ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) – Here we are again. The UCF football team is back in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game, again in Spectrum Stadium, and again against the Memphis Tigers. The East Division Champion Knights host the West Division Champion Tigers Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.
GAME INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, Dec. 1
Time: 3:30 p.m.
TV: ABC
Radio: FM 96.9/AM 740 The Game
Live Stats: http://statb.us/b/241423
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - NOTES TO KNOW
- After starting 2018 with 11 straight wins, the Knights enter their 12th game of the season still holding the nation’s longest winning streak at 24 games, which is a UCF and American Athletic Conference record. A 25th straight victory would mark the fourth longest win streak in this millennium (Miami, 34 - 2000-03; Florida State, 29 - 2012-14; Alabama, 26 - 2015-16).
- The Knights have started 11-0 under Heupel following a 38-10 win at South Florida. After leading the nation in scoring last season (48.2ppg), UCF is currently eighth in the nation in scoring offense (43.1ppg) and fifth in the nation in total offense (531.5ypg).
- The UCF defense has gotten it done with turnovers again in 2018. Last season, the Knights finished second in the nation with a +1.31 turnover margin and with 25 turnovers gained through 11 games this season, UCF currently ranks second in all of FBS with a margin of +1.45.
- In fact, the UCF defense has forced at least one turnover in all 11 games of the 2018 season and in each of the last 30 games, dating back to the 2016 campaign. That streak leads the nation.
- The Knights have scored 30 or more points in 24 consecutive games, which is tied for the longest streak in the AP Poll Era (since 1936), matching South Florida’s streak from 2015-17.
- UCF moved up two spots in the Amway Coaches Poll and one spot in the AP Top 25 Poll this week. The Knights are now seventh in both polls, the highest the program has ever been ranked aside from last season’s final ranking of sixth. UCF is the highest ranked team out of the state of Florida and the top team in The American.
- Last season, UCF defeated Memphis in The American Championship, winning 62-55 in overtime. The Knights are 3-2 all-time in FBS conference championship games, having lost to Tulsa in 2012, defeating SMU in 2010, winning against Tulsa in 2007, and falling to Tulsa in 2005 while in C-USA.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL GAME NOTES – UCF VS MEMPHIS
FROM THE PRESSER
Coach Heupel began is weekly press conference addressing Saturday’s contest and what it means for the Knights to be back in position to win a conference championship.
“You put a lot of work into building your season to the point that we’re at,” he said. “Preparation is everything. We don’t have to do anything out of the ordinary. Prepare in a great way. That will lead us to kickoff. We’re expecting an absolutely fantastic atmosphere when we walk out of the tunnel, and I think our kids will be ready to play.”
The conversation quickly turned to McKenzie Milton and just how much of an impact he has had on the entire UCF football program. Heupel spoke on how much his teammates are ready to play for him on Saturday.
“Everyone in our program has great love and respect for McKenzie,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers are constantly with him. At the same time, we’re going to go out an play our hearts out. He’ll be a party of what we’re doing on the field. There’s no doubt about that. Don’t need to speak to it all the time inside of our program. Our kids know what they’re doing, what they’re playing for.”
2019 TICKETS
Fans can make deposits for 2019 season tickets today! For more information call (407) 823-1000 or visit UCFKnights.com.