It’s July, which means that there will be college football games played next month. As the Knights continue to prepare for the upcoming 2019 campaign, which kicks off Thursday, Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. from inside Spectrum Stadium, we will take a look at what UCF brings back and what fans of the Black and Gold have to look forward to this fall.
Record Setting Rushing
The UCF offensive line was one of the best in the nation a season ago, and the Knights return three all-conference starters from that group in 2019. Led by all-conference honorees center Jordan Johnson, tackle Jake Brown and guard Cole Schneider, the offensive line helped lead UCF to new program records in rushing yardage, rushing yards per game, rushing touchdowns and rushing yards per carry.
• Total rushing offense of 3,448 yards broke the record of 3,287 yards set in 2007
• Average rushing yards per game of 265.2 took down the UCF record of 234.8, also from 2007
• The Knights totaled 43 rushing touchdowns in 2018, topping the previous school best of 41, another 2007 record
• UCF impressively rushed for 5.8 yards per carry as a team, breaking the record of 5.2, accomplished in both 1992 and 2017
All-Conference Returnees
Jordan Johnson, Senior | 6-2, 320
• First Team All-Conference Center
• Became vegan last season
Jake Brown, r-Senior | 6-3, 305
• First Team All-Conference Tackle
Cole Schneider, r-Sophomore | 6-4, 312
• First Team All-Conference Guard
• USA Today Freshman All-American
Plenty of Returning Depth
The Knights have no shortage of depth of offensive linemen with experience in 2019. Samuel Jackson, who missed most of last season due to injury, played in every game as a true freshman in 2017. Trevor Elbert, Josh McMullen and Parker Boudreaux all saw action in their first season on the field for the Knights in 2018, with Elbert and McMullen playing in every game. UCF also has five redshirt freshmen who gained valuable practice experience a year ago and look to make the next step in 2019.
Watch the Highlights
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Breakdown of JJ facial expressions during the shoot:
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) June 5, 2019
2% 😤
98% 😁 pic.twitter.com/ysjW94Sj2E
O-Line Pics
The 2019 season gets started Aug. 29 when the Knights host Florida A&M at Spectrum Stadium. UCF will also play host to Stanford, UConn, ECU, Houston and South Florida as the Knights aim to win a third straight American Athletic Conference Championship and return to a New Year’s Six bowl for the third consecutive season.