2024 UCF Knights football team

American college football season

2024 UCF Knights football
ConferenceBig 12 Conference
Record0–0 (0–0 Big 12)
Head coach
  • Gus Malzahn (4th season)
Offensive coordinatorTim Harris Jr. (1st season)
Co-offensive coordinatorDarin Hinshaw (2nd season)
Defensive coordinatorTed Roof (1st season)
Co-defensive coordinatorAddison Williams (2nd season)
Home stadiumFBC Mortgage Stadium
Seasons
← 2023
2025 →
2024 Big 12 Conference football standings
  • v
  • t
  • e
 Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Arizona   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Arizona State   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Baylor   0 – 0     0 – 0  
BYU   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Cincinnati   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Colorado   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Houston   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Iowa State   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Kansas   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Kansas State   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Oklahoma State   0 – 0     0 – 0  
TCU   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Texas Tech   0 – 0     0 – 0  
UCF   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Utah   0 – 0     0 – 0  
West Virginia   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Championship: December 7, 2024
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
As of August 1, 2024
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2024 UCF Knights football team will represent the University of Central Florida (UCF) as a member of the Big 12 Conference during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They are led by Gus Malzahn in his 4th year as their head coach. The Knights play their home games at FBC Mortgage Stadium located in Orlando, Florida.

Offseason

Transfers

Incoming

Player Position Previous school
Ja'Varrius Johnson WR Auburn
Agiye Hall WR Texas
Mac McWilliams DB UAB
Keegan Smith IOL Central Michigan
Sheldon Arnold II DB ETSU
Jacoby Jones WR Ohio
Peny Boone RB Louisville
Jacurri Brown QB Miami
Tre'Quon Fegans DB USC
Jack Bernstein LS Georgia State
Nyjalik Kelly DE Miami
Cedrick Hawkins S Ohio State
Evan Morris TE Michigan State
KJ Jefferson QB Arkansas
Ladarius Tennison STAR Ole Miss
Ethan Barr LB Vanderbilt
Jesiah Pierce LB Texas Tech
Antoine Jackson DB East Carolina
Xe'ree Alexander LB Idaho
Jabari Brooks OL Samford
Myles Montgomery RB Cincinnati
Daylon Dotson DE UTM
Zavier Carter DE UNLV
Goldie Lawrence WR Florida State
DeShawn Pace STAR Cincinnati
Byron Threats S Cincinnati
Wes Dorsey OL Western Kentucky
Reece Adkins TE Eastern Kentucky

Outgoing

Player Position Destination
Xavier Williams QB Middle Tennessee
Zavier Carter DE TBD
Jason Duclona DB Liberty
Ja'Maric Morris DB Georgia State
Stephen Martin WR Samford
Goldie Lawrence WR TBD
Nikai Martinez DB Michigan State
Timmy McClain QB Arkansas State
Josh Celiscar DE Texas A&M
Jarvis Ware DB UNLV
KD McDaniel DE Georgia State
Dallaz Corbitt DE Bethune–Cookman
Kervins Choute DT UConn
Isaiah Paul LB TBD
Amari Johnson WR Florida A&M
Corey Thornton DB Louisville
Keenan Cupit LB TBD
Tyler Griffin WR ULM
Jaylon Griffin WR Texas State
Jordan McDonald RB Boston College
Drake Metcalf IOL Virginia
Gunnar Smith QB Highland CC
Fred Davis II DB TBD
Demarkcus Bowman RB TBD

Preseason

Spring game

The 2024 UCF spring exhibition game was played on Friday April 12 at FBC Mortgage Stadium. The team was split into two squads for gameplay, the Knights and the 'Nauts. Two 12-minute halves were followed by a series of player skill challenges. Quarterback KJ Jefferson threw for 271 yards and two touchdown passes.[2]

Date Time Spring Game Site Result
April 12 7:00 pm Knights vs. 'Nauts FBC Mortgage Stadium • Orlando, FL 26-7 'Nauts

Big 12 preseason poll

The preseason poll was released on July 2.[3] First place votes are in parenthesis.

Predicted finish Team Points
1 Utah (20) 906
2 Kansas State (19) 889
3 Oklahoma State (14) 829
4 Kansas (5) 772
5 Arizona (3) 762
6 Iowa State 661
7 West Virginia 581
8 UCF 551
9 Texas Tech 532
10 TCU 436
11 Colorado 400
12 Baylor 268
13 BYU 215
14 Cincinnati 196
15 Houston 157
16 Arizona State 141

Award watch lists

Award Player Position Year
Maxwell Award KJ Jefferson QB Redshirt Sr.
RJ Harvey RB Redshirt Sr.
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Lee Hunter DT Redshirt Jr.
Outland Trophy Lee Hunter DT Redshirt Jr.

