UCF KNIGHTS
1986 - Ted Wilson
becomes the first Knight to be dra�ed by the NFL
1979 - Inaugural game vs. St. Leo
1979
• During his inaugural address, UCF President Trevor Colbourn announces that the school will “explore the possibility of developing a football program.” Later, Colbourn and director of athle�cs Jack O’Leary approve a decision to form a football team to begin play in the fall of 1979 as an NCAA Division III program. Former professional football player Don Jonas becomes the school’s first coach on a volunteer basis. On Aug. 28, 148 prospec�ve players par�cipate in the program’s first prac�ce. Less than one month later on Sept. 22, UCF travels to St. Leo for its first game and wins 21-0. Bobby Joe Plain scores the school’s first touchdown on a 13-yard pass recep�on from Mike Cullison in the first quarter. The following week, UCF plays its first home contest at the Tangerine Bowl and posts a 7-6 victory over Fort Benning in front of 14,138 fans.
1981
1985
• UCF begins a local rivalry, mee�ng Bethune-Cookman in the first Mayor’s Trophy game. The Wildcats escape with a 24-20 win. Kicker Sco� Ryerson is a third-team All-America selec�on, while center Dan Burke and linebackers Eddie James and Bill Giovane� earn honorable men�on status. Following the season, head coach Don Jonas resigns to become director of the UCF Gridiron Club.
• Gene McDowell, an assistant at Florida State, is named UCF’s head coach and athle�cs director. UCF wins its first game under McDowell when Ed O’Brien kicks a school-record 55-yard field goal as �me expired to defeat Bethune-Cookman, 39-37. UCF meets its first NCAA Bowl Subdivision opponent, playing at Louisville.
154
Don Jonas
• The team begins the season 4-1. UCF • UCF records its first win against an sets a new a�enNCAA Football Championship Subdivi- dance record when sion opponent, defea�ng Aus�n Peay, 23,760 watch Knights 10-7 on the road. Ted Wilson returns a the kick 100 yards for a touchdown against play Wofford Southeastern Louisiana and finishes for Homecomsecond in the na�on in kick return aver- ing. The contest features age with 30.5 yards per return. Gene McDowell a post-game performance by the Beach Boys. The Knights went 6-5 during the year to post their first win• A�er the squad gets off to a ning campaign since the slow start, head coach Lou Saban inaugural announces his resigna�on. Jerry season Anderson is named interim head in 1979. coach. Following the campaign, Linebackoffensive lineman Dan Burke er Wya� signs a contract with the New Boggan Jersey Generals of the United leads the States Football League. Kicker team with Sco� Ryerson is dra�ed by 143 tackles the Tampa Bay Bandits of the and earns USFL and signs a free-agent Football deal with the Na�onal FootSco� Ry News Allball League’s Atlanta Falcons. erson America First Team honors. Wide receiver Ted Wilson becomes the first UCF player selected in the Na�onal Football League Dra� when the Washington Redskins take him in the 10th round. Tailback Elgin Davis is picked in the 12th round by the New England Patriots.
1983
1980
• A�er the UCF Athle�c Authority votes in January to make the football head coaching job a full-�me posi�on, Don Jonas is selected for the role. The Knights win four games during the campaign and in an 18-14 victory over Emory and Henry, Michael O’Shaughnessy tallies a school-record five sacks. Following the season, cornerback Tim Kiggins earns third-team All-America honors and becomes the first UCF player to sign a professional contract when he joins the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.
1986
Mike Cullison
Michael O’Shaughnessy
1982
• Following Don Jonas’ resigna�on, associate head coach Sam Weir is named the program’s interim head coach. New athle�cs director Bill Peterson announces that UCF will compete as a Division II program during the year. With the move to D-II, the school begins awarding athle�cs scholarships. Following the season, four Knights sign professional contracts: �ght end Mike Cater with the Na�onal Football League’s Denver Broncos and defensive end Ed Gantner, linebacker Bill Giovane� and offensive lineman Mike Sommerfield with the Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League. Following the season, New York Yankees president and former Buffalo Bills head coach Lou Saban is named UCF’s head coach.
