6 loss at Auburn in 1998, a 24–23 loss at Georgia in 1999,{{cite web|url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/schedules/1999-georgia-season/|title=1999 Georgia Football Schedule|work=Saturday Down South |date=August 13, 2014}} and a 21–17 loss at Georgia Tech in 2000.{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores100/100246/100246442.htm|title=NCAA Football – Central Florida vs. Georgia Tech|website=usatoday30.usatoday.com}} Kruczek's biggest victory would come in 2000 against Alabama at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, when the Knights won 40–38 on a last-second field goal by Javier Beorlegui.{{cite web|url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores100/100302/100302372.htm|title=NCAA Football – Central Florida vs. Alabama|website=usatoday30.usatoday.com}}{{cite web | url=http://ucfknights.com/genrel/080807aaa.html | publisher=University of Central Florida Athletics Association | title=UCF Football Flashback – Going on Krucz Control: Part 7 of 8 – The History of UCF Football | date=August 8, 2007 | access-date=February 5, 2011}} After finishing 9–2 in 1998,{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/central-florida/1998-schedule.html|title=1998 UCF Knights Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} UCF received a tentative verbal agreement to play in the inaugural Oahu Bowl.{{cite news |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1998/12/02/knights-accept-oahu-bid/|title=Knights Accept Oahu Bid|work=Orlando Sentinel|first=Jerry|last=Greene|date=December 2, 1998}} That arrangement, however, was contingent on UCLA finishing the season undefeated; the Oahu Bowl was otherwise committed to taking a team from the Pac-10.{{cite news |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1998/12/06/the-um-grinch-ruins-the-party-for-the-knights/|title=The UM Grinch Ruins the Party for the Knights|last=Schmitz|first=Brian|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=December 6, 1998}} On the final day of the regular season, Miami upset UCLA, setting off a chain reaction that sent Washington to the Oahu Bowl and left the Knights out in the cold.{{cite web|url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2005-12-23-hawaii-bowl-preview_x.htm|title=USATODAY.com – Central Florida makes bowl debut in Hawaii|website=usatoday30.usatoday.com}}

Kruczek guided the team as a Division I-A independent until 2002.{{cite web|last1=Favat|first1=Brian|title=A Brief History Of UCF Knights Football|url=https://www.bcinterruption.com/2011/6/13/2221255/a-brief-history-of-ucf-knights-football|website=BC Interruption|date=June 13, 2011}} After six difficult years as an independent, UCF played its much-anticipated first season as a football-only member of the Mid-American Conference in 2002. They finished runner-up in the East division with a 6–2 conference record. They finished the season 7–5 overall, completing their 14th winning season in the past 17 years.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/central-florida/2002-schedule.html|title=2002 UCF Knights Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} The excitement, however, would be short-lived. After signing a three-year contract extension at the beginning of the 2003 season,{{cite news|title=Central Florida signs Kruczek to three-year extension|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/mac/2003-04-25-ucf-kruczek_x.htm|work=USA Today|agency=SportsTicker|date=April 23, 2003}} Kruczek was fired following a 3–7 start.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=1658777|title=Central Florida (3–7) fires coach Kruczek|date=November 10, 2003|website=ESPN.com}} Kruczek was replaced on an interim basis by assistant coach and former player Alan Gooch who finished out the dismal 3–9 season{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/central-florida/2003-schedule.html|title=2003 UCF Knights Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} with losses to Mid-American Conference rivals Marshall and Miami (OH). The Marshall game marked UCF's first nationally televised home football game as it was aired on ESPN2.{{cite web|url=http://www.herdzone.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111403aaa.html|title=Football Readies for ESPN2 Meeting with UCF|publisher=Herd Zone}} Kruczek ended his six-year stewardship of UCF with a 36–30 (.545) record.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/mike-kruczek-1.html|title=Mike Kruczek Coaching Record|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}

An increased travel burden, lack of competitiveness, and lack of natural rivals within the midwest-based MAC saw UCF begin to explore the possibility of a different conference affiliation after just a couple years in the conference. Furthermore, the UCF athletic department was interested in an all-sports conference membership rather than a football-only affiliation.{{cite news |date=September 24, 2003|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2003/09/24/ucf-a-hot-property-in-realignment-talk/|first=Alan|last=Schmadtke|title=Ucf A Hot Property In Realignment Talk|work=Orlando Sentinel}} In 2003, UCF was invited as an all-sports member of Conference USA beginning with the 2005 season.{{cite press release |url=http://www.ucfknights.com/news/2005/7/1/UCF_Begins_New_Chapter_in_C_USA.aspx|date=July 1, 2005|publisher=UCF Knights|title=UCF Begins New Chapter in C-USA}}

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File:George O'Leary-1.jpg

Following the disappointing 2003 season, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator and former Georgia Tech head coach George O'Leary was named UCF's head coach in 2004.{{cite web | url=http://ucfknights.com/genrel/081707aaa.html | publisher=University of Central Florida Athletics Association | title=George O'Leary Makes His Mark at UCF: Part 8 of 8 – The History of UCF Football | date=August 17, 2007 | access-date=February 5, 2011}} This was a controversial and bold hire because O'Leary had previously left Georgia Tech after the 2001 season and been named head coach at Notre Dame, but resigned in disgrace five days into his tenure after inconsistencies were found on his resume.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/15/sports/notre-dame-coach-resigns-after-5-days-and-a-few-lies.html|title=Notre Dame Coach Resigns After 5 Days and a Few Lies|first=John W. Fountain With Edward|last=Wong|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 15, 2001}} The difficult coaching transition for 2004, the Knights' final year in the Mid-American Conference, saw the team hit rock bottom, going 0–11.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/central-florida/2004-schedule.html|title=2004 UCF Knights Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}

In 2005, UCF started their first season as a member of Conference USA. Not expected to improve much over 2004, they surprisingly won their first conference game against Marshall, 23–13, ending the school's 17-game losing streak, then the nation's longest such streak.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com.au/college-football/recap?gameId=252672116|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807113642/http://www.espn.com.au/college-football/recap?gameId=252672116|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 7, 2017|title=Marshall vs. UCF – Game Recap – September 24, 2005 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} UCF fans celebrated by storming the field and tearing down the goal posts.{{cite web|last1=Collette|first1=Jason|title=Knights, Herd, Renew Rivalry|url=https://tampabay.sbnation.com/central-florida-knights/2012/1/14/2707184/knights-herd-renew-rivalry|website=SB Nation Tampa Bay|date=January 14, 2012}} Students came back to the campus and celebrated further by jumping into UCF's Reflection Pond (a practice normally reserved for Spirit Splash).{{cite web|url=https://today.ucf.edu/reflecting-pond-qa/|title=Q&A: Another Day in the Life of UCF|website=UCF News – University of Central Florida Articles – Orlando, FL News|date=October 21, 2014}} UCF then went on to win eight out of the remaining nine games on their schedule, finishing 7–1 in C-USA games and 8–5 overall,{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/central-florida/2005-schedule.html|title=2005 UCF Knights Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} winning the East Division and hosting the first ever C-USA Championship game, which they lost, 44–27, to Tulsa.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=253372116|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807112637/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=253372116|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 7, 2017|title=Tulsa vs. UCF – Game Recap – December 3, 2005 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} Shortly thereafter, UCF was invited to play in their first ever bowl game, the Hawaii Bowl, losing to Nevada 49–48 in overtime due to a missed PAT that would have tied the game.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/25/sports/nevada-tops-ucf-after-kick-sails-wide.html|title=Nevada tops UCF after kick sails wide|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 25, 2005}} In 2005 O'Leary was chosen by SportsIllustrated.com for the coach of the year award and received votes for the larger Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award. In May 2006, UCF extended O'Leary's contract for 10 years and increased his pay to $1 million plus incentives per year after he engineered the fourth-best single-season turnaround in college football history.{{cite web|url=http://www.ucfknights.com/news/2006/5/25/UCF_Head_Coach_George_O_Leary_Signs_10_Year_Contract_Extension.aspx|title=UCF Head Coach George O'Leary Signs 10-Year Contract Extension|publisher=UCF Knights}}{{cite web| url=http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=00240041070ca5e3e010b382c8adf007ac7 | work=University of Central Florida | title=UCF Football Coach O'Leary Signs 10-Year Contract Extension | date=May 25, 2006 | access-date=January 1, 2011}}

