New UCF football coach Gus Malzahn and his Knight football team began 2021 spring football drills this week—and will conclude with an April 10 spring football game presented by KnightPass at the Bounce House.
The spring game will kick off at noon EDT. Similar to 2020 UCF home football games, there will be 25% capacity permitted at the Bounce House. No tailgating will be allowed on campus. Social distancing and masks will be required within the confines of the Bounce House, except when fans are eating and drinking. Tickets for that event will go on sale soon.
"Due to COVID, they initially had not planned for a 2021 spring football game," says UCF vice president and athletics director Terry Mohajir. "However, the overwhelming enthusiasm created by the hire of Gus Malzahn as our new head coach has made it clear our fans very much want to get a look at our team this spring.
"We are not yet in a position where tailgating will be permitted, and it is most beneficial for our student-athletes that we hold the game early in the day. I'm very aware of Knight Nation's passion for night games to maximize the tailgating experience and look forward to experiencing that in full force in the fall."
The spring game will be the first public look at Malzahn's initial UCF squad that will open its 2021 season at the Bounce House on Labor Day weekend (Thursday, Friday or Saturday) against Boise State.
The Knights are slated to practice on a Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Saturday sequence for four weeks. NCAA rules permit 15 spring practice sessions (no practice slated for April 9).
Meanwhile, ticket sales for the 2021 UCF season continue—with approximately 86% of available season tickets already sold. The Knights are hopeful the Bounce House can be filled to capacity by fall—with that to be confirmed this summer based on COVID details.
"We are moving forward with plans to sell out the Bounce House this fall. We will certainly abide by all medical guidelines, but we're planning on 100% capacity," adds Mohajir.
The 2021 UCF home schedule features seven home games at the Bounce House: Labor Day weekend vs. Boise State, Sep.11 vs. Bethune-Cookman, Oct. 9 vs. East Carolina, Oct. 22 (Friday) vs. Memphis, Nov. 6 vs. Tulane, Nov. 20 vs. Connecticut and Nov. 26 (Friday) vs. South Florida.
KNIGHTPASS
KnightPass is a UCF-branded specialty toll sticker that works on all toll roads throughout Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. KnightPass offers exclusive toll discounts and is available for purchase online and at the UCF bookstore. KnightPass is a product of E-PASS, owned and operated by the Central Florida Expressway Authority. Learn more at www.getknightpass.com