1984
Ed O’Brien
FOOTBALL
1987 - Darin Slack named a
1993 - The Knights went 9-3
second-team All-American
1989
1987
• The Knights post a school-record fivegame winning streak during the year, outscoring their opponents, 242-67, during the stretch. UCF finishes the regular season with an 8-3 record, good enough for its first bid to the Division II playoffs. In the first round of the playoffs, the host Knights record a 12-10 win over Indiana University of Pennsylvania. The following week the squad falls to eventual na�onal champion Troy. Wideout Bernard Ford and kicker Ed O’Brien earn AllAmerica First Team honors from several outlets, including the Associated Press. Quarterback Darin Slack and linebacker Mike Coad receive Football News AllAmerica Second Team recogni�on. Ford is tabbed in the third round of the Na�onal Football League Dra� by the Buffalo Bills and defensive back Corris Ervin is taken in the fi�h round by the Denver Broncos. Bernard Ford
1988
• In its final campaign at the Division II level, UCF defeats three Football Championship Subdivision schools. The Knights finish the season strong, winning six of their final seven games to complete the year 7-3.
1990
Shawn Jefferson
• UCF moves to the Football Championship Subdivision ranks and goes 10-4. The Knights become the first school in history to qualify for the FCS playoffs in their first season of eligibility. In the first round of the playoffs, UCF draws previously undefeated Youngstown State on the road. Franco Grilla hits a 34yard field goal as �me expires to give the Knights a 20-17 victory. Host UCF downs William & Mary, 52-38, in the second round of the playoffs to set up a semifinal matchup with eventual na�onal champion Georgia Southern in Statesboro, Ga. Following the year, Gene McDowell is awarded the Eddie Robinson Trophy by The Sports Network as the na�onal coach of the year. Wide receiver Shawn Jefferson is dra�ed in the ninth round by the Na�onal Football League’s Houston Oilers.
• UCF opens the campaign with five-consecu�ve wins and moves to second in the NCAA Division II na�onal rankings. A crowd of 31,789 a�ends UCF’s 26-18 victory over defending na�onal champion Troy at the Citrus Bowl. Defensive lineman Steve Spears and offensive lineman Dave Underwood earn Football Gaze�e All-America honors. Franco Grilla
1995 - Marque�e Smith was dra�ed in the fi�h round by the Carolina Panthers
1991
Daunte Culpepper
• The Knights host their first Football Bowl Subdivision squad, facing East Carolina at the Citrus Bowl. Linebacker Bobby Spitulski is named to Associated Press All-America Third Team and is selected in the third round of the Na�onal Football League Dra� by the Sea�le Seahawks.
1992
• UCF President John C. Hi� announces UCF’s inten�on to move to the Football Bowl Subdivision ranks by 1996. UCF makes history as the first college squad to a play a Russian team on American soil as it defeats the Moscow Bears of the Russian League of American Football, 42-6, on Oct. 3. During the year, Gene McDowell relinquishes his du�es as athle�cs director to concentrate his efforts on coaching the football team.
1993
• UCF wins six of its first seven games, with the only loss coming from Football Bowl Subdivision’s East Carolina. The Knights claim three of their final four games to finish the regular season with a 9-2 mark. The squad earns a berth in the playoffs and faces host Youngstown State in the opening round. Greg Jefferson
1994
• The Knights begin the year as Sports Illustrated’s pick to win the Football Championship Subdivision �tle. Due a rash of injuries on defense, UCF finishes the year 74. Kick returner Todd Cleveland garners The Sports Network All-America Second Team honors. Defensive end Greg Jefferson is picked in the third round of the Na�onal Football League Dra� by the Philadelphia Eagles.
1995
• On June 21, UCF receives official word from the NCAA that its bid for reclassifica�on to the Football Bowl Subdivision has been approved and will take effect Sept. 1, 1996. Against a top-notch schedule, UCF goes 6-5. The Knights open the season with a 40-32 victory over fi�h-ranked Eastern Kentucky. Freshman Daunte Culpepper completes 20 of 25 passes for 254 and three scores and earns na�onal player of the week honors. Tailback Marque�e Smith is named to the Football Gaze�e All-America Second Team and is dra�ed in the fi�h round by the Na�onal Football League’s Carolina Panthers.