After an anemic 2006 which saw the Golden Knights go a mere 4–8,{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/central-florida/2006-schedule.html|title=2006 UCF Knights Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} the team rebranded in 2007 in preparation for its move to its new on-campus venue, Bright House Networks Stadium (later known as Spectrum Stadium and now as FBC Mortgage Stadium).{{cite press release|url=http://ucfknights.com/news/2017/4/12/football-spectrum-stadium.aspx|title=Football Facility Now Known as Spectrum Stadium|publisher=UCF Knights}} They dropped the "Golden" from their name, becoming the "UCF Knights".{{cite press release|url=http://ucfknights.com/genrel/050407abn.html |title=UCF Athletics Reveals New Logo and Font |access-date=August 3, 2009 |publisher=University of Central Florida Athletics Association}} Fortunes seemed to have changed as the Knights moved into new facilities. After defeating a BCS AQ conference school for just the second time ever, NC State by a score of 25–23,{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=272440152|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807113451/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=272440152|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 7, 2017|title=UCF vs. NC State – Game Recap – September 1, 2007 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} they inaugurated their new stadium by hosting and losing to national power No. 6 Texas by a score of 35–32.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=272582116|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807114728/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=272582116|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 7, 2017|title=Texas vs. UCF – Game Recap – September 15, 2007 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} The Knights lost to archrival South Florida by a score of 64–12 in Tampa,{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=272860058|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807112718/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=272860058|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 7, 2017|title=UCF vs. South Florida – Game Recap – October 13, 2007 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} but went on to have a 10–4 overall record and won the C-USA East again, hosting the Championship game against Tulsa once more.{{cite web|url=http://conferenceusa.com/sports/2016/7/1/championships-07-m-footbl-championship-html.aspx|title=Conference USA – Championships|website=conferenceusa.com}} UCF defeated Tulsa in a near-reversal of the 2005 Conference USA Championship Game 44–25,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=273352116&redirected=true|title=Tulsa vs. UCF – Game Recap – December 1, 2007 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} thereby gaining UCF's first ever Conference Championship title and a berth in the 2007 Liberty Bowl. Following UCF's victory, the Knights received 35 votes in the AP Poll, but did not reach the top 25, ranking 27th.{{cite web|url=http://today.ucf.edu/football-ucf-climbs-to-no-19-in-ap-poll/|title=Football: UCF Climbs to No. 19 in AP Poll|website=UCF News – University of Central Florida Articles – Orlando, FL News|date=October 27, 2013}} The Knights lost the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee by a score of 10–3 to Mississippi State.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=273630344|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807113608/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=273630344|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 7, 2017|title=UCF vs. Mississippi State – Game Recap – December 29, 2007 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} The Knights went on to finish the year with its first 10 win season in the FBS. In 2007, Kevin Smith set an NCAA record with 450 rushing attempts and rushed for 2,567 yards, placing him 2nd on the NCAA's all-time single season rushing list behind only Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders.{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/os-ucf-football-1016-20151015-story.html|title=Kevin Smith offers insight to UCF's young backs on injury prevention|first=Shannon|last=Green|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=October 16, 2015 }} Despite this, he was not selected even as a finalist for the Doak Walker Award. He also was the only running back in the 2007 season to rush for more than 100 yards against the Texas Longhorns. He was a fan favorite, especially with student section at Bright House Networks Stadium. Smith originally stated that he would return for his senior season at UCF,{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3160016 |title=Smith aiming for Sanders' single-season, Dayne's career rushing records |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN |date=December 18, 2007 |access-date=December 6, 2010}} however, he later changed his mind, announcing on January 6, 2008, that he would declare for the 2008 NFL draft.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=ncf&id=3184329 |title=UCF's Smith turning pro, reversing decision from last month |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN |date=January 6, 2008 |access-date=January 10, 2008}} He was selected with the first pick in the third round by the Detroit Lions.{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/os-ucf-football-kevin-smith-1029-20141108-story.html|title=Former UCF, NFL standout Kevin Smith returns to school eager to start new chapter of life|first=Shannon|last=Owens-Green|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=November 9, 2014 }}

On March 18, 2008, running back Ereck Plancher collapsed shortly after a conditioning drill, and was then transported to a nearby hospital where he died approximately one hour later.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/otl/news/story?id=3672808|title='OTL:' Plancher's death raises tough questions for UCF|date=November 2, 2008|website=ESPN.com}} ESPN's Outside The Lines program on November 2, 2008, interviewed players who were at the training session at which Plancher became ill, and which after he died, and stated that the session was longer and far more rigorous than O'Leary and other UCF Athletics officials have admitted to publicly.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3341341|title=Report: Plancher showed signs of distress at end of workout|publisher=ESPN|date=April 25, 2008|access-date=June 26, 2008}} They also alleged that O'Leary and other coaches had initially warned players off from providing assistance to Plancher when he became visibly distressed.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/college-football/2015/05/28/ucf-knights-florida-supreme-court-football-death-ereck-plancher|title=Florida Supreme Court sides with UCF over 2008 football player death|magazine=Sports Illustrated}} After a 14-day trial in 2011, a jury found the UCF Athletics Association guilty of negligence in the death of Plancher. The jury awarded each of his parents $5 million.{{cite news |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/os-ereck-plancher-trial-0701-20110630,0,4467871.story |title=Ereck Plancher trial: Jury finds UCFAA guilty of negligence in Plancher's death |work=Chicago Tribune |date=June 30, 2011 |access-date=June 30, 2011 |first=Iliana |last=Limón}} Upon appeal, however, the Florida Supreme Court sided with the University of Central Florida, ruling that sickle-cell disease caused the death and the university didn't owe any money to Plancher's family.

After a lackluster 4–8 season in 2008,{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/central-florida/2008.html|title=2008 UCF Knights Stats - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} UCF bounced back with an 8–5 record in 2009,{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/central-florida/2009.html|title=2009 UCF Knights Stats - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} including winning their last six straight C-USA games. Among those wins was their first victory over a nationally ranked team, beating then No. 12 Houston on November 14 by a score of 37–32 at Spectrum Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/ncf/recap/_/id/293182116|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807114712/http://www.espn.com/ncf/recap/_/id/293182116|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 7, 2017|title=Houston vs. UCF – Game Recap – November 14, 2009 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} UCF finished with a 45–24 loss to Rutgers in the St. Petersburg Bowl, their third bowl appearance in five years.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=293530164|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807114724/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=293530164|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 7, 2017|title=UCF vs. Rutgers – Game Recap – December 19, 2009 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} Entering the 2010 season, with the recruitment of Jeffrey Godfrey and return of key seniors, including Bruce Miller, there were high hopes for the Knights.{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2010/08/21/ucf-coach-george-oleary-says-he-wont-name-a-starting-quarterback-until-season-opener-sept-4/|title=UCF coach George O'Leary says he won't name a starting quarterback until season opener Sept. 4|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=August 21, 2010 }} After winning 5 straight games, and posting an 11-game conference winning streak, the Knights were ranked for the first time in school history following their nationally televised 40–33 victory over Houston on the road.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=303090248|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807114726/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=303090248|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 7, 2017|title=UCF vs. Houston – Game Recap – November 5, 2010 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} For the polls released on November 7, 2010, UCF was ranked in all three major college polls.{{cite web|url=http://today.ucf.edu/ucf-football-earns-first-national-ranking/|title=UCF Football Earns First National Ranking|website=UCF News – University of Central Florida Articles – Orlando, FL News|date=November 7, 2010}} The Knights were ranked 25 in the AP Poll, 23 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and 25 in the Harris Poll.{{cite news|url=http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_ucf/2010/11/ucf-ranked-no-23-in-coaches-poll-vaulting-into-top-25-for-first-time-in-school-history.html |title=UCF ranked No. 23 in coaches poll and No. 25 in AP, vaulting into Top 25 for first time in school history |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=November 7, 2010 |access-date=November 7, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101109190154/http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_ucf/2010/11/ucf-ranked-no-23-in-coaches-poll-vaulting-into-top-25-for-first-time-in-school-history.html |archive-date=November 9, 2010 }} In their first game as a nationally ranked squad, the Knights fell 31–21 to Southern Miss in Orlando.{{cite web |url=http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=303172116 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117193757/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=303172116 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 17, 2010 |title=Austin Davis rallies Southern Miss, throwing for 264 yards, 4 TDs |publisher=ESPN |date=November 13, 2010 |access-date=January 1, 2011}} UCF would bounce back and defeat Tulane by a score of 61–14{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=303242655|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807113933/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=303242655|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 7, 2017|title=UCF vs. Tulane – Game Recap – November 20, 2010 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} and Memphis by a score of 37–17.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/ncf/recap/_/id/303310235|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807113453/http://www.espn.com/ncf/recap/_/id/303310235|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 7, 2017|title=UCF vs. Memphis – Game Recap – November 27, 2010 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} With the wins, the Knights secured the C-USA Eastern Division championship and reentered the polls.{{cite web|url=https://today.ucf.edu/5-reasons-to-believe-ucf-will-win-c-usa/|title=5 Reasons to Believe UCF Will Win C-USA|website=UCF News – University of Central Florida Articles – Orlando, FL News|date=July 28, 2010}}

The Knights would go on to win the 2010 Conference USA championship game, defeating SMU 17–7.{{cite news |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=303382116 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207094257/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=303382116 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 7, 2010 |title=UCF defeats SMU for Conference USA 2010 Title |work=ESPN |date=December 4, 2010 |access-date=December 4, 2010}} Following the win, UCF entered the BCS standings for the first time in program history, ranking No. 25.{{cite news |url=http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_ucf/2010/12/ucf-ranked-no-25-in-final-bcs-standings.html |title=UCF ranked No. 25 in final BCS standings |last=Limón |first=Iliana |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=December 6, 2010 |access-date=December 6, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101210070436/http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_ucf/2010/12/ucf-ranked-no-25-in-final-bcs-standings.html |archive-date=December 10, 2010 }} The Knights ended the 2010 season with a 10–6 victory over Georgia in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, marking the team's first-ever bowl victory.{{cite web |url=http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=303652116 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102174756/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=303652116 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 2, 2011 |title=UCF caps best season in school history with bowl win |publisher=ESPN |date=December 31, 2010 |access-date=December 31, 2010}} UCF would end the season ranked 20th in the final coaches poll and 21st in the final AP rankings.{{cite news|url=http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_ucf/2011/01/ucf-football-ranked-in-final-top-25-polls.html |title=UCF football ranked in final Top 25 polls |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=November 11, 2011 |access-date=November 11, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024021741/http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_ucf/2011/01/ucf-football-ranked-in-final-top-25-polls.html |archive-date=October 24, 2012 }}

2011 proved to be a disappointing season as UCF finished with a 5–7 record and were not bowl eligible for the first time since 2008.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/central-florida/2011-schedule.html|title=2011 UCF Knights Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} The season included out-of-conference losses to FIU{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400763593|title=Florida Intl vs. UCF – Game Recap – September 3, 2015 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} and BYU,{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=312660252|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807114657/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=312660252|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 7, 2017|title=UCF vs. BYU – Game Recap – September 23, 2011 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} as well as conference losses to then-winless UAB,{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=312930005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025045708/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=312930005|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 25, 2016|title=UCF vs. UAB – Game Recap – October 20, 2011 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} a 1-point loss to No. 23 Southern Miss{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=313162572|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807112633/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=313162572|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 7, 2017|title=UCF vs. Southern Mississippi – Game Recap – November 12, 2011 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} and the continuation of the Knights woes at quarterback, as Jeff Godfrey and Blake Bortles battled for playing time.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/88837/ucfs-godfrey-happy-to-play-meaningful-role|title=UCF's Godfrey happy to play big role|date=November 21, 2013|publisher=ESPN}} Following the 2011 season, Jeff Godfrey planned on transferring, though he later decided to return to the Knights as a wide receiver.

