Ucf Football

UCF Football: A History of Success

The Early Years

The University of Central Florida (UCF) football program began in 1979 as a member of the Division II Sunshine State Conference (SSC). The team quickly found success, winning the SSC championship in 1980 and 1981.

In 1983, UCF moved up to Division I-AA (now FCS) and joined the Southern Conference. The Knights continued to be a powerhouse, winning the SoCon championship in 1985 and 1987.

The Move to Division I-A

In 1990, UCF made the jump to Division I-A (now FBS) and joined the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The Knights struggled in their first few years in the MAC, but they eventually found their footing and won the MAC championship in 2001.

UCF continued to be a MAC contender in the early 2000s, winning the championship again in 2004 and 2007. In 2010, the Knights joined the American Athletic Conference (AAC) and won the conference championship in their first year.

Recent Success

UCF has been one of the most successful Group of Five teams in recent years. The Knights have won the AAC championship three times (2013, 2017, and 2018) and have played in two New Year's Six bowls.

In 2017, UCF finished the regular season with a perfect 13-0 record and claimed the national championship after defeating Auburn in the Peach Bowl.

Key Players

UCF has had a number of key players who have helped the team achieve success. Some of the most notable players include:

• Daunte Culpepper (quarterback)
• Blake Bortles (quarterback)
• Shaquem Griffin (defensive end)
• McKenzie Milton (quarterback)
• Gabriel Davis (wide receiver)

Conclusion

UCF has become one of the most successful football programs in the country in recent years. The Knights have won multiple conference championships and have played in two New Year's Six bowls.

UCF is expected to continue to be a contender in the AAC and the Group of Five in the years to come.