1996
• The Knights play their inaugural campaign at the Football Bowl Subdivision level and go 5-6. Behind quarterback Daunte Culpepper, UCF finishes the campaign 16th in the na�on in passing offense. 155
UCF KNIGHTS 2003 - The program moved into the 2000 - UCF defeated Alabama
Wayne Densch Sports Center
on the road
1998 - Daunte Culpepper 1997 - The Knights
guided the Knights to a 9-2 record
nearly defeated Nebraska
1997
1998
• UCF faces a tough schedule that in- • Quarterback Daunte Culpepper earns cludes four squads from the Southpreseason All-America honors from seveastern Conference and naeral outlets, including Sports Illus�onal champion Nebraska. trated and The Spor�ng News. UCF UCF garners na�onal a�enmakes its first na�onal television �on a�er leading Nebraska appearance when ESPN televises by three points at hal�ime its game at Purdue. The before falling by Knights finish the two touchdowns campaign 9-2. Culto the host Cornpepper breaks Steve huskers. A reYoung’s 1983 singlecord crowd of season comple�on 41,827 turns out percentage record for UCF’s home of 71.3 by completopening victory ing 73.6 percent of over Idaho. Quarhis passes. He beterback Daunte comes only the third Culpepper sets player in school his15 school records. tory to pass for more He is a finalist for than 10,000 yards Dwight Collins the Davey O’Brien and rush for more Na�onal Quarterback than 1,000 yards in a Award, a semifinalist for the Football career. Culpepper concludes the year News Offensive Player of the Year with more than 30 school records to his and is named to the American Foot- credit. The signal caller finishes sixth in ball Coaches Associa�on Good Works the ballo�ng for the Heisman Trophy Team. Tailback Dwight Collins, who is and is named na�onal co-player of the deaf, receives Disney’s Wide World year by The Sports Network. Culpepper of Sports Spirit Award for being the becomes UCF’s first Na�onal Football na�on’s most courageous student-ath- League first-round dra� pick as the Minlete. Running backs coach Alan Gooch nesota Vikings select him 11th overall. is named the assistant coach of the Cornerback Paul Miranda is taken in the year by the American Football Coaches fourth round by the Indianapolis Colts. Associa�on for his work with Collins. epper Daunte Culp Following the season, Gene McDowell resigns as head coach and is replaced by long�me offensive coordinator Mike Kruczek.
156
Mike Kruczek
1999
2002
• UCF starts the campaign with • UCF plays its first the toughest September season as a member schedule in the na�on, facing of the Mid-American four bowl winners from the Conference and finprevious year. All four teams ishes second in the enter the games with the east division with Knights ranked in the top a 6-2 league mark. 25. UCF hosts a top-25 Three Knights earn foe for the first �me, playAll-MAC First Team ing No. 22 Purdue in front honors. Wideout Doug of 40,112 fans at the CitGabriel becomes the rus Bowl. Wideout Charles first player from UCF to Asante Samuel Lee is dra�ed in the seventh play in the Senior Bowl. round by the Na�onal FootFour Knights are seball League’s Green Bay Packers. lected in the Na�onal Football League Dra�: cornerback Asante Samuel (New England Patriots, fourth round), Gabriel (Oakland Raiders, fi�h round), offensive • The Knights record one of the biggest lineman Mike Mabry (Bal�more Ravens, victories in school history by defea�ng seventh round) and defensive lineman tradi�onal power Alabama, 40-38, in Elton Pa�erson (Cincinna� Bengals, Tuscaloosa. Javier Beorlegui gives UCF seventh round). Offensive lineman Taythe win with a 37-yard field goal with lor Robertson is tabbed by the Calgary three seconds remaining to spoil the Stampeders with the 13th overall selec�on in the Canadian FootCrimson Tide’s homecoming game. A ball League Dra�. school record 50,220 fans watch the Knights host No. 8 Virginia Tech.
2000
2001
• The biggest news for UCF comes off of the field when the school finally finds a conference home for football. On Nov. 1, UCF signs an agreement to enter the Mid-American Conference for football in 2002. On the field, offensive lineman Steve Edwards and defensive lineman Elton Pa�erson earn Football News All-America honorable men�on honors. Following the year, defensive back Travis Fisher is dra�ed in the second round by the Na�onal Football League’s St. Louis Rams.