====Invitation to Big East====

It was announced on December 7, 2011, that UCF would join the Big East Conference, but was rebranded the American Athletic Conference soon thereafter,{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/old-big-east-to-be-renamed-american-athletic-conference/|title=Old Big East to be renamed American Athletic Conference|work=CBS Sports|date=April 3, 2013 }} in all sports beginning in 2013.{{cite web|url=http://today.ucf.edu/its-official-ucf-to-join-big-east-conference/|title=It|website=UCF News – University of Central Florida Articles – Orlando, FL News|date=December 7, 2011}}

Following an investigation into recruiting violations in the men's basketball and football programs in 2011, on July 31, 2012, the NCAA announced sanctions – in addition to penalties UCF had previously self-imposed.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ucf-football-and-basketball-teams-hit-with-one-year-postseason-ban-from-ncaa/|title=UCF football and basketball teams hit with one year postseason ban from NCAA|work=CBS Sports|date=July 31, 2012 }} The NCAA imposed a one-year postseason football ban.{{cite web|url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2012-07-31/ucf-banned-postseason-year|title=UCF banned from postseason for year|date=July 31, 2012|publisher=NCAA}} The penalty was in addition to a $50,000 fine, adding two years to UCF's previously proposed three years' probation, reduction of football scholarships, and tighter limits of football recruiting visiting days.{{cite web|title=NCAA adds 1-year postseason bans to UCF penalties |url=http://www.wesh.com/news/central-florida/NCAA-adds-1-year-postseason-bans-to-UCF-penalties/-/11788162/15866362/-/bb4k86z/-/index.html?treets=orl&t |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121209070205/http://www.wesh.com/news/central-florida/NCAA-adds-1-year-postseason-bans-to-UCF-penalties/-/11788162/15866362/-/bb4k86z/-/index.html?treets=orl&t |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 9, 2012 |publisher=WESH TV Orlando |access-date=July 31, 2012 }}{{cite news |title=NCAA adds 1-year postseason bans to UCF penalties |url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/48428161/ns/sports-college_football/ |publisher=NBC News |access-date=August 2, 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

In 2012, the Knights finished 10–4{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/central-florida/2012-schedule.html|title=2012 UCF Knights Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} and won their fourth C-USA East Division championship, though they would fall 33–27 in overtime to Tulsa in the league title game.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=323360202|title=UCF vs. Tulsa – Game Recap – December 1, 2012 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} UCF would play in the 2012 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl and win 38–17 over Ball State as quarterback Blake Bortles would be named the game's MVP after throwing four touchdown passes.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espn3/event/_/id/688506/ncaa-college-football/ball-state-vs-central-florida-2012-beef-o-brady-bowl|title=Ball State vs. Central Florida: 2012 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl -|website=ESPN.com}}

On April 19, 2013, UCF won its appeal with the NCAA and was eligible for postseason play in 2013.{{cite web|title=UCF wins NCAA appeal, no postseason ban for 2013|url=http://www.cfnews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/sports/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2013/4/19/ucf_football_wins_ap.html|publisher=CFN 13|access-date=April 19, 2013}} The appeal would prove crucial, as in 2013, O'Leary led the Knights to their first twelve-win season (12–1),{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/central-florida/2013-schedule.html|title=2013 UCF Knights Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} first perfect conference record (8–0), first win against a Big Ten opponent (Penn State),{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=332570213|title=UCF vs. Penn State – Game Recap – September 14, 2013 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} first win against a Top–10 team (No. 8 Louisville),{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=332910097|title=UCF vs. Louisville – Game Recap – October 18, 2013 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} third conference title, and the program's first appearance and victory in a BCS bowl game, defeating No. 6 Baylor 52–42 in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=340010239|title=UCF vs. Baylor – Game Recap – January 1, 2014 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} The game was one of the biggest upsets of the BCS era.{{cite news |title=UCF Kicks Down Door, Crashes Final BCS Party|first=Bob|last=Young|url=https://www.azcentral.com/sports/colleges/articles/20140101baylor-kicks-down-door-crashes-final-bcs-party.html|newspaper=The Arizona Republic|location=Phoenix|date=January 2, 2014|access-date=January 2, 2014}}{{cite news |title=UCF Pulls Biggest Upset in BCS with 52–42 Victory Over Baylor|first=Darrell|last=Jackson|url=http://www.glendalestar.com/sports/article_7549eb52-73be-11e3-b5c0-001a4bcf887a.html|newspaper=Glendale Star|date=January 2, 2014|access-date=January 2, 2014}} On January 7, 2014, UCF was ranked No. 10 in the season's final AP Poll, the highest ranking in school history.{{cite web|url=http://today.ucf.edu/football-ucf-10-final-ap-poll/|title=Football: UCF No. 10 in Final AP Poll|website=UCF News – University of Central Florida Articles – Orlando, FL News|date=January 7, 2014}} Blake Bortles would be drafted in the first round at third overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2014 NFL draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2014/story/_/id/10903344/2014-nfl-draft-blake-bortles-drafted-jacksonville-jaguars-no-3-overall-pick|title=Tall order: Jags draft 6–5 QB Bortles at No. 3|date=May 8, 2014|publisher=ESPN}}

The Knights finished 9–4 in 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/central-florida/2014-schedule.html|title=2014 UCF Knights Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} The Knights kicked off the season in Dublin, Ireland against Penn State, losing to the Nittany Lions by a score of 26–24.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400547642|title=Penn State vs. UCF – Game Recap – August 30, 2014 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} O'Leary's squad dropped to 0–2 after losing to No. 20 Missouri by a score of 38–10.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400547660|title=UCF vs. Missouri – Game Recap – September 13, 2014 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} Central Florida then won its next five; defeating FCS foe Bethune–Cookman,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400547667|title=Bethune-Cookman vs. UCF – Game Recap – September 20, 2014 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} Houston,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400547682|title=UCF vs. Houston – Game Recap – October 2, 2014 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} BYU in overtime,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400547686|title=BYU vs. UCF – Game Recap – October 9, 2014 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} Tulane{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400547692|title=Tulane vs. UCF – Game Recap – October 18, 2014 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} and Temple.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400547698|title=Temple vs. UCF – Game Recap – October 25, 2014 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} The Knights' five-game winning streak was snapped with a 37–29 loss to UConn on November 1.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/400547702|title=UCF vs. Connecticut – Game Recap – November 1, 2014 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} UCF won its next four to close the regular season; topping Tulsa,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400547709|title=Tulsa vs. UCF – Game Recap – November 14, 2014 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} SMU,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400547714|title=SMU vs. UCF – Game Recap – November 22, 2014 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} archrival South Florida{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400547719|title=UCF vs. South Florida – Game Recap – November 28, 2014 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} and East Carolina, where a last-second Hail Mary pass earned UCF a shared conference title.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400547724|title=UCF vs. East Carolina – Game Recap – December 4, 2014 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} O'Leary's Knights accepted a bid to the 2014 St. Petersburg Bowl, a game they lost to NC State by a score of 34–27.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400610209|title=NC State vs. UCF – Game Recap – December 26, 2014 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}}

The 2015 season, which began with high hopes, would be a disaster. After dropping their first three, UCF lost to South Carolina by a score of 31–14 on September 26 to fall to 0–4.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400603848|title=UCF vs. South Carolina – Game Recap – September 26, 2015 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} Following UCF's 59–10 loss to Houston on homecoming,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400764895|title=Houston vs. UCF – Game Recap – October 24, 2015 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} dropping the Knights to an 0–8 record to start the 2015 season, O'Leary resigned as head football coach.{{cite news |title=UCF football coach George O'Leary is retiring|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/os-ucf-coach-george-oleary-retires-20151025-story.html|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=October 25, 2015|access-date=October 25, 2015}}{{cite news |title=George O'Leary steps down as UCF Knights head coach|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/13969897/george-oleary-ucf-knights-head-coach|publisher=ESPN|date=October 25, 2015|access-date=October 25, 2015}} Quarterbacks coach Danny Barrett was named interim head coach and led the team for the remaining four games of the season.{{cite news|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/84834821-132.html|title=Interim head coach Danny Barrett talks about responsibility of taking over UCF football|work=Orlando Sentinel}} UCF finished the 2015 season at a winless 0–12, its third such campaign in program history.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/central-florida/2015-schedule.html|title=2015 UCF Knights Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}

{{very long section|date=September 2019}}

File:Scott Frost (37923219195) (cropped).jpg

After an extensive coaching search, Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost was named as UCF's new head coach on December 1, 2015.{{cite web |author1=Alex Brooks |title=UCF Confirms Hiring of Scott Frost as Head Coach; Introductory Press Conference Set For Wednesday|url=http://knightnews.com/2015/12/ucf-confirms-hiring-of-scott-frost-as-head-coach-introductory-press-conference-set-for-wednesday-morning/ |website=knightnews.com |publisher=Knights News |access-date=September 10, 2018 |date=December 1, 2015 |quote=Frost headed up the infamously fast Oregon offense for the last three seasons and was a key cog in developing Heisman winner and current NFL QB Marcus Mariota. The 40-year-old will become the tenth football head coach in school history and upon his introduction will be the tenth-youngest head coach in the NCAA.}}{{cite news|title=UCF set to hire Oregon OC Scott Frost to replace George O'Leary|url=http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/25396299/ucf-set-to-hire-oregon-oc-scott-frost-to-replace-george-oleary|work=CBS Sports|date=December 1, 2015|access-date=December 1, 2015 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151201234725/http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/25396299/ucf-set-to-hire-oregon-oc-scott-frost-to-replace-george-oleary|archive-date=December 1, 2015}} Serving under head coach Mark Helfrich, Frost had overseen one of college football's quickest and most explosive offenses at Oregon, won multiple Pac-12 conference championships, coached quarterback Marcus Mariota into a Heisman Trophy winner in 2014{{cite web|url=http://heisman.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=119|title=Heisman Trophy |website=heisman.com |access-date=September 9, 2018}} and sent many players into the National Football League.{{cite news |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/os-scott-frost-ucf-mike-bianchi-1006-20161005-column.html|title=UCF coach Scott Frost, like Houston's Tom Herman, will soon get a big-time coaching offer|first=Mike|last=Bianchi|work=Orlando Sentinel |date=October 5, 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/os-ucf-scott-frost-parents-1213-20151212-story.html|title=UCF's Scott Frost was born to coach, with parents fueling his journey from Nebraska to Florida|first=Shannon |last=Green|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=December 13, 2015 }} All this after a successful collegiate playing career at quarterback for Stanford and Nebraska in the 1990s and in the National Football League as a safety for five years.{{cite web|url=http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=1060317|title=Scott Frost Bio |publisher=Huskers.com|access-date=September 9, 2018}}

