No. 19/20 UCF vs. S.C. State |
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – Back in the Bounce House! The No. 19/20 UCF football team will take the nation’s longest active winning streak into its home opener on Saturday night against South Carolina State. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN3.
Marc Daniels, Gary Parris and Jerry O’Neill will have the call on FM96.9/AM740 The Game and on the iHeart Radio app, starting with the Florida Hospital Tailgate Show at 4 p.m.
Here are five things to know heading into Week 2:
1. LIVING UP TO THE HEUP
The Knights opened the 2018 season in stellar fashion last week with a 56-17 victory at UConn. Quarterback McKenzie Milton was named The American Offensive Player of the Week after matching his career high with five passing touchdowns and throwing for 346 yards behind a 24-for-32 performance. Disregarding the end of halves, the Knights scored a touchdown on eight of their nine drives. UCF also totaled 315 yards on the ground, including a 70-yard touchdown run by backup quarterback Darriel Mack Jr., the second longest scoring run by a quarterback in program history.
2. TAILGATE CONCERT SERIES
Saturday also marks the return of the UCF Tailgate Concert Series presented by Pacifico. Dylan Schneider will take the stage at 4:15 p.m. Since his debut EP in 2016, Schneider continues to impact the country charts with every release that follows. Schneider’s latest EP, Spotlight’s On You hit the No. 1 spot on the iTunes Country Album Charts. Phil Vassar (Sept. 29 | Pitt) and Rodney Atkins (Nov. 1 | Temple) are just a few of the other headliners this season. For more information on the UCF Tailgate Concert Series presented by Pacifico, click here.
3. LOOK WHAT’S NEW
During the offseason, UCF added several enhancements to make the gameday atmosphere at Spectrum Stadium one of the best in the nation. The Bounce House will feature two new premium seating options with the North End Zone Field Cabanas and the Loge Cabanas at the top of the stadium. Keep an eye out for new signage on the press box and the new Shareholder Society recognition. The concession stands also received an upgrade with the return of ice cream, the introduction of iced coffee and invention of The Cryonaut, a combination of orange Fanta and vanilla ice cream. Can’t wait to see everything? Enter through the new express/no-bag lines at Gates 5, 9, 12, 13 and 18.
Here’s an entire list of what’s new at Spectrum Stadium.
4. THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
UCF thrives in home openers at Spectrum Stadium. With an all-time record of 30-9 in the first home game of the season, the Knights defend their home turf. The Black and Gold has given up an average of 17 points per home opener, while the offense scored an average of 31 points. Head coach Josh Heupel will look to become the sixth out of eight head coaches to win the home opener in his first season in charge.
5. A FAMILIAR FOE IN A FAMILIAR SETTING
Saturday will mark the third meeting between UCF and South Carolina State. It will also be the third time that the two programs squared off in the Knights’ home opener. The two previous matchups came in 2008 and 2016, both wins for UCF. In the most recent edition, UCF shutout the Bulldogs 38-0. Shaquem and Shaquill Griffin combined for seven tackles, two pass breakups, one sack, one forced fumble and an interception, as the defense forced three turnovers. Quarterback Justin Holman went 14-for-18 for 193 yards with two touchdowns with another on the ground to lead the offense. McKenzie Milton was on the sidelines, just two games away from taking over the offense and rewriting the history books.
UCFilm Room Preview
Heupel Hits Preview
Monday Presser Preview
PURCHASE 2018 TICKETS
Season tickets are going fast for the highly anticipated 2018 campaign. Fans can purchase theirs today and learn about all of their options by calling (407) 823-1000 or visiting us online at ucfknights.com/fbtix.