Like every other football team in the country right now, the UCF Knights are unbeaten.
That's cause for some high level of optimism these days for second-year Knights head coach Gus Malzahn.
As Malzahn said again Wednesday morning at the annual UCF Football Fundraising Breakfast at Interlachen Country Club in Winter Park, "We've got a real chance."
Maybe that means games, maybe it translates to championships. Either way, Malzahn and veteran Knight players Ryan O'Keefe, Devonte Brown and Alex Ward who joined him Wednesday at the event sponsored by MPC Wealth and Shutts & Bowen feel good about UCF's fortunes for 2022.
The players had their own perspectives on the months to come:
Said Ward of his decision to return for a final season, "I love this university, I love this football team. I think we have a really good chance to do something special this year and I want to be a part of that. I'm not done being a Knight yet."
Added O'Keefe on his role, "I need to be a leader for the younger guys so we can continue the success we've had.
"Our focus right now is just being one percent better every day. If we all do that we'll all be able to bring something to the table."
Said Brown of last year's injury challenges, "Coach Gus always talks about fighting through adversity, and that was big for us.
"This year, we feel like we have the pieces—we've just got to put in the work."
Added Ward in conclusion, "KZ (former quarterback McKenzie Milton, who was in the audience) helped us build that brand in '17 and '18 to be huge, and it's still getting bigger."
With a year under his belt, Malzahn joins his staff and roster in embracing expectations now that they've finished laying the foundation during a 2021 campaign that finished at 9-4.
"I've said this place is a gold mine, and I believe that more today than ever before," Malzahn said Wednesday.
"Remember when we were up there on that stage after winning the bowl game? I said, 'The best is yet to come.' And I truly believe that.
"You've heard me say we're on the verge of something special. I think everybody feels that. But to truly do something special is not a right, it's about leadership.
"I told our players the other day in our team meeting, 'Here's what I know. We've got a real chance.' We're dreaming every day.
"You're going to hear our players this summer talk about winning championships. They are motivated every day when they come to work out. With successful teams I've been part of, it's all about leadership. It's player-driven.
"This season is a really critical time. We have a chance to seize the moment and grab some momentum.
"We're all in this thing together, and I hope you'll dream with us."
Beyond the upcoming football season, UCF programs eventually are headed to the Big 12 Conference. That clearly has Knights fans excited—and it creates plenty of items for vice president and athletics director Terry Mohajir's to-do list.
Mohajir's first year on campus has not been short of headline-making events—from the Big 12 announcement to a late-season surge in football capped by the Gasparilla Bowl win over Florida, American Athletic Conference titles in volleyball and women's basketball, a first-time NCAA Championship win in women's basketball. All that goes with a 3.34 team grade-point average by UCF student-athletes, plus 100% placement for graduates either in a job or graduate school.
The recently unveiled Mission XII initiative provides Mohajir and Knight fans with a fundraising and financial blueprint for success. All involved understand the challenges ahead when it comes to competing on the fields of play, not to mention finances and facilities.
"Mission XII will help us get to the next level," said Mohajir. "We have the roadmap to get there. We just need the help of Knight Nation to make it happen.
"The achievements of today are our expectations of tomorrow. We can't stop now—we've got to continue to move forward. We're going to continue to grow this thing."
No football game appears on the UCF calendar for another four months.
That doesn't mean the Knights aren't looking forward to being back in the Bounce House this fall.
"It gives me chills coming out of that tunnel," said Brown.
It's safe to say UCF fans can hardly wait.
To help UCF continue to build the future of college athletics support the Knights as we transition to the Big 12 Conference, click here.