In 2016, Frost and his explosive, up-tempo offense led the Knights to a 6–7 record.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/central-florida/2016-schedule.html|title=2016 UCF Knights Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} UCF began the Frost era with a 38–0 shutout win over FCS opponent South Carolina State.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400869504|title=South Carolina State vs. UCF – Game Recap – September 3, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} After losing its next two to Big Ten opponents No. 5 Michigan in a rout{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400869510|title=UCF vs. Michigan – Game Recap – September 10, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} and Maryland in double overtime,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400869518|title=Maryland vs. UCF – Game Recap – September 17, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} the Knights defeated FIU{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400869364|title=UCF vs. Florida Intl – Game Recap – September 24, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} and East Carolina.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400869528|title=UCF vs. East Carolina – Game Recap – October 1, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} Central Florida then suffered a close 26–25 loss due to a late touchdown pass to Temple on October 15.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400869539|title=Temple vs. UCF – Game Recap – October 15, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} The Knights rebounded the following week to defeat UConn by a score of 24–16.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400869543|title=UCF vs. Connecticut – Game Recap – October 22, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} UCF suffered a defeat on October 29 to Houston,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400869549|title=UCF vs. Houston – Game Recap – October 29, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} then responded with wins over Tulane{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400921256|title=Tulane vs. UCF – Game Recap – November 5, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} and Cincinnati, gaining bowl eligibility.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400869557|title=Cincinnati vs. UCF – Game Recap – November 12, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} Frost's squad concluded the regular season with losses to Tulsa{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400869564|title=Tulsa vs. UCF – Game Recap – November 19, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} and archrival South Florida.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400869569|title=UCF vs. South Florida – Game Recap – November 26, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} The Knights lost to Arkansas State in the 2016 Cure Bowl by a score of 31–13.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400903611|title=Arkansas State vs. UCF – Game Recap – December 17, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} After the 2016 season, Oregon fired Mark Helfrich.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/18168683/mark-helfrich-oregon-ducks-coach|title=Helfrich out as Oregon coach after stunning slide|date=November 30, 2016|publisher=ESPN}} Amidst rumors that he might be interested in the Ducks opening, Frost announced he was not interested in Oregon and that he would return as UCF's head coach in 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/18180682/ucf-head-coach-scott-frost-says-not-candidate-same-position-oregon|title=UCF coach denies he's candidate for Oregon job|date=December 2016|publisher=ESPN}} Ironically, the position eventually went to UCF's rival coach, South Florida head coach Willie Taggart.{{cite web | last=Jennings | first=Chantel | title=Spirited Taggart ready to restore 'Oregon brand' | website=ESPN.com | date=2016-12-08 | url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/18238202/willie-taggart-introduced-head-coach-oregon-ducks | access-date=2024-12-01}}

Surprising even himself, Frost and his team went on to an undefeated regular season in 2017, defeating FIU,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400938591|title=Florida Intl vs. UCF – Game Summary – August 31, 2017 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} Maryland,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400935361|title=UCF vs. Maryland – Game Summary – September 23, 2017 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} Memphis,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400985406|title=Memphis vs. UCF – Game Summary – September 30, 2017 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} Cincinnati,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400941816|title=UCF vs. Cincinnati – Game Summary – October 7, 2017 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} East Carolina,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400941820|title=East Carolina vs. UCF – Game Summary – October 14, 2017 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} Navy,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400941825|title=UCF vs. Navy – Game Summary – October 21, 2017 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} Austin Peay,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400986609|title=Austin Peay vs. UCF – Game Summary – October 28, 2017 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} SMU,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400941836|title=UCF vs. SMU – Game Summary – November 4, 2017 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} UConn,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400941842|title=Connecticut vs. UCF – Game Summary – November 11, 2017 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} Temple,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400941844|title=UCF vs. Temple – Game Summary – November 18, 2017 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} and rival USF in a War on I-4 shootout.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/three-tds-in-53-seconds-ucf-beats-usf-in-college-footballs-game-of-the-year/|title=Three TDs in 53 seconds? UCF beats USF in college football's game of the year|work=CBS Sports|first=Ben|last=Kercheval|date=November 25, 2017}} The Knights were supposed to play Memphis on September 9, but due to Hurricane Irma battering the state of Florida that weekend, the game, which originally had been moved up one day to September 8,{{cite web|url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/college/memphis-tigers/football/2017/09/05/hurricane-irma-could-impact-memphis-vs-ucf-game/633094001/|title=Memphis vs. UCF football game now Friday because of Hurricane Irma|website=The Commercial Appeal}} was rescheduled for September 30.{{cite web|last1=Murschel|first1=Matt|last2=Romero |first2=Iliana Limón |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/knights-notepad/os-sp-hurricane-irma-ucf-schedule-20170914-story.html|title=UCF, Memphis game postponed by Hurricane Irma to be played Sept. 30 |work=Orlando Sentinel}} In order to reschedule the American Athletic Conference game, UCF canceled their scheduled game with Georgia Tech, leaving the team with only 11 regular season games as opposed to the usual 12.{{cite news|url=https://www.si.com/college-football/2017/09/11/ucf-georgia-tech-canceled-hurricane-irma|title=UCF-Georgia Tech and FIU-Indiana canceled over Irma|newspaper=Sports Illustrated}} The breakout season for Frost and his team made him one of the most sought-after coaches on the market, drawing interest from Florida and his alma mater, Nebraska.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=21552206|title=Will Frost coach Nebraska or Florida? – ESPN Video|date=November 25, 2017}} Frost passed on the Florida job but avoided questions about returning to Nebraska.{{cite web|url=https://www.bradenton.com/sports/article213095534.html|title=The Florida Gators offered Scott Frost the head coaching job. Here's why he turned it down|publisher=Bradenton.com}} In the 2017 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game, Frost's team went on to play Memphis for the second time and won the title in a 62–55 double overtime thriller, securing UCF's third conference championship win.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400955151|title=Memphis vs. UCF – Game Summary – December 2, 2017 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}}

Just hours after winning the AAC, sources confirmed that Frost would be taking a seven-year, $35 million deal to become Nebraska's new head coach.{{cite news|last1=Sherman|first1=Mitch|title=Homecoming: Frost leaves UCF for Nebraska|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/21643330/ucf-knights-coach-scott-frost-accept-job-new-coach-nebraska-cornhuskers|work=ESPN.com|date=December 2, 2017}} Frost and his staff returned for one last game in the 2018 Peach Bowl.{{cite web|url=https://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/football/frost-likely-to-coach-ucf-in-peach-bowl-he-has/article_cca222d7-da38-5d69-b29f-4033f7385c63.html|title=Frost likely to coach UCF in Peach Bowl; he has AD's support|first=Clark |last=Grell|date=December 3, 2017 |publisher=Journal Star}} The No. 12 ranked Knights faced No. 7 ranked Auburn, and defeated them 34–27 to close out their undefeated season with a 13–0 record.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400953411|title=UCF vs. Auburn – Game Recap – January 1, 2018 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/central-florida/2017-schedule.html|title=2017 UCF Knights Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} After the win, UCF athletic director Danny White claimed a national championship for the team,{{Cite magazine|last=Gartland|first=Dan|title=UCF AD crowns his team national champs|url=https://www.si.com/college/2018/01/01/ucf-football-undefeated-national-champions-danny-white|access-date=2020-11-21|magazine=Sports Illustrated|language=en-us}} while the Colley Matrix, an NCAA-recognized major selector, also ranked UCF as the number-one team of the season on its final ranking.{{Cite web|last=Simmons|first=Roger|title=National champions: UCF Knights finish season ranked No. 1 in Colley Matrix|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-sp-ucf-national-champions-colley-matrix-0109-story.html|access-date=2020-11-21|website=orlandosentinel.com|date=January 10, 2018 }} The team celebrated with a parade at Walt Disney World.{{cite web|date=January 10, 2018|title=UCF honors 'national championship' with parade at Walt Disney World|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/ucf-honors-national-championship-parade-walt-disney-world/story?id=52268593|website=ABC News}} Additionally, the team's coaches were paid bonuses for their performance, the school hung a national championship banner in Spectrum Stadium{{cite news|date=January 7, 2018|title=Unbeaten UCF celebrates self-proclaimed national title at Disney World|work=Chicago Tribune|agency=Associated Press|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-spt-ucf-celebrates-national-title-disney-20180107-story.html|access-date=January 8, 2018}} and gave out national champion rings.{{cite news|last1=Adelson|first1=Andrea|date=April 21, 2018|title=UCF AD sees promise fulfilled as Knights unveil championship banner|work=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/23279767/ucf-knights-unveil-2017-national-champions-banner-spectrum-stadium|access-date=April 22, 2018}} The claim sparked considerable controversy and debate over whether the College Football Playoff should be expanded.{{cite news|last1=Sparks|first1=Matthew|title=Knights' success should mark new day for CFP|url=http://www.dailyindependent.com/sports/matthew-sparks-knights-success-should-mark-new-day-for-cfp/article_d0348726-f424-11e7-9b48-a35e7d4a8ddd.html|access-date=January 8, 2018|work=The Daily Independent|date=January 7, 2018}}{{cite news|last1=Gleeson|first1=Scott|title=Nick Saban, Kirby Smart both OK with UCF's national title claim|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2018/01/06/nick-saban-kirby-smart-ucfs-title-claim-probably-do-same-thing/1010105001/|access-date=January 8, 2018|work=USA Today|date=January 6, 2018}}{{cite news|last1=Adelson|first1=Andrea|title=UCF honors 'national championship' with parade at Walt Disney World|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/21996408/ucf-honors-national-championship-walt-disney-world-parade|access-date=January 8, 2018|work=ESPN.com|date=January 7, 2018}}

On December 5, 2017, Missouri offensive coordinator Josh Heupel was named UCF's head football coach.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/21677185/ucf-knights-hire-josh-heupel-new-coach-randy-shannon-defensive-coordinator|title=UCF hires Heupel as coach; Shannon to be DC|date=December 5, 2017|publisher=ESPN}} Heupel arrived in Orlando with some impressive credentials, overseeing explosive offenses during his time as offensive coordinator at Missouri and his alma mater Oklahoma.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ucf-brings-in-missouri-offensive-coordinator-josh-heupel-as-new-coach/|title=UCF taps Missouri OC Josh Heupel as new coach, Randy Shannon as DC|work=CBS Sports|date=December 5, 2017 }} UCF signed Heupel to a five-year contract worth a fully guaranteed $1.7 million in annual base salary.{{cite web|url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/central-florida-hires-mizzou-s-josh-heupel-as-head-coach/article_e677893e-3e45-58e7-a3ce-612e74cb3019.html|title=Central Florida hires Mizzou's Josh Heupel as head coach|first=Dave|last=Matter|date=December 5, 2017 |publisher=stltoday.com}}

In Heupel's first season, UCF rode its high-powered offense to start the season 12–0 and extend its winning streak to a school-record 25 games. In their rivalry game at South Florida, star quarterback McKenzie Milton suffered a gruesome knee injury and was taken straight to the hospital, eventually requiring multiple surgeries to save the leg. Milton was out for the season, and never played another down for UCF, transferring to Florida State after the 2020 season and playing his final season of eligibility there in 2021. Back-up quarterback Darriel Mack Jr. took over and guided the Knights to win that game as well as the Conference championship game a week later against Memphis. The undefeated and 8th-ranked Knights were once again not selected for the College Football Playoff. Without Milton, the Knights were beaten by future Heisman winner Joe Burrow and the LSU Tigers in the Fiesta Bowl.

In Heupel's second season, UCF lost a regular season game for the first time since 2016, at Pitt, whose fans promptly rushed the field to celebrate. UCF also fell on the road to Cincinnati, whose fans also promptly rushed the field to celebrate. UCF dropped out of the Top 25 for the first time in two years. UCF finished the season defeating Marshall in the Gasparilla Bowl.

In Heupel's third and final season, UCF started the season ranked, but lost three games in the regular season, including their first home loss since 2016 (snapping a 21-game home winning streak) and their first conference loss to Memphis, ever. They posted a winning record for the fourth straight year, but were blown out by BYU in the Boca Raton Bowl.

On January 27, 2021, Heupel was hired to coach the Tennessee Volunteers by Tennessee's new athletic director, the same Danny White who had hired Heupel at UCF.

On February 15, 2021, new athletic director Terry Mohajir named Gus Malzahn as UCF's new head coach. The two had previously worked together at Arkansas State, and Malzahn made a name for himself with a 68–35 record at Auburn from 2013 to 2020, including three wins over Alabama in the Iron Bowl rivalry, an appearance in the 2014 BCS National Championship Game, and two New Year's Six bowl appearances.{{Cite web |date=February 15, 2021 |title=UCF football names Gus Malzahn as new head coach |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/30905563/ucf-finalizing-deal-gus-malzahn-become-new-head-coach |access-date=February 15, 2021 |website=ESPN}} His Auburn team lost to UCF in one of those New Year's Six appearances, the 2018 Peach Bowl.

In his inaugural season, Malzahn won in his debut with the Knights, defeating Boise State, 36–31. Following several critical injuries, including to starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Malzahn's first season ended with a 9–4 record (3rd in AAC) including a win against Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl.

In his second season—UCF's final year in the American—Malzahn started the season 7-2 with wins over #20 Cincinnati and #17 Tulane, but losses to East Carolina and Navy prevented the Knights from hosting a conference championship game. They clinched a spot in the AAC Championship Game with a 46-39 win over South Florida, falling in a rematch to Tulane 28-45. Following the conference championship, UCF faced Duke in the Military Bowl, losing 13-30 finishing the season 9-5.

In 2023, UCF officially moved into the Big 12 Conference. In doing so, the Knights became the first NCAA football program to play at every sanctioned level: Division III, Division II, Division I-AA, Division I-A (Independent), Group of Five, and Power Five. UCF finished their inaugural Big 12 season with a record of 6-7, becoming the only Big 12 newcomer to be bowl eligible but lost to Georgia Tech in the Gasparilla Bowl. {{cite news|title=Inside UCF's rise from D-III to Big 12 and what's next: 'This could be the premier place'|url=https://theathletic.com/4684007/2023/07/12/ucf-big-12-realignment-school-history/|website=The Atlantic|first1=Chris|last1=Vannini|date=July 12, 2023|accessdate=September 19, 2023}}

In 2024, UCF started the season 3-0 including a 21-point comeback conference win against TCU. However, UCF proceeded to lose 8 of the following 9 games, falling to 4-8 and failing to become bowl-eligible for the first time since 2015. This was also Malzahn's first season failing to make a bowl game as head coach in his career. On November 30th, 2024, following the 14-28 loss to Utah, Malzahn resigned from his job as head coach at UCF to become the offensive coordinator at FSU.{{Cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Matt |last2=Russo |first2=Ralph D. |title=UCF coach Gus Malzahn stepping down to take job as Florida State's offensive coordinator |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5948685/2024/11/30/gus-malzahn-resign-ucf-florida-state/ |access-date=2024-12-04 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

On December 7th, 2024, Frost was rehired at UCF by Athletic Director Terry Mohajir, after fans and boosters rallied behind his return.

• NCAA Division III independent (1979–1981)
• NCAA Division II independent (1982–1989)
• NCAA Division I-AA independent (1990–1995)
• NCAA Division I-A independent (1996–2001)
• Mid-American Conference (2002–2004)
• Conference USA (2005–2012)
• American Athletic Conference (2013–2022)
• Big 12 Conference (2023–present)

In 2017 UCF completed a 13–0 perfect season.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2018/01/01/milton-powers-no-10-ucf-to-34-27-peach-bowl-win-over-auburn/109082620/|title=Central Florida completes perfect season with defeat of Auburn in Peach Bowl|newspaper=USA Today|date=January 10, 2018|access-date=January 23, 2018}}{{cite news |last=Tracy|first=Marc|date=January 3, 2018|title=Central Florida Claims a National Title. Want to Fight About It?|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/03/sports/central-florida-claims-a-national-title-want-to-fight-about-it.html |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription|access-date=July 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104172418/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/03/sports/central-florida-claims-a-national-title-want-to-fight-about-it.html|archive-date=January 4, 2018|url-status=live}} The Knights were not selected for the College Football Playoff, instead completing their season with a New Year's Day win in the Peach Bowl over No. 7 Auburn. Afterwards, UCF athletic director Danny White stated that UCF would claim the 2017 national championship.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/college-football/2018/01/01/ucf-football-undefeated-national-champions-danny-white|title=UCF Athletic Director Proclaims Knights National Champions After Win Over Auburn|magazine=Sports Illustrated|first=Dan|last=Gartland|date=January 1, 2018|access-date=January 23, 2018}}{{cite news|last1=Anderson|first1=Nick|title='We are on the map.' Unbeaten UCF stakes claim to football national championship|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/we-are-on-the-map-unbeaten-ucf-stakes-claim-to-football-national-championship/2018/01/07/6d2629be-f348-11e7-b390-a36dc3fa2842_story.html|access-date=January 8, 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=January 7, 2017|quote=We think teams like ours should have an opportunity to settle it on the field, White said. We are claiming a national championship. We've been very clear about that.}}{{cite news|last1=Adelson|first1=Andrea|title=The national championship celebration before the title game|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/22011039/ucf-knights-celebrate-their-national-championship-well|work=ESPN.com|date=January 9, 2018}} Several other outlets followed suit, including the Orlando Sentinel,{{cite news|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/os-sp-ucf-peach-bowl-mike-bianchi-0102-story.html|title= Commentary: After Peach Bowl win over Auburn, UCF is the real national champion|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|first=Mike|last=Bianchi|date=January 1, 2018|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104001552/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/os-sp-ucf-peach-bowl-mike-bianchi-0102-story.html|archive-date=January 4, 2018}} WYGM,{{cite news|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/open-mike/os-sp-ucf-champions-block-party-mike-bianchi-0109-story.html|title=Commentary: Presenting UCF with national championship trophy is what sports journalism is all about|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|first=Mike|last=Bianchi|date=January 8, 2018|access-date=December 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216025627/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/open-mike/os-sp-ucf-champions-block-party-mike-bianchi-0109-story.html|archive-date= February 16, 2018}} and Prince George Journal.{{cite news|url=http://www.theprincegeorgejournal.com/news/prince-george-journal-names-central-florida-knights-fbs-champs/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106061730/https://www.theprincegeorgejournal.com/news/prince-george-journal-names-central-florida-knights-fbs-champs/ |title=Prince George Journal names Central Florida Knights FBS Champs|publisher=The Prince George Journal|date=January 2, 2018|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=January 6, 2018}} Florida Governor Rick Scott signed a resolution officially recognizing the Knights as national champions on January 8.{{cite press release |last=Scott |first=Rick |date=January 8, 2018 |title=National Champion University of Central Florida Knights |url=https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/UCF-Knights-Proc.pdf |location=Tallahassee, Florida |publisher=Governor of the State of Florida |access-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109063913/https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/UCF-Knights-Proc.pdf |archive-date=January 9, 2018 |url-status=dead |quote=NOW, THEREFORE, I, Rick Scott, Governor of the State of Florida, do hereby proclaim that the UCF Knights are this season's best college football team and will be recognized as the 2017 College Football National Champions in Florida.}} The Knights were honored for their unbeaten season at the 2018 Pro Bowl,{{cite news|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/01/23/nfl-to-recognize-undefeated-ucf-team-at-the-pro-bowl/|title=NFL to recognize undefeated UCF team at the Pro Bowl|publisher=NBC Sports|first=Michael David|last=Smith|date=January 23, 2018|access-date=January 23, 2018}} Walt Disney World, and honored by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/22011039/ucf-knights-celebrate-their-national-championship-well|title=The national championship celebration before the title game|work=ESPN.com|first=Andrea|last=Adelson|date=January 9, 2018|access-date=January 23, 2018}}