Elton Pa�erson
FOOTBALL 2005 - UCF hosted the Conference
2007 - Bright House Networks Stadium opened
USA Championship Game
2007 - Kevin Smith had a
record-se�ng campaign
2003
• UCF’s football program moves into its new home as the state-of-the-art Wayne Densch Sports Center opens just 16 months a�er construc�on began. The school accepts an invita�on into Conference USA for all sports. The Knights will end t h e i r b r i e f fo o t b a l l affilia�on with the MidAmerican Conference following the 2004 campaign. The year serves as the 25th season of UCF football. A�er a 3-7 start, head coach Mike Kruczek is relieved of his du�es and long�me assistant Alan Gooch is promoted to interim head coach for the final two games. Gooch makes his coaching debut when the Knights play Marshall on ESPN2 in Orlando. The contest serves as the first na�onally-televised home game in school history. Following the season, George O’Leary is selected as UCF’s new head coach. Tight end Michael Gaines is taken in the seventh round of the Na�onal Football League Dra� by the Carolina Panthers.
Brandon Marshall
2004
• A�er missing the team’s first game of the season, new head coach George O’Leary makes his UCF debut as the Knights host 10th-ranked West Virginia at the Citrus Bowl. The Knights open the campaign with one of the na�on’s toughest schedules, traveling to face Wisconsin and Penn State and hos�ng West Virginia.
2005
• The Knights win their inaugural Conference USA contest, recording a 23-13 win over visi�ng Marshall. The victory snaps a 17-game losing streak for the Knights. The team goes on to win eight contests, including seven in league play, during the regular season. UCF hosts the inaugural C-USA Championship game, which is played in front of a school-record 51,978 fans at the Citrus Bowl. Despite falling to Tulsa in the �tle game, UCF earns an invita�on to the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, marking the first bowl game in program history. The Knights post one of the top turnarounds in college football history, going 8-5 a�er an 0-11 campaign in 2004. Head coach George O’Leary is named the C-USA Coach of the Year, in addi�on to garnering na�onal coach of the year honors from CBSsports.com and Sportsllustrated.com. Tailback Kevin Smith garners the C-USA Freshman of the Year award. Wideout Brandon Marshall is selected in the fourth round of the Na�onal Football League Dra� by the Denver Broncos. During the year, the UCF Board of Trustees approves a financing plan for an on-campus stadium that will open in 2007.
2006
• Prior to the season, Bright House Networks acquires the naming rights to the new stadium. UCF closes out its long tenure at the Citrus Bowl on Nov. 25, with a 31-22 Conference USA win over UAB. A�er a record-breaking season in which he recorded a school-best 90 recep�ons, wide receiver Mike Walker is selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the Na�onal Football League Dra�. Offensive lineman Cedric Gagne-Marcoux is picked eighth overall by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League Dra�.
Mike Walker
2007
• A�er a season-opening win at NC State, the Knights play on campus for the first �me, hos�ng sixth-ranked Texas in the inaugural game at Bright House Networks Stadium. In front of 45,622 fans, the Longhorns escape with a 35-32 victory. The Knights complete the regular season with six-straight victories, earning the right to host Tulsa in the Conference USA Championship Game. UCF captures the C-USA �tle with a 44-25 victory and earns a spot in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl against Mississippi State. During the campaign, tailback Kevin Smith posts one of the finest seasons in NCAA history. He rushes for 2,567 yards, which ranks second all-�me behind only Barry Sanders. Smith earns C-USA Co-Player of the Year recogni�on and becomes the first player in UCF history to earn consensus All-America honors. Head coach George O’Leary is named the CUSA Coach of the Year and defensive lineman Keith Shologan is named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic AllAmerica First Team. The Detroit Lions take Smith in the third round of the Na�onal Football League Dra�, while offensive lineman Josh Si�on (Green Bay Packers, fourth round) and �ght end Mike Merri� (Kansas City Chiefs, seventh round) are also selected. Shologan is picked by the Saskatchewan Roughriders with the fourth overall selec�on in the Canadian Football League Dra�.
2008
• The Knights post a 4-8 record and 3-5 mark in league play, but see punt and kickoff returner Joe Burne� become a first-team All-America selec�on a�er breaking every major school and C-USA career punt return record. He finishes his career ranked 19th in NCAA history in career punt return yardage and is dra�ed in the fi�h round of the NFL Dra� by the Pi�sburgh Steelers. 157