The Disney Bowl I
The University of Central Florida is coming off their biggest win in program history, winning at #8 Louisville, 38-35. Fans were waiting for them after the game to arrive to greet and congratulate them. The players didn’t get caught up in any excitement, maintaining a business-is-not-done mentality.
As some may know, UCF has a longer history in football than their Interstate-4 rival, USF. But USF has had a more glorious history, mainly because USF was able to move up to a BCS conference much quicker. UCF never won a game against USF and has all-time losing records against future AAC members, East Carolina and Tulsa.
But at the moment, in the state of Florida and nationally, USF takes a back seat to UCF. Former Georgia Tech head coach George O’Leary has the Knights making a lot of noise. Beat Penn State at Happy Valley, could have defeated the South Carolina at home and just beat Louisville on the road. This is UCF’s best season ever so far. If the Florida Gators won their game last weekend against Mizzou, the state of Florida would have had 4 ranked teams for the first time.
The school opened in 1968 as the Florida Technological University with the mission of providing personnel to the space program at the Kennedy Space Center. The university’s original nickname was the “Citronauts”, which was changed to the “Golden Knights”, and now the “Knights”. The beginning of UCF football can be traced back to a speech given by the university’s second president, Dr. Trevor Colbourn, in January 1979. Colbourn believed that a successful athletics program would bring the university greater renown, and tasked athletic director Dr. Jack O’Leary with the job of creating a new football program at the school. In addition, Colbourn changed the name of the school to the University of Central Florida, to express the university’s expanded academic scope.
The football program started out in Division III in the fall of 1979 as an independent and remained independent as the program rose to Division II after three years in 1982, then to the FCS in 1990, then to the FBS in 1996 and finally joined a conference in 2002, the MAC. During their time as an FBS independent, UCF was able to scare some SEC programs, eventually defeating Alabama in 2000, 40-38. UCF remained in the MAC for three years before joining C-USA in 2005. After eight years in the C-USA, they joined our present conference, the AAC.
Somehow, early on in the program’s history, UCF managed to hire the New England Patriots’ first coach and possible cousin of Nick Saban, Lou Saban, while they were a Division III program, but he lasted less than 2 seasons. He was fired after a 1-6 start in his second season in 1983. UCF was able to draw crowds of 20 to 30 thousand as a Division II program. They had home crowds of 22,641 against New Haven and 22,429 against Southern Connecticut in 1988.
UCF now has the second largest enrollment in the country.
First Howard Schnellenberger at Miami, then Bobby Bowden at FSU, then Steve Spurrier at UF won national titles. New to the BCS, Jim Leavitt at USF and now George O’Leary at UCF helped their programs rise to the top 25. Florida has 5 programs that have top 25 potential.
On the other hand, UConn is off to it’s worst start in 33 years. Our offensive line has shown they can block for the running game but can’t protect the QB. Cincinnati’s pass rush made way for three interceptions and eight sacks. Weist may have gone mad scientist with the offense during his two first games as the interim head coach, trying to develop and figure out an identity for the offense. Developing the offense, step by step. USF was used to work on running and give Boyle initial exposure. Cincinnati was used to work on passing. Bad special teams plays gave the Bearcats a short field or UConn a long field. Kicking unit was still missing FGs. UConn was moderately successful in stuffing the Bearcats rushing game, but allowed big runs and not tackling well at times, and couldn’t stop big passes. Slowing down the Bearcats’ passing game was a key to the game. Penalties also made life harder for UConn. That game emphasized continual weaknesses in pass defense, pass protection and special teams for the Huskies.
UConn has been playing as if they are nursing a baby since Weist took over and Boyle became the starting quarterback. Giving Boyle exposure to the environment and readjusting the offensive line, with Foley returning as the offensive line coach. The offensive line has been somewhat holding up but not anywhere near well enough. Changes and adjustments on the depth chart were made and are still being made and have proved to be beneficial after two games. Boyle is improving and Hyppolite and DeLorenzo had the Bearcats’ defense guessing. Boyle led his first TD drive in his 7th quarter of college football play. Could have scored more touchdowns but opportunities were squandered.
This is our first game against UCF. Unfortunately for us, UCF is flying high. Very effective offense, defense, and special teams give us the best shot to win. In other words, we’re going to need a complete game in all facets. That is what we are up against. Going to need a lot of errors or turnovers by UCF or going to have to outgain and outscore UCF. UCF has run for at least one touchdown in 16 straight games, the seventh-longest active streak in the FBS.
Our team will have to play with heart. UCF will definitely be playing with heart. They are aiming for a BCS bowl.
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