On January 9, 2018, the Colley Matrix, an NCAA-recognized Major Selector, and an algorithm used as part of the BCS computer rankings in 2011, ranked UCF No. 1.{{cite news|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/from-the-sports-editor/os-sp-ucf-national-champions-colley-matrix-0109-story.html|title=National champions: UCF Knights finish season ranked No. 1 in Colley Matrix|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|first=Roger|last=Simmons|date=January 9, 2018|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111010007/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/from-the-sports-editor/os-sp-ucf-national-champions-colley-matrix-0109-story.html|archive-date=January 11, 2018}}{{cite press release|last1=Seeley|first1=Andy|title=Knights Ranked No. 1 – UCF|url=http://ucfknights.com/news/2018/1/10/football-rankings-update.aspx?path=football|publisher=UCF Athletics |date=January 10, 2018|access-date=January 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322032117/http://ucfknights.com/news/2018/1/10/football-rankings-update.aspx?path=football|archive-date=March 22, 2018|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last1=Dill |first1=Jason |title=NCAA officially recognizes UCF football's national championship claim |url=https://www.bradenton.com/sports/article217396010.html |website=Bradenton Herald |access-date=30 August 2019}} Alabama won the CFP and eleven of the twelve NCAA-recognized major selectors.{{cite book | url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2018/FBS.pdf|title=2018 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records |publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association|date=August 2018|location=Indianapolis|access-date=August 31, 2018}}{{rp|115}} UCF won one of the twelve NCAA-recognized major selectors. Official NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records list UCF as a "Final National Polls Leader" rather than a "National Champion" for the 2017 season, as it reserves the term "National Champion" (or "Co-National Champion") for teams who finish the season ranked first in one or more of the "consensus polls": AP, Coaches Poll, NFF/FWAA{{Efn|NFF and FWAA conducted separate polls prior to 2014, but are now the same poll. Each poll was considered a consensus poll prior to their merger.}} and, formerly, the UPI.{{cite book|url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2018/FBS.pdf|title=2018 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records|date=July 2017|publisher=The National Collegiate Athletic Association|location=Indianapolis|pages=109, 115|quote="In years where a 'major selector' had a team other than the BCS champion as highest ranked team in its final poll that team is listed below the BCS Champion."|accessdate=July 31, 2017}} UCF is the first school to claim a championship that was not awarded by one of the consensus polls since Ole Miss in 1962.

Under head coach George O'Leary, the Knights won two Conference USA Championships (2007, 2010). Both of these resulted in an berth to play in the Liberty Bowl. At the time, the C-USA champion customarily received a berth to play in the Liberty Bowl against a member of the SEC. O'Leary also led the Knights to the American Athletic Conference championship in their first year in that league (2013), earning the conference's automatic berth to a BCS bowl game. In 2013–2014, The American did not contest a conference championship game, rather the champion was determined as the team(s) with the best intra-conference record. In 2014, the Knights clinched back-to-back titles, finishing in a three-way tie for first place, and were declared conference co-champions.

The American Athletic Conference adopted a conference championship game beginning in 2015, and the Knights made three appearances. The Knights won the conference championship in 2017 under head coach Scott Frost, and again in 2018 under head coach Josh Heupel, for the program's second pair of back-to-back conference titles. As of 2024, UCF has not yet made an appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game. In their brief membership in the MAC, UCF never reached the MAC Championship Game.

† Co–champion

Under head coach George O'Leary, the Knights won four Conference USA East Division crowns (2005, 2007, 2010, 2012), and subsequently made four appearances in the Conference USA Championship Game, more than any other C-USA school, with the last being in 2012. Three of the four appearances were against Tulsa of the West Division. The Knights won two of the four C-USA Championship Games in which they appeared.

After moving to the American Athletic Conference (AAC), UCF won two more division titles. In 2022, after the AAC had eliminated divisions, UCF qualified for a third AAC Championship Game appearance by finishing the regular season as the #2 seed.

† Co–championship

{{further|List of UCF Knights bowl games}}

UCF has played in 15 bowl games and has compiled a 6–9 record in those games.{{cite web |title=UCF Knights Bowls |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/central-florida/bowls.html |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}} Since elevating to Division I FBS, UCF has been bowl-eligible for 19 of 28 seasons,{{Cite web|title=UCF Knights Football Record By Year|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/central-florida/index.html|access-date=2021-03-04|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|language=en}} and received their first bowl invitation in 2005. The Knights nearly earned a bowl berth in 1998, when Daunte Culpepper led the team to a 9–2 record. UCF has been ranked going into their bowl game four times, being ranked No. 24 in 2010 (Liberty), No. 15 in 2013 (Fiesta), No. 10 in 2017 (Peach), and No. 7 in 2018 (Fiesta).{{cite news |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1998/12/05/ucf-root-for-rout-of-miami/ |title=UCF, Root For Rout Of Miami |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |date=December 5, 1998 |access-date=December 19, 2012}}{{cite news |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1998/12/06/silent-knights-miamis-win-is-ucfs-loss/ |title=Silent Knights: Miami's Win Is UCF's Loss |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |date=December 6, 1998 |access-date=December 19, 2012}} In 2019, though they had slipped out of the top 25 prior to the game, the Knights won their bowl game (Gasparilla) and placed No. 24 in the final rankings. In 2020, they were ranked No. 21 in the preseason poll and in week 4 they were ranked the highest at No. 11 but lost to unranked Tulsa and they fell out of the rankings; in week 16 they were unranked but they received votes, but after a loss in their bowl game (Boca Raton), they didn't receive any votes and were unranked in the final rankings.

The Knights appeared in the Division I–AA playoffs twice with a record of 2–2.

The Knights appeared in the Division II playoffs once with a record of 1–1.

UCF has had 12 head coaches since organized football began in 1979.{{cite web |title=2018 Football Media Guide |url=http://image.cdnllnwnl.xosnetwork.com/attachments1/files/34100/638272.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=34100 |website=UCFKnights.com |publisher=UCF Athletics |access-date=August 21, 2018 |pages=106–107 |format=PDF}} Gene McDowell, George O'Leary, Scott Frost, and Josh Heupel have led the Knights to the postseason. O'Leary, Frost, and Heupel have coached the team to an FBS conference championship, and a BCS/NY6 bowl game. Before leading UCF in 1983 and 1984, Lou Saban was a head coach in both the American Football League (AFL) and the NFL.{{cite news|title=Longtime coach Saban dies at age 87 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4025398 |access-date=June 30, 2013 |newspaper=ESPN.com |date=March 29, 2009 |agency=Associated Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320053022/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4025398 |archive-date=March 20, 2014 |url-status=live }} O'Leary also coached in the NFL between 2002 and 2004.

† – denotes interim coach

File:Citrus Bowl aerial view.jpg, the Knights' home field from 1979 to 2006]]

Until 2007, the Knights played their home games at the Citrus Bowl (formerly Orlando Stadium, and now Camping World Stadium) in downtown Orlando. Located about {{convert|15|mi|km|0}} from UCF's main campus, the stadium originally opened in 1936. The stadium's first college football game was played in January 1947 between Catawba and Maryville. UCF played its first football game at the Citrus Bowl in September 1979, a 7–6 victory over Fort Benning. The facility was the home of the Citrus Bowl, and numerous neutral site games.

By 2004, Orlando city officials and UCF's administration expressed dissatisfaction with the state of the aging facility. While UCF was the primary leasing tenant of the Citrus Bowl for 25 years, they received little revenue from football games, and the stadium's capacity (65,000) was considered too large for the Knights. With an average attendance of 20,000–30,000 spectators per game, the stadium was left with a mostly empty appearance. The Knights' record home attendance of 51,987 (set at the 2005 C-USA Championship) was still far short of capacity. The location off campus was considered a significant factor in the inability to sustain a sizeable student section, while the stadium's upper decks were rarely occupied for UCF games.

When the university approached the city about possible renovations and new revenue-sharing measures for the stadium, they were met with resistance. The city generally wanted UCF to stay, but expected them to help pay for the upgrades to the facility.{{cite news|title=Stadium upgrades key to Orlando's BCS bid (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36069579/citrus_bowl/|first=Emily|last=Badger|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|page=D1|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 28, 2004|access-date=September 17, 2019}}{{Open access}}{{cite news|title=Stadium upgrades key to Orlando's BCS bid (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36069642/citrus_bowl/|first=Emily|last=Badger|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|page=D5|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 28, 2004|access-date=September 17, 2019}}{{Open access}} At one point during the negotiations, stadium officials told then UCF Athletic Director Steve Orsini that "the value of UCF's fans was nothing".{{cite news |title=UCF president John Hitt: On-campus stadium a 'godsend' |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2011/01/15/ucf-president-john-hitt-on-campus-stadium-a-godsend/ |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=January 15, 2011 |access-date=December 2, 2012}} Though the city had expressed interest in renovating the Citrus Bowl with or without UCF's support, funding was seriously in doubt. The city was in the planning stages for a new arena, new performing arts center, and "creative village", with stadium renovations seemingly taking less and less priority.{{cite news|title=UCF Stadium could doom Citrus Bowl (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36068759/|first1=Jason|last1=Garcia|first2=Alan|last2=Schmadtke|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|page=A1|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 9, 2005|access-date=September 17, 2019}}{{Open access}}{{cite news|title=UCF Stadium could doom Citrus Bowl (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36068822/|first1=Jason|last1=Garcia|first2=Alan|last2=Schmadtke|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|page=A15|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 9, 2005|access-date=September 17, 2019}}{{Open access}}

The Knights compiled an overall record of 112–60–1 at the Citrus Bowl, which includes Division II playoff games in 1987, a Division I-AA playoff game in 1990, the 2005 C-USA Championship Game and the 2016 Cure Bowl.