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResult
August 297:00 p.m.New Hampshire*ESPN+
September 76:30 p.m.Sam Houston*
  • FBC Mortgage Stadium
  • Orlando, FL
ESPN+
September 147:30 p.m.at TCUFOX
September 28 Colorado
  • FBC Mortgage Stadium
  • Orlando, FL
 
October 5 at Florida* 
October 12 Cincinnati
  • FBC Mortgage Stadium
  • Orlando, FL (rivalry)
 
October 19 at Iowa State 
October 26 BYUdagger
  • FBC Mortgage Stadium
  • Orlando, FL
 
November 2 Arizona
 
November 9 at Arizona State 
November 23 at West Virginia 
November 298:00 p.m.Utah
  • FBC Mortgage Stadium
  • Orlando, FL
FOX

[4]

Game summaries

vs New Hampshire

New Hampshire Wildcats (0–0) vs UCF Knights (0–0) – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Wildcats 0 0 000
Knights 0 0 000

at FBC Mortgage Stadium • Orlando, FL

  • Date: August 29, 2024
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics UNH UCF
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
New Hampshire Passing
Rushing
Receiving
UCF Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Sam Houston

Sam Houston Bearkats (0–0) vs UCF Knights (0–0) – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bearkats 0 0 000
Knights 0 0 000

at FBC Mortgage Stadium • Orlando, FL

  • Date: September 7, 2024
  • Game time: TBD
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics SH UCF
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Sam Houston Passing
Rushing
Receiving
UCF Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at TCU

UCF Knights (0–0) at TCU Horned Frogs (0–0) – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Knights 0 0 000
Horned Frogs 0 0 000

at Amon G. Carter Stadium • Fort Worth, TX

  • Date: September 14, 2024
  • Game time: TBD
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics UCF TCU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
UCF Passing
Rushing
Receiving
TCU Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Colorado

Colorado Buffaloes (0–0) vs UCF Knights (0–0) – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Buffaloes 0 0 000
Knights 0 0 000

at FBC Mortgage Stadium • Orlando, FL

  • Date: September 28, 2024
  • Game time: TBD
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics COL UCF
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Colorado Passing
Rushing
Receiving
UCF Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Florida

UCF Knights (0–0) at Florida Gators (0–0) – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Knights 0 0 000
Gators 0 0 000

at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, FL

  • Date: October 5, 2024
  • Game time: TBD
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics UCF FLA
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
UCF Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Florida Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Cincinnati

Cincinnati Bearcats (0–0) vs UCF Knights (0–0) – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bearcats 0 0 000
Knights 0 0 000

at FBC Mortgage Stadium • Orlando, FL

  • Date: October 12, 2024
  • Game time: TBD
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics CIN UCF
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Cincinnati Passing
Rushing
Receiving
UCF Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Iowa State

UCF Knights (0–0) at Iowa State Cyclones (0–0) – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Knights 0 0 000
Cyclones 0 0 000

at Jack Trice Stadium • Ames, IA

  • Date: October 19, 2024
  • Game time: TBD
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics UCF ISU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
UCF Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Iowa State Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs BYU

BYU Cougars (0–0) vs UCF Knights (0–0) – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cougars 0 0 000
Knights 0 0 000

at FBC Mortgage Stadium • Orlando, FL

  • Date: October 26, 2024
  • Game time: TBD
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics BYU UCF
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
BYU Passing
Rushing
Receiving
UCF Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Arizona

Arizona Wildcats (0–0) vs UCF Knights (0–0) – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Wildcats 0 0 000
Knights 0 0 000

at FBC Mortgage Stadium • Orlando, FL

  • Date: November 2, 2024
  • Game time: TBD
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics ARIZ UCF
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Arizona Passing
Rushing
Receiving
UCF Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Arizona State

UCF Knights (0–0) at Arizona State Sun Devils (0–0) – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Knights 0 0 000
Sun Devils 0 0 000

at Mountain America Stadium • Tempe, AZ

  • Date: November 9, 2024
  • Game time: TBD
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics UCF ASU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
UCF Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Arizona State Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at West Virginia

UCF Knights (0–0) at West Virginia Mountaineers (0–0) – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Knights 0 0 000
Mountaineers 0 0 000

at Milan Puskar Stadium • Morgantown, WV

  • Date: November 23, 2024
  • Game time: TBD
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics UCF WVU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
UCF Passing
Rushing
Receiving
West Virginia Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Utah

Utah Utes (0–0) vs UCF Knights (0–0) – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Utes 0 0 000
Knights 0 0 000

at FBC Mortgage Stadium • Orlando, FL

  • Date: November 29, 2024
  • Game time: TBD
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics UTAH UCF
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Utah Passing
Rushing
Receiving
UCF Passing
Rushing
Receiving

References

  1. ^ "2024 UCF Football Transfer Portal". On3. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  2. ^ Wilson, Justin (April 12, 2024). "UCF Debuts 2024 Squad in Knights vs. 'Nauts Spring Football Game". UCFAthletics.com. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  3. ^ "Utah Picked First in Big 12 Football Media Preseason Poll". Big12Sports.com. July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  4. ^ "2024 UCF Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 6, 2024.