File:Bright House exterior on opening day.jpg, the Knights home field since 2007.]]

In early 2005, as a response to the deteriorating condition of the Citrus Bowl, and lack of revenue derived from the games there, UCF formally proposed building an on-campus stadium. Additional motivations included drawing more students to the games, a more intimate setting, and establishing game-day traditions on campus. In December 2005, the UCF Board of Trustees approved the construction of a new on-campus stadium.{{cite web |url=http://www.ucfknights.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121405aaa.html |title=UCF Trustees Approve Financing Plan, Groundbreaking for On-Campus Football Stadium |publisher=University of Central Florida Athletics Association |date=December 14, 2005 |access-date=December 2, 2012}} The new stadium, at the time named Bright House Networks Stadium, was originally planned to open in time for the 2006 football season, but neighborhood opposition delayed the time frame by a year.

Stadium construction began in 2006 and was finished in time for the 2007 season. The first home-game took place on September 15, 2007, as the Knights nearly upset the No. 6-ranked Texas Longhorns. The current seating capacity of the stadium is 44,206,{{cite news|title=Knights Eager to Grow|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel/131037394/|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|first1=Matt|last1=Mueschel|page=C6|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 18, 2016|accessdate=September 1, 2023}}{{Open access}} and plans provide for a future expansion to 65,000 seats. Although the Knights lost their first on-campus home game, they finished the remainder of the stadium's inaugural season undefeated. UCF has hosted the C-USA Championship Game twice, and the AAC Championship Game twice. Following the 2014 season, the stadium underwent an $8 million renovation. The Wayne Densch Center for Student-Athlete Leadership was constructed on the east facade of the stadium, and a party deck known as the "Carl Black and Gold Cabana" was added to the east stands.{{cite news |title=UCF exploring open-air bar in Bright House Networks Stadium |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/blogs/knights-notepad/os-ucf-exploring-openair-bar-in-bright-house-networks-stadium,0,6449143.post |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |date=April 2, 2012 |access-date=November 9, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110202752/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/blogs/knights-notepad/os-ucf-exploring-openair-bar-in-bright-house-networks-stadium,0,6449143.post |archive-date=November 10, 2013 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/knights-notepad/os-ucf-east-side-club-post.html |title=UCF's East Side Club gets a new name, new six-figure title sponsor |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=August 10, 2015 |access-date=August 10, 2015}}{{cite news |title=UCF President John Hitt eager to open Wayne Densch Student Athlete Leadership Center |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/knights-notepad/os-ucf-john-hitt-student-athlete-leadership-center-20141121-post.html |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |date=November 21, 2014 |access-date=December 5, 2014}} By many accounts the stadium was built cheaply and as fast as possible. Due to these factors the stadium tends to bounce up and down giving it the nickname "The Bounce House". The stadium was renamed to Spectrum Stadium in April 2017 following Charter Communications acquisition of Bright House Networks.{{cite web|title=Spectrum Stadium|url=http://ucfknights.com/news/2017/4/12/football-spectrum-stadium.aspx|website=UCF Athletics|language=en|date=April 12, 2017}} After the naming rights deal with Spectrum expired after the 2019 season, the stadium was renamed the Bounce House for the Knights 2020 season.

Just over two weeks before the 2019 season opener, the UCF athletic department announced that the entire season-ticket allotment was sold out for the first time in school history.{{cite news|url=http://ucfknights.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=1115426&SPID=181613&DB_OEM_ID=34100&ATCLID=211808983|title=UCF Sells Out 2019 Season Ticket Allotment|publisher=UCF Athletics|date=August 12, 2019|access-date=August 26, 2019}} In addition, they created a formal waiting list for season tickets, also for the first time. In the press release, then-UCF athletic director Danny White teased a possible expansion of the facility in the future if ticket demand remains high.

Though UCF remains a relatively young program that has shifted conferences several times, it has several long-standing rivalries with schools throughout the duration of Conference USA and The American. The university's biggest rival historically is their instate rival, the University of South Florida Bulls, played from 2005 to 2008, and since 2013.{{cite news |title=USF, UCF Finally Meet|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2005-09-16/sports/0509150938_1_ucf-usf-ucf-and-usf-ucf-alumni-association |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704191817/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2005-09-16/sports/0509150938_1_ucf-usf-ucf-and-usf-ucf-alumni-association |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 4, 2013 |work=Sun-Sentinel |date=September 16, 2005 |access-date=November 30, 2012}} Other minor rivalries include the Florida Gators, Houston Cougars, Marshall Thundering Herd, Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, and Memphis Tigers.{{cite news|title= Top Ten Rivalries in The American |url=https://www.blackandgoldbanneret.com/knight-insight/2020/1/13/21059210/top-ten-rivalries-in-the-american-athletic-conference|work=Black and gold banneret|date=January 13, 2020|access-date=January 4, 2022}}

One other unofficial rivalry, known as the Civil Conflict, exists between UCF and UConn. However, UCF does not acknowledge the rivalry, and has publicly dismissed it.{{cite web|url=http://nesn.com/2015/06/uconn-randomly-creates-rivalry-with-central-florida-dubs-it-civil-conflict|title=UConn Randomly Creates Rivalry With Central Florida, Dubs It 'Civil Conflict' - UConn - NESN.com|work=NESN.com|date=June 8, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2483215-uconn-promotes-rivalry-game-with-ucf-knights-deny-any-involvement|title=UConn Promotes 'Rivalry' Game with UCF, Knights Deny Any Involvement|first1=Thomas|last1=Duffy|work=Bleacher Report}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2015/6/1/8701123/ucf-uconn-rivalry-trophy|title=UConn-UCF's new 'Civil Conflict' rivalry trophy is already the country's worst|first1=Rodger|last1=Sherman|date=June 1, 2015|publisher=Vox Media|work=SBNation.com}}

{{main|South Florida–UCF football rivalry}}

The War on I–4 dates years before the two schools ever played a game against each other. The matchup was the subject of much discussion and fan enthusiasm since the 1990s, though the first game was not played until 2005. The rivalry, often known as the "War on I–4" or "I–4 Corridor Clash",{{cite news |title= Getting Prepared for I-4 Corridor Clash |url= http://www.gousfbulls.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=7700&ATCLID=209324511 |publisher=South Florida Bulls |date= November 2012 |access-date=December 31, 2013}} continued as a four home-and-away series through the 2008 season. The Bulls won each of the four games, which all drew strong crowds, but South Florida declined to continue the series after 2008.{{cite news |title= Schedule news, new commitment ... |first= Greg |last= Auman |url= http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bulls/content/schedule-news-new-commitment |newspaper= Tampa Bay Times |date= August 16, 2006 |access-date= August 12, 2012 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130709203507/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bulls/content/schedule-news-new-commitment |archive-date= July 9, 2013 |df= mdy-all }}{{cite news |title= Should USF play UCF every year? |first= Greg |last= Auman |url= http://www.tampabay.com/sports/college/article798831.ece |newspaper= Tampa Bay Times |date= September 6, 2008 |access-date= August 14, 2012 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130111102118/http://www.tampabay.com/sports/college/article798831.ece |archive-date= January 11, 2013 |df= mdy-all }}{{cite news |title= USF says no contracts proposed for football with UCF |first= Greg |last= Auman |url= http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bulls/content/usf-says-no-contracts-proposed-football-ucf |newspaper= Tampa Bay Times |date= April 29, 2011 |access-date= August 14, 2012 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121015073431/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bulls/content/usf-says-no-contracts-proposed-football-ucf |archive-date= October 15, 2012 |df= mdy-all }} The UCF–South Florida game resumed as a regular conference game beginning with the 2013 season, as UCF joined the American Athletic Conference.{{cite news |title= Finally, Big East gives UCF some much-needed good news |first= Mike |last=Bianchi |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2011/12/07/finally-big-east-gives-ucf-some-much-needed-good-news/ |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |date=December 7, 2011|access-date=August 13, 2012}} The Knights won the first game as conference members 23–20 before 45,952 in Orlando.{{cite news |title= No. 17 UCF survives scare from rival USF, 23–20 |first= Kyle |last=Hightower |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/no-17-ucf-survives-scare-044546285--ncaaf.html|publisher=Yahoo! |date=November 30, 2013|access-date=December 31, 2013}} In 2014, the Knights won for the first time at Raymond James Stadium, and delivered the first home shut-out in South Florida history, 16–0. In 2015, South Florida defeated the UCF Knights 44–3 to finish a winless 0-12 season for the second time in UCF history. In 2016, the War On I-4 trophy was introduced for the first time. USF took home the trophy by defeating UCF 48–31 and clinching their first 10-win season in school history, only for UCF to take the trophy back from them the following year.

UCF leads South Florida 8–6 in the football series through the 2022 season.{{cite web |title=Winsipedia – UCF Knights vs. South Florida Bulls football series history |url=http://www.winsipedia.com/ucf/vs/south-florida|website=Winsipedia}}

{{main|UCF-Cincinnati football rivalry#Football}}

UCF leads Cincinnati in the series 5-4 since 2023, though a rivalry has not been confirmed by the University of Cincinnati. Both teams have competed against one another in the Big 12 Conference since 2023.{{Cite web|title=Winsipedia – UCF Knights vs. Cincinnati Bearcats football series history |url= http://www.winsipedia.com/ucf/vs/cincinnati|website=Winsipedia}}

{{main|East Carolina Pirates}}

ECU has been considered one of UCF's main rival's due to the number of meetings and the comparable size of the programs. ECU joined Division I-A (FBS) in 1978, while UCF did so in 1996. Since 1991, ECU has held the advantage in the overall win-loss record in the rivalry series, 11–10, while UCF has had the longest winning streak of 6 in the rivalry.

Every year, several publications release lists of their ideal "team". The athletes on these lists are referred to as All-Americans. The NCAA recognizes five All-American lists. They are the Associated Press (AP), American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Sporting News (TSN), and the Walter Camp Football Foundation (WCFF). UCF has had numerous players honored as first team All-Americans. To date, Kevin Smith is the only Consensus All-American.{{cite web|url=http://www.docstoc.com/docs/4844195/Awards-compiled-NCAA-2008-Record-Book-Division-1-Football |title=Awards compiled NCAA 2008 Record Book Division 1 Football |publisher=DocStoc |work=NCAA |access-date=December 17, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090714223946/http://www.docstoc.com/docs/4844195/Awards-compiled-NCAA-2008-Record-Book-Division-1-Football |archive-date=July 14, 2009 }}

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Quarterbacks Daunte Culpepper and McKenzie Milton, and running back Kevin Smith are the only Knights to finish in the Top–10 of voting for the Heisman Trophy.{{cite web |url=http://www.heisman.com/winners/r-williams98.php |title=1998 Heisman Trophy – 64th Award |work=Heisman Trust |year=2007 |access-date=November 12, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108155906/http://www.heisman.com/winners/r-williams98.php |archive-date=November 8, 2011 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.heisman.com/winners/t-tebow07.php |title=2007 Heisman Trophy – 73rd Award |work=Heisman Trust |year=2007 |access-date=November 12, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108162117/http://www.heisman.com/winners/t-tebow07.php |archive-date=November 8, 2011 }}{{cite news|last1=Romero|first1=Iliana Limón|title=UCF QB McKenzie Milton finishes eighth in Heisman Trophy voting|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/os-sp-ucf-mckenzie-milton-heisman-20171209-story.html|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=December 9, 2017}}

UCF retires a student-athlete's jersey but does not retire the respective jersey numbers. The Knights coaching staff can choose to reissue a given number, as the retirement of the jersey does not require that the number not be worn again.{{cite web |url=http://ucfknights.com/ot/retired-jersey.html |title=Policy Governing the Commemoration of Athletic Jerseys |publisher=University of Central Florida Athletics Association |date=October 23, 2010 |access-date=June 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820031543/http://www.ucfknights.com/ot/retired-jersey.html |archive-date=August 20, 2013 }}

Football members of the UCF Athletics Hall of Fame are as follows:{{cite news|url=https://ucfknights.com/ucf-athletics-hall-of-fame-1|title=UCF Athletics Hall of Fame Class of '24|publisher=UCFKnights.com|access-date=December 2, 2024}}

{{see also|List of UCF Knights in the NFL draft|Category:UCF Knights football players}}

File:Brandonmarshall.JPG

As of July 2024, 24 former UCF players are on an NFL roster.

• Jordan Akins – TE, Cleveland Browns
• Gabe Davis – WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
• Richie Grant – S, San Francisco 49ers
• Shaquill Griffin – CB, Minnesota Vikings
• Mike Hughes – CB, Atlanta Falcons
• Charley Hughlett – LS, Philadelphia Eagles
• Brandon Johnson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
• Matt Prater – K, Arizona Cardinals
• Kalia Davis –DT, San Francisco 49ers
• Alex Ward – LS, Los Angeles Rams
• Mathew Wright – K, Carolina Panthers
• Divaad Wilson – DB, New York Giants
• Javon Baker - WR, New England Patriots
• Tylan Grable - OT, Buffalo Bills
• John Rhys Plumlee - QB/ WR/ KR, Seattle Seahawks
• Tre'Mon Morris-Brash - LB, Los Angeles Chargers
• Matt Lee - C, Cincinnati Bengals
• Tatum Bethune - LB, San Francisco 49ers
• RJ Harvey - RB, Denver Broncos
• Mac McWilliams - CB, Philadelphia Eagles
• Kobe Hudson - WR, Carolina Panthers

{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/ |title=College Football Encyclopedias and NFL Records |access-date=December 21, 2021 |date= December 20, 2021 |publisher=Pro Football Reference}}

• Nevelle Clarke, DB, Birmingham Stallions
• Rannell Hall - WR and CB (Free Agent)
• Adrian Killins - RB (Free Agent)
• Jordan McCray, C, Memphis Showboats
• Terrance Plummer - LB (Free Agent)
• Marlon Williams, WR, Birmingham Stallions
• Cole Schneider, OG, Birmingham Stallions
• Donald De La Haye, K, San Antonio Brahmas
• Jacob Harris, WR, San Antonio Brahmas

• Brandon Alexander – DB, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
• D.J. Killings – DB, Calgary Stampeders
• Greg McCrae – SB, (Free Agent)
• William Stanback - RB, BC Lions
• Isaiah Bowser - RB, Toronto Argonauts

UCF joined the Big 12 Conference in 2023 after ten seasons in the American Athletic Conference.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/34069597/cincinnati-houston-ucf-reach-exit-deal-american-join-big-12-2023|title=Cincinnati, Houston, UCF reach exit deal with American, to join Big 12 in 2023|work=ESPN.com|first=Andrea|last=Adelson|date=June 10, 2022|accessdate=June 10, 2022}} Beginning in 2024, UCF will be one of 16 full members for football, and the Big 12 will maintain a nine-game regular season intra-conference schedule. The conference announced a four-year scheduling matrix on November 1, 2023. Each team will play each other team in the conference at least once both home and away over the four-year period.{{cite web|last=Jeyarajah|first=Shehan|title=Big 12 football schedule: Conference releases opponent list for all 16 teams through 2027 season|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/big-12-football-schedule-conference-releases-opponent-list-for-all-16-teams-through-2027-season/|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=November 2023 |access-date=November 1, 2023}} Geography will be prioritized in order to minimize travel disruption. UCF will have five intra-conference home games in 2024 and 2026, and four in 2025 and 2027. UCF's budding rivalry with Cincinnati was not officially protected, but the two teams will play three out of the four seasons. They will also play Baylor, BYU, Colorado, Iowa State, and West Virginia three times.

UCF's intra-conference opponents for 2024–2027 will be as follows:

Officially announced out-of-conference schedules as of September 2024 are as follows.{{cite web |url=https://fbschedules.com/ncaa/ucf/ |title=UCF Knights Future Football Schedules |website=FBSchedules.com |access-date=July 14, 2022}} Since the Big 12 maintains a nine-game intra-conference schedule, the Knights will play three out-of-conference games annually.{{cite news|first=Jason|last=Beede |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/os-sp-ucf-football-kent-state-schedule-game-20220124-qnp3lw3fyjfwvnqzn2gzh3tbu4-story.html|title=UCF adds old conference foe, Kent State, to 2023 schedule|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=January 24, 2022|accessdate=January 25, 2022}} Furthermore, the conference requires at least one of the three out-of-conference games to be against a Power Four opponent.{{cite news|first=Jason|last=Beede |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/os-sp-ucf-football-kent-state-schedule-game-20220124-qnp3lw3fyjfwvnqzn2gzh3tbu4-story.html|title=Marc Daniels: It's More Than A Schedule For UCF|work=WYGM 96.9 The Game|date=February 1, 2023|accessdate=March 27, 2023}}

In July 2021, UCF and the Florida Gators jointly announced a three-game series. The first game was played at Gainesville in 2024. The teams will play at Orlando in 2030, and at Gainsesville again in 2033.{{cite news|url=https://ucfknights.com/news/2021/7/27/ucf-uf-agree-to-three-game-football-series|title=UCF, UF Agree to Three-Game Football Series|work=UCFKnights.com|date=July 27, 2021|access-date=September 17, 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://floridagators.com/news/2021/7/27/football-florida-ucf-announce-three-game-series.aspx|title=Florida, UCF Announce Three-Game Series|work=UCFKnights.com|date=July 27, 2021|access-date=September 17, 2024}} In August 2022, UCF announced they would host James Madison in 2029.{{cite web|url=https://fbschedules.com/ucf-adds-james-madison-to-2029-football-schedule/|first=Kevin|last=Kelley|title=UCF adds James Madison to 2029 football schedule|website=FBSchedules.com|date=June 29, 2023|accessdate=July 23, 2023}} In February 2023, FAU and UCF agreed to reschedule a planned 2025 meeting until 2028, opening up a date for UCF.{{cite web|url=https://fbschedules.com/florida-atlantic-ucf-reschedule-future-football-game/|first=Kevin|last=Kelley|title=Florida Atlantic, UCF reschedule future football game|website=FBSchedules.com|date=February 27, 2023|accessdate=July 23, 2023}}

On May 2, 2024, UCF announced the scheduling of home-and-home series with Northwestern (Big Ten) and Pitt (ACC).{{cite web|url=https://ucfknights.com/news/2024/5/2/ucf-announces-future-football-games-including-series-with-pitt-and-northwestern|title=UCF Announces Future Football Games, Including Series with Pitt and Northwestern|first=Justin|last=Wilson|website=UCFKnights.com|date=May 2, 2024}}

• UCF Knights football statistical leaders
• UCF Knights
• American football in the United States

{{Notelist}}

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General:

• Holic, Nathan, and the UCF Alumni Association. University of Central Florida: The Campus History Series (2009), {{ISBN|978-0-7385-6768-6}}
• MacCambridge, Michael. ESPN College Football Encyclopedia: The Complete history of the Game (2005), {{ISBN|1-4013-3703-1}}

In-text:

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website}}

{{UCF Knights football navbox}}

{{University of Central Florida}}

{{Big 12 Conference football navbox}}

Category:American football teams established in 1979

Category:1979 establishments